Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 472 i Yours Magazine

Well done to us, we’ve almost made it through January. I find it challenging to stay as positive as I’d like to at this time of year but spending time with my two gorgeous cats Freddie and Bernie is always guaranteed to put a smile on my face. So, it comes as no surprise to me that Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes feels so strongly that animals have improved his life, he’s written a book about them. In our exclusive chat he reveals why he believes pets have made him a better person and talks about his voluntary work taking dogs and horses along to local hospices to comfort patients. For more tips on banishing those winter blues turn to page 36 to read our expert guide packed with easy…

At 41, TV’s Helen Skelton has already achieved more things than many can dream of in a lifetime. Alongside a TV career spanning nearly two decades that’s seen her work on shows including Blue Peter, Countryfile and Morning Live, Helen has kayaked across the Amazon, taken part in countless ultra-marathons, covered a 150m tightrope walk at Battersea Power Station and become the first person to ride a bicycle to the South Pole. She is also a single mum to her children Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and Elsie, three. Helen shares them with her ex-husband Richie Myler, who she split from nearly three years ago. So it’s no surprise to discover that go-getting Helen has no New Year resolutions to change her life over the next 12 months. ‘People go “new…

A new frog species, smaller than a fingernail has been discovered in a rainforest in Brazil. Nicknamed ‘flea toads’ (even though they’re frogs!) adults measure less than 1cm long. Researchers studying these miniature creatures in the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot, are fascinated, saying, ‘Despite being among the smallest frogs globally, they exhibit skeletal traits typical of larger frogs.’ Sniffer dogs usually patrol airports and train stations looking for contraband, but the UK government is now training hounds to hunt down forest-harming pests. Ivor, a six-year-old spanador, successfully identified water mould, a highly destructive, algae-like tree disease. Dr Heather Dun, pathologist at Forest Research said, ‘The results from the trials have been incredibly encouraging, with a first-time 80% detection rate highlighting the huge potential of dogs in our fight against…

GORGEOUS GINGHAM A fitted shirt and tailored coat will add a polished and put-together vibe to your daytime attire. SPORTS STARS Casual yet chic basics like joggers and slogan sweatshirts are perfect for a low-key weekend. PRINTED FROCK A printed dress will take you seamlessly from season to season. Right now, layer it under a cosy cardi and finish with boots. TONAL TOUCHES Perk up your navy ensemble by adding in pops of purple or pink with separates and accessories. ONE-PIECE WONDER A plain jumpsuit can be styled in a multitude of ways for a completely different spin each time.…

Chicken dhansak curry Serves: 4 Takes: 1hr 10min, plus standing Cost per serving £1.67 ■ 8 chicken thighs, skin on and on the bone ■ Salt ■ Juice of 1 lemon ■ 2tbsp olive or coconut oil ■ 2 large onions, finely sliced ■ 15g root ginger, grated ■ 6 garlic cloves, crushed ■ 2tbsp dhansak curry powder, plus extra for sprinkling (optional) ■ 2tbsp tomato purée ■ 2tbsp tamarind paste ■ 150g split red lentils, well rinsed ■ 500ml chicken stock ■ 2 bay leaves 1 Season the chicken with plenty of salt, then pour over the lemon juice and leave to stand for 30min. 2 Heat the olive or coconut oil in a large flameproof casserole dish or a sauté pan. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and…

NEWS YOU CAN USE BE CREDIT SMART If you’re dealing with a big credit card bill from Christmas expenses, focus on paying off more than the minimum each month. While minimum payment means you won’t face additional charges for late or under-payment, unless you are using a card with an interest-free offer, interest will be added your debt, so it will take longer to pay off the balance. ‘Speed up credit card clearing by fixing your monthly payment to be a bit more than the current minimum, round £43 up to £45, for instance. This small change takes years off the time to clear the card,’ says Sara Williams, a debt adviser for 20 years who writes about money on Instagram @debtcamel. ‘If you can make a small extra “snowflake”…

What a way to launch the new decade on BBC2. In January 1970, the first of six 90-minute dramas, each based on one of the six wives of Henry VIII, went out on Thursday nights. It was a gamble, as Anne Stallybrass who played Jane Seymour recalled, ‘Not one of us thought we were involved in a success while we were making it.’ But the BBC drama department had two powerful secret weapons. An extraordinary Australian, Keith Michell, playing the title role – and the genius of costume designer, John Bloomfield. Tall, handsome Keith Michell, 34, was an experienced classical actor. His impressive vocal range (he was also a singer) was fully deployed as he aged from a golden-haired young god of 18 to a corpulent 56-year-old, in heavily padded…

What you’re reading…. Dead Man’s Shoes by Marion Todd (Canelo Crime, £9.99) ‘A gripping police procedural with great characters,’ says Janet Ward. When a young man is found dead outside a nightclub DI Mackay suspects it to be the work of a serial killer who has been targeting gay men across the country. But the victim has links to notorious criminals in the area and Clare’s quest for justice begins to put both her job and her life on the line. The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase (Penguin, £9.99) ‘It kept me spellbound,’ says Ingrid Porter. When 17-year-old Maggie’s mother disappears, she is forced to live on her wits, drawn into a dark web of shadowy figures. Two decades later, the clock is ticking on a secret that is set…

Helen, 63, from Portsmouth, has been living in Spain for the past five years and is now looking to meet local people of a similar age. She enjoys the theatre, walking and dining/days out. JAN2-101 Ann, 78, from Oxford, enjoys reading, music, walking, keeping fit, holidays and eating in/out. She would like to meet a gentleman with similar interests. Oxon/Bucks area. JAN2-102 Elaine, 64, from Surrey, is looking for penpals from any area. She likes rock music, cats, watching TV and collects brooches. JAN2-103 Youthful Mr Dee, 70s, is a cheerful gentleman. He is hoping to meet a lady with an easy-going personality. He is a non-smoker and enjoys music, nature and chit-chat. Peterborough/surrounding area. JAN2-104 Married Irene, 57, would like penpals from any area, male/female. Her hobbies include card…

Wordsearch Explore more than 60 years of cinema history with this wordsearch on the films of Michael Caine. ANSWERS ON PAGE 96 A BRIDGE TOO FAR ALFIE BATMAN BEGINS BATTLE OF BRITAIN CALIFORNIA SUITE CHILDREN OF MEN EDUCATING RITA GAMBIT GET CARTER INCEPTION INTERSTELLAR KIDNAPPED LAST ORDERS MISS CONGENIALITY MONA LISA NOISES OFF PULP SLEUTH TENET THE CIDER HOUSE RULES THE DARK KNIGHT THE GREAT ESCAPER THE IPCRESS FILE THE ITALIAN JOB THE MAGUS THE PRESTIGE WITHOUT A CLUE YOUTH ZULU WIN £100 WHERE IS SAMMY SQUIRREL? Find where he’s hiding in this issue of Yours and you could win £100. To enter, fill in the Competitions answers coupon on page 96. Closing date for entries is 10 February 2025. More prizes to win at yours.co.uk WIN £50! TWO £50…

If it’s your birthday this fortnight… SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC There could be quite a turning point being reached just now, possibly one that’s slightly daunting, yet works well. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN A new moon on 29 January brings the chance to switch things up a bit. Believe and achieve! ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS 21 JAN-18 FEB A powerful new moon on 29 January heralds opportunities, making space for a new era, spreading your wings, expressing yourself more. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705710 PISCES 19 FEB-20 MARCH Your emotions are stirred and you’ll soak in new experiences. A change of setting works wonders for your soul now. ■ For a weekly update call…

RIP JOHNNIE At the end of his life, veteran BBC DJ Johnnie Walker reminded us all that he wasn’t just a brilliant broadcaster, he was a brave, compassionate man, too. During his long struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Johnnie never disappointed his listeners. He broadcast his popular Radio 2 Sounds of the 70s show from home almost up to his death aged 79 last month. He also voiced concern for his wife, saying, ‘Tiggy very lovingly helps me get into bed and gives me a nice kiss goodnight and then she has to wonder whether I’m still going to be alive in the morning. Which must be pretty hard for her.’ Corrie’s Sue EMBRACES change There’s no doubt that Corrie fans everywhere will miss feisty Eileen Grimshaw when she leaves…

It has been more than 30 years since Penny Smith made her television debut as a newsreader on GMTV, staying at the now-defunct show for 17 years before leaving in 2010. Still a fixture in broadcasting, Penny now hosts the mid-morning show on Magic Classical, which she loves. ‘I waffle on about pretty much anything that occurs to me as we go along,’ Penny laughs as she sits down with Yours to discuss her radio show, lasting friendships with her GMTV co-hosts, her partnership with Age UK and whether we’ll see her back on reality TV (she appeared on TV singing show Just the Two of Us in 2006, finishing in fourth place). Are you still friends with the GMTV team? I had dinner with John Stapleton two nights ago!…

Walking through the door, a little figure made a beeline towards me. Aoife was my first grandchild and I adored her. She’d started crawling at 18 months old and there was no stopping her. I was determined to keep up with her and went to aqua aerobics to stay fit. But after one session, in February 2023, I found myself climbing out of the pool with aching legs. Back home in Purley, London, my legs were like jelly and I felt ropey. I made an appointment with the GP, but then, when I was halfway through pulling on my trousers, my legs just gave way. I called out for my husband Tom, but he couldn’t lift me and phoned for an ambulance. Terrified, I lay on the floor like a…

REDUCE REDNESS For a no-fuss solution, try these clarifying stickers with centella asiatica to reduce redness and promote a clearer complexion. CLEAR UP SPOTS Designed to target individual blemishes, this fast-acting treatment uses a blend of wheat extract and vitamin A to rapidly soothe and clear up pimples. SPEED UP HEALING This LED stick delivers fast results – apply for 2-3 minutes and, by the next day, your spot will be significantly smaller and less red. DETOX YOUR SKIN Not only does this detoxifying face oil fight acne-causing bacteria, but it also provides skin with black cumin seed oil to treat and prevent pimples. PREVENT BREAKOUTS Try this daily acne serum with glycolic and mandelic acids to target blemishes on contact. SMOOTH YOUR SKIN The glycolic and lactic acids in…

Ensure your accessories stand out with floating shelves and a splash of cobalt blue Accent your home with this vibrant colour, it’s a great way to bring any room to life…

Difficulty rating: Gerbera YOU WILL NEED □ Small amounts of DK yarn in cerise (A), red (B) and brown (C) □ Pair of 3.75mm (UK9) knitting needles □ Tapestry needle ABBREVIATIONS St(s) = stitch(es) p = purl k = knit pwise = purlwise rep = repeat rem = remaining m1 = make one stitch k2tog = knit 2 stitches together sl = slip one stitch psso = pass slipped stitch over ■ Can’t get this yarn? Find an alternative at yarnsub.com TIP: The petals are made in one piece by casting off and on stitches. Two layers form the main part of the flower. The centre is a rolled tab with a shaped bobble in the middle. Main piece (make 2) Using A, cast on 12 sts. Row 1: P.…

Nothing dates quicker than the latest fashion, they say and, in terms of comedy, that’s satire – most precisely, popular culture references. This was the pitfall for impressionist extraordinaire Florence Desmond, whose expertise lay in pitch-perfect recreations of the Hollywood stars of the day. Her day. The Thirties. Some of the great and the good Florence could impersonate have – just about – stood the test of time, notably bulbous-nosed vaudeville comedian Jimmy Durante, and Lancashire lass Gracie Fields, but others, such as German tragedian Elisabeth Bergner and scatty comedienne ZaSu Pitts linger in the recesses of history. All were showcased in Florence’s double A-side record Hollywood Party, released on the His Master’s Voice label. Florence had made her West End debut in 1931 in the Cambridge Theatre revue, Charlot’s…

£10 cheque for every letter published Never too late ◆ I’ve been obsessed with history since primary school, to the extent that I can only read books with historical content. I had always wished to be an historian, but life often gets in the way. My favourite historian is Dan Jones and I met him at Winchester history weekend a few years ago. I use the word ‘met’ loosely as he handed me a young lady’s phone and asked if I would take their photo! After retiring I met a lady who runs an over-65s club for Age UK and she asked if I would give a history talk for them. I was thrilled and it went down so well I now do them regularly. I enjoyed visiting the club…

Podcast How did some of history’s greatest thinkers, including Marie Curie and Nikola Tesla, come up with their big ideas? Were they just born geniuses, or did their personal circumstances help to shape their minds? Those are some of the big questions Naomi Alderman is tackling in her landmark Radio 4 series Human Intelligence, which is also available as a podcast. Find on BBC Sounds. Film Director Mike Leigh has reunited with his Secrets & Lies star Marianne Jean-Baptiste for his acclaimed new drama, Hard Truths. It follows Pansy (Jean-Baptiste), whose depression and anger threaten to push everyone away, apart from her kindly, easy-going sister Chantelle (Michele Austin). In cinemas 31 January. Theatre Award-winning West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher is bringing the Deadwood Stage over the plains and to…

Dear readers, I’m weeks away from turning 63, so I don’t know how what I’m about to say can be true – but rest assured I mean every word. After six-plus decades roving this planet, I’m still plunged into a trough of abject despair when the pine needles have been vacuumed up and the baubles stowed away under the stairs, and it’s impossible to swerve the nasty wretched realisation that there are still at least four cold cheerless months till spring bursts through. It’s childish, I know. Obviously, we don’t leap straight from Christmas stockings to bikinis. Yet, I can’t help being overwhelmed with shock every time. ‘Behave like your own Fairy Godmother’ Here’s my recipe for coping with post-Yule pessimism. If there’s anything left in the coffers, blow it…

MY LIFE lessons There’s nothing Kelly Holmes can’t do. After joining the Army at 18, she went on to become a successful athlete – winning gold medals for both 800- and 1500-metre distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and, once she retired in 2005, she turned her hand to TV presenting. Now a regular panellist on Loose Women, Kelly, 54, often speaks about her struggles with mental health, particularly during her Olympian days, and the impact of being gay in the military at a time when it was illegal. Despite all she’s accomplished, she’s still learning new life lessons each day… Diversity is a strength Loose Women has been a journey because I’ve never been used to normal conversation, such as chit chat, so I have to swallow…

Handing Norman his cuppa, I sat down with mine. ‘Let’s see what’s on TV,’ I said. I put the news on and we couldn’t believe it. ‘Queen Elizabeth II has passed away,’ the news presenter solemnly announced. After a few minutes of silence, Norman said, ‘I’m not a royalist, but I’m a Queenist.’ ‘So am I, she has served her country wonderfully,’ I agreed. A couple of days later, Norman texted me, when the Queen was lying in state, and asked, ‘Are you game?’ Confused, I texted back: ‘Game for what?’ ‘Game to queue and pay our respects to the Queen,’ he replied. The queue was hours long and, at 87 I was concerned about the physical toll it might take. But I wanted to spend time with Norman, and…

BETTY JOAN PERSKE The daughter of Jewish immigrants, Betty was born on 16 September 1924, in New York. Her father left when she was six and her mother reverted to using her grandmother’s maiden name Bacal (and added the second L). Later, when Hollywood director Howard Hawks and his wife Nancy discovered the young actress they suggested changing her first name to Lauren make her sound ‘less Jewish’. Bacall was never comfortable with the change and her close friends always called her Betty. DID YOU KNOW? The Wizard of Oz Star Judy Garland was originally called Frances Ethel Gumm and performed with her siblings as The Gumm Sisters. ISSUR DANIELOVITCH Born on 9 December 1916, in Amsterdam, New York, ‘Izzy’ was the only boy in a family of seven children.…

Every 90 seconds, someone with a brain injury is admitted to hospital in the UK. The life-long effects for survivors, their families and carers can be devastating. Headway is a UK-wide charity dedicated to improving the lives of people who have suffered a brain injury. If you’d like to volunteer for Headway, the organisation is looking for people to help out in its local groups and branches. You could give administrative help for a few hours a week, distribute leaflets, organise outings, or help with the telephone information line and provide computer skills. Administrative support is also needed at Headway’s offices in Nottingham and London. You could become an assistant in the organisation’s charity shops – you would receive full training to carry out tasks, including creating window displays and…

Our true heroes * Without first responders, our lives would be far more difficult. If it wasn’t for the bravery and skills of those who protect us, we wouldn’t have the peace of mind that comes with their presence and abilities. So, I wish to thank midwives, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians who are putting life and limb on the line to save lives when they are called upon. They are the heroes who show up at our darkest hours and put themselves in the way of harm in the hope of saving your day. I am proud to say my brother is a firefighter, my son a policeman, my niece a midwife and my nephew a paramedic. Chani Saunders, Barnstaple, Devon Yours says: Well said Chani. Indeed, these…

Lord Alan Sugar is still investing in those who want to make it in business and have proved they have what it takes to succeed. Once again he has Baroness Karren Brady, 55, and Tim Campbell, 47, as his eyes and ears as The Apprentice contestants try and show a flair for making both money and the right call in a series of new challenges. And Lord Sugar reckons it will be hard to choose! How do you think this series stands out? We find that the quality of the candidates gets better and better, and it’s important because they make the show. We start off with a great trip to Austria which sets the tone for the series. We also have lots of really good tasks, from buying and…