Table of contents for 2 October 2025 in Chat

Welcome to this week’s Chat… When we read about Sarah-Jayne’s campaign, we knew we had to get behind it. Her sister Holly was brutally murdered by her partner after he subjected her to years of control and terror, which included killing her beloved pets. Now, Sarah-Jayne and her mum Annette are campaigning for Holly’s Law, giving people the right to know if a new partner has a history of animal abuse. They hope it will save lives – and so do we. Read their heartbreaking story and find out how to help on p6.…

Sarah-Jayne Lindop, 43, Lincolnshire Hiding her face behind her fingers, my little sister Holly, then 11, started to count as children scattered around the garden. ‘Ready or not, here I come!’ she called. Holly loved kids. Good job. There were 14 of us siblings and Holly was one of a set of triplets. She liked helping with bath and bedtime for the littler ones. It wasn’t just children she was protective over. She loved all animals, from the hedgehogs living in the garden to the ducks at the park. I realised how deeply this boy had his claws into Holly And when she wasn’t playing with real babies, she’d fuss over her dolls. Then 25, I’d moved away to Sheffield but often made the hour-and-a-half journey home to see my…

Caroline Ronsseray, 44, London True-life PATIENT CASEBOOK Hearing giggles from the next room, I smiled. It was November 2018 and my little ones, Apolline, then 6, Gaspard, 3, and Josephine, 1, loved playing together. But moments later, Gaspard ran in. ‘My tummy hurts,’ he whimpered. For weeks, he’d been struggling with constipation. Meds from the doc weren’t helping, and he was waking at night, sweaty, with pain in his leg. I took him to see the GP again, but blood tests came back clear. My chatty, energetic boy grew quiet and pale. Stopped playing with his sisters. ‘He’s not himself,’ I told my husband Ben, then 37. The following month, the doctor ordered a scan, but Gaspard was so constipated, it was impossible to see anything. We were due back…

Tanya Jenkinson, 38, Manchester Rewinding the YouTube video as I watched it for the umpteenth time, I grimaced. There was me, in my work uniform, telling an influencer that he couldn’t come into the BBC building to film. All in a day’s work as part of the security job I’d done for the last two years. What I hadn’t bargained for was the comments from viewers. Not about the pesky influencer, but about me and my weight. Her front bum is bigger than her back bum, one said. Look at the size of her, another person wrote. The 15-minute clip had been seen thousands of times, with hundreds of comments, mostly about my size. It was February 2020 and I’d been on a 12-hour shift at the Manchester office when…

My in-laws won’t back off Q I love my hubby’s family but since we moved closer, I feel like I see them more than him! They’re constantly in and out while I’m trying to work from home and always give me advice on how they’d decorate or DIY jobs they think we need to do. It’s driving me crazy. I don’t want to jeopardise our relationship but I need a break! How do I set boundaries? Paige, 34 A Flower, it’s not your job to make others feel comfortable at the expense of your sanity. You can set boundaries without being rude or disrespectful. Explain that while you’re working from home, they can’t pop in but that you’d love to see them in the evening. Or take advantage of this.…

3 ways to.. save on energy Prep now to help keep your home cosy for less in the chilly months 1 Get the basics right Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy – and money – in any type of building, says Energy Saving Trust. The organisation says draught-proofing around windows and doors could save you around £40 a year on energy bills (or £45 in Northern Ireland). If you’ve got a chimney, you can get draft excluders that fit inside the chimney or around the fireplace to stop warm air going up and cold draughts getting in when you’re not using it. Just remember to remove it before you light the fire! Find out more about these at energysavingtrust.org.uk. Also, draught-free homes are…

Big Brother 2025 ITV2 ● AJ Odudu and Will Best return to host a new series of the iconic reality show as a fresh batch of housemates enter the Big Brother house. As usual, expect twists and turns as cameras capture the occupants’ every move while they try to swerve eviction and nab the top cash prize. Will and AJ will preside over the weekly evictions and quiz the departing housemates, as well as hosting nightly companion show Late & Live. Once again, it’s up to the public who stays and who goes, with one person ultimately taking the crown from last year’s winner, Ali Bromley. DON’T MISS DON’T MISS Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue BBC1 ● Will & Grace’s Eric McCormack and Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney are…

Tracy Gow, 45, Falkirk Sitting on a bench opposite the stadium, I was buzzing. ‘I can’t wait for tomorrow!’ I said to my partner, Luke, then 31. It was April 2023 and we were in Nashville, listening to American country singer Luke Combs in the distance. We had tickets for the next day and wanted to soak up the atmosphere. And our first holiday together was about to get even better. Luke turned to me and asked, ‘Marry me?’ Of course I said yes. Me and Luke had been together six months, but we’d known each other since 2020. He’d been a regular at the pub where I worked. A fave with the locals, he was fun, great on karaoke. I’d been weary of men after a few bad relationships.…

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LOAFERS STYLE TIP Choose sleek, minimal loafers and match the tone to your belt and bag for a sharp workwear look. TRAINERS STYLE TIP Make a statement with colourful trainers and add to a neutral outfit for a burst of colour. BALLET STYLE TIP Look for pairs with cute details like bows or studs as an easy way to make a simple outfit pop. CLOGS STYLE TIP The perfect accompaniment to a pair of jeans. Add chunky knit socks in neutral tones for a cosy touch. FROM £10…

Can I take oestrogen? Q I have oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and take letrozole, which lowers my oestrogen levels to zero. It makes my vagina feel dry and itchy. Would vaginal oestrogen help? My oncologist won’t prescribe it. Izzie, Barnsley A Aromatase inhibitors like letrozole – used for this type of breast cancer – can cause vulvar discomfort. While vaginal oestrogen can help, some oncologists won’t prescribe it due to concerns about breast cancer coming back. Try discussing this with your oncologist again in detail. Meanwhile, you might consider using vaginal moisturisers daily and lubricants for sex. If you’re still having issues, low-dose oestrogen products like Blissel gel and Imvaggis pessaries may be safe options. Seeking a second opinion from another oncologist or a sexual health specialist may also help.…

Founded in 1845, the Royal Agricultural University is found on the outskirts of which British town? To find out, solve the puzzle… Add a letter anywhere in each of the boxed-off words to fit the clue, eg, Move quickly = SOOT + C = SCOOT. Write the added letter in the space provided. Read down the added letters to spell out the prize answer. WIN 2x £25 Puzzle 9 Move quickly Devil Barbecue Perspire Raves angrily Bad habits Silent Jokes Water vapour Female horses Boasts Your answer: TO ENTER Turn to page 56 for details or visit comps.lifedeathprizes.com/puzzles…

When Eden wants to get up in the morning, it’s not as simple as it sounds. While most of us just roll over and get out of bed, it can take Eden three to four hours. Even with help, simple daily tasks are a challenge for the 26-year-old. She says, ‘It can get frustrating, but I think I’ve been doing it so long that I just get so used to it.’ She has Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, which affects her muscle control, including her breathing, so she uses a ventilator. In total, she relies on seven different machines that help with her breathing and ultimately keep her alive. Her condition is genetic, but when Eden was younger, she was stronger and could move around on her knees. However, as she…

Louise Butcher, 52, North Devon Lacing up my trainers, I yelled goodbye to my husband, Paul, then 52, and sped out the front door. Running had always been my therapy. Getting out for a jog was the remedy to my problems, whether it was a bad day at work or feeling anxious about something. And here it was helping me in a worrying time. It was April 2022, and I was on my way to the clinic for an ultrasound. My GP had referred me after I’d found a thickening on my left breast. But I’d only had a clear mammogram just a few weeks before. ‘Just for peace of mind,’ she explained. Turning up after the five-mile run to the clinic, I felt ready for anything. During the ultrasound,…

Rebecca Mullock, 33, from Paignton What’s an interesting fact that most people don’t know about you? I can play a tune or two on the ukulele. I own a pink ukulele my husband Dave bought me from a shop in York many years ago. If you could time travel to any era of history, when would you choose? The Victorian era. I really enjoy watching period dramas set at that time. Do you prefer sweet or savoury? I would have to say savoury. I like sweet treats but could never give up things like crisps, eggs and bread. What’s your guilty- pleasure TV programme? Anything about houses. Recently, I’ve been watching Love It or List It and Location, Location, Location. WE PAY £50 to everyone we feature on this page! What’s…

The neotropical forest bioregion known as the Yungas is located on the slopes of what mountain range? The number next to the clue tells you which line the answer’s in. We’ve put a section in to start you off! There may be two Across answers in one line. Down words fill themselves in. The shaded squares spell the prize answer. WIN £100 Puzzle 2 1 Block of bread • Stinging insect 3 Squeeze box 5 Ancient • _ Old Iron, music hall song 7 Ticket for two-way travel in 24 hour period (3,6) 9 Office furniture • Shop selling cooked meats and cheeses Your answer:…

YOU’RE THE JUDGE! Karen Read hadn’t heard from John O’Keefe for years. The pair had met in 2004 at John’s sister’s birthday. They’d exchanged phone numbers and dated for a few months, but soon went their separate ways. Then, in 2020, the early days of the pandemic, John, then 44, sent Karen, 40, a Facebook message. Hey, blast from the past! Karen and John had much to catch up on. During the years they’d lost touch, Karen had been through 10 abdominal surgeries, followed by a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Together in tragedy John had suffered family tragedies, with his sister dying from brain cancer and her husband suffering a fatal heart attack. He’d stepped in to take care of their children. Karen was impressed by John’s…

1 Share your worry If you’re nervous about having a blood test, the first thing you should do is make sure whoever is taking your blood knows that you’re nervous. ‘Give them details about your experiences in the past, for example, if you have felt faint or nauseous,’ says GP Dr Neel Patel from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor*. ‘Doctors and nurses encounter anxious patients all the time and will be able to make adjustments, such as reclining your chair or having you lie down.’ 2 Follow instructions The healthcare professional who arranges your blood test should inform you if there are any specific ways you need to prepare. ‘For example, some blood tests require you to stop taking certain medications,’ says Dr Patel. 3 Fill your belly Make time to have something to eat before…

Charlotte Gascoigne, 64, North London Ankle-deep in soil, I struggled to chat with the lady beside me. ‘It’s getting even heavier,’ I groaned, as the rain lashed down on us. We soon abandoned our digging, waiting for it to stop. It was October 2015, and I was with 12 volunteers gardening outside the Royal Free Hospital, London. We’d all given up our time to volunteer to tidy up the gardens. It was hard graft, but I was loving it. And I was making some wonderful friends. It all started back in May 2015, after me and some neighbours agreed that the hospital gardens were an eyesore. Forgotten, messy and overgrown. Wanting to give staff and patients a nice place to go, we’d decided to tackle the bushes and weeds ourselves.…

Alisha Burns, 45 Clinking glasses of fizz with my besties, we couldn’t stop giggling at the massive chart I’d just pinned on the livingroom wall. On it, 11 male faces looked back at us and under each pic were names, hobbies, jobs, details of their looks… I’d invited three of my mates over for a very important reason. ‘Ladies, it’s time to choose our favourite fella,’ I declared to Katie, Sarah and Jess. It was August 2019 and I’d had a tough few years. I’d suffered a devastating stillbirth and my marriage fell apart. Desperate for a baby, I’d then thrown myself into the dating scene. But after meeting nothing but duds on the apps, I’d come to a decision. At 38, I didn’t have endless time to find Mr…

Chicken parmigiana Crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle, this is chicken at its best! SERVES 4 PREP 10 MINS COOK 25 MINS 50g breadcrumbs 50g parmesan, finely grated 1tsp dried oregano ½tsp ground black pepper 1 medium egg, beaten 2 large skinless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise  50g mozzarella, grated 2 × 400g tins baked beans Green salad, to serve Parsley, to serve (optional) Take two shallow bowls. Mix the breadcrumbs, half the parmesan, oregano and pepper in one. In the other, add the egg. Put onto a lined baking tray and bake for 20 mins until golden and crisp. Put the cooked chicken in an oven-proof dish, then top withthe beans and finish with the grated mozzarella and remaining parmesan. Serve with the salad and parsley, if…

Aries 21 March-20 April The Full Moon in Aries this month helps you take charge of a situation that’s been causing you stress. You know what to do, so act on your inspiration. ● Call 0905 817 0690* for more Taurus 21 April-21 May Occasionally, your faith can waver, especially if you’re unsure of the plan. Focus on what’s in front of you, one step at a time, then things will become clearer. ● Call 0905 817 0691* for more Gemini 22 May-21 June Uranus has been in Gemini for a few months, shaking up the status quo. If you feel unsettled, think about acting on some of the ideas that you have had. ● Call 0905 817 0692* for more Cancer 22 June-23 July You’re getting back some of…

Q What are peptides, and what do they do? How can I use them in my skincare routine? Charlotte Daniels, Lancaster A Skincare containing peptides is booming, and for good reason. They’re building blocks that help support the structure of your skin cells, making them stronger and more resilient. Peptides already exist in our bodies, but like a lot of the good stuff (like collagen, keratin and elastin), they deplete as we age. Using it in your routine can help top up the levels in your skin cells, leaving your face looking firmer and plumper. A peptide serum is the best way to get the benefits – they deliver the ingredient deeper into the skin and can get to work quicker. The Inkey List Collagen Peptide Serum, £15, Boots, is…

When Peter Keller started visiting the woods with his dog, Dino, his wife Lynnettee didn’t think much of it. She assumed her hubby had found himself a harmless hobby. After all, he was a good man. Peter had supported her through a painful back condition that had left her unable to work. He’d even bought her a recliner to make her more comfortable at home. ‘He takes care of me even though I can’t go back to work and I’m home in pain all the time,’ she said in a video posted online, where she called her husband the love of her life. Peter, Lynnettee and their teenage daughter, Kaylene, all liked to post videos of themselves on YouTube. Kaylene filmed her dad with Dino, while Lynnettee, who made and…

Chat winners issue 27 (3 July 2025) Anyone from your town in the list this week..? £1,001 CASH C Wadsworth, Huddersfield £500 CASH J Harding, Leeds N Pollard, Chester £250 CASH L Johnson, Sandhurst L Redman, Nottingham £200 CASH S Offord, Warrington £100 CASH S Savill, Eye L Reynolds, Wolverhampton H Ball, Leeds £75 CASH S Doyle, Gillingham £50 CASH C Brown, Pontefract L Duff, Reading M Harris, Cambridge A Bone, Winchester J Atkins, Norwich K Selwood, Wantage £40 CASH A James, Telford £30 CASH R Hart, Maldon S Gerring, Faringdon £25 CASH M Knights, Thornton Cleveleys D Norman, Torquay £20 CASH V Marshall, Colchester M Hickling, Huddersfield M Lockwood, Sheffield S Holmes, Stourbridge M Constance, Chard K Hayman, Edinburgh M Goose, Peterborough J Cawley, Manchester M Morton, Brighouse D Charles,…

Dear Eileen, Before I met you 17 years ago, I was a broken man. I had worked myself into the ground as a gardener, just trying to survive. Stressed and under pressure, I developed depression, anxiety and had started self harming. I couldn’t even go on a bus or to the shops. I dared not leave my front door alone. Staying at home, my mental health spiralled. You never judged me, and were so supportive One day in 2008, it got so bad, I tried to end it all. If my neighbour hadn’t found me… well, it doesn’t bear thinking about. After that, I was sent to a mental health respite home for a week. I arrived feeling completely lost, so alone. But then I met you, Eileen. I was…