Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 498 i Yours Magazine

In this issue, royal expert Jennie Bond exclusively tells us how King Charles's close bond with his daughter-in-law, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who recently battled the disease herself, has supported him in his fight against cancer. He has been able to reduce his treatment and Charles, 77, described this milestone in his recovery as ‘a personal blessing’ and praised ‘the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years’. He's right. It has been more than 25 years since I lost a dear aunt to this devastating illness, a disease that shows no respect for age or lifestyle. My aunt was only 45 when she died after a difficult two-year battle with breast cancer. I don't think there are many people who haven't been affected by…

The nation rejoiced when King Charles announced in December that his cancer treatment had been effective, meaning it could be scaled back. The news comes a year after the Princess of Wales happily revealed she was in remission from her own cancer diagnosis. And royal expert Jennie Bond tells Yours that the two ultimately found strength in one another as they battled their separate illnesses. ‘It was extraordinary enough that they were in the same hospital at the same time and then to get the diagnoses one after the other was almost unbelievable. A huge shock for each of them, but instantly it was one that they could share with one another – their feelings, their emotions, perhaps even their tears,’ Jennie tell us. ‘I'm sure there were many conversations…

It's been over three decades since Pauline McLynn carved a name for herself as Father Ted's beloved, tea-obsessed housekeeper Mrs Doyle. The much-loved comedy captivated audiences across the UK and Ireland and served as the launch pad for Pauline's acting career, helping her land roles in Channel 5 drama The Inheritance, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders’ sitcom, Jam and Jerusalem, and EastEnders. But Pauline's talents extend beyond the TV screen. In 2000, the Irish-born actress took up writing and is now a successful novelist with eight published books. She also has her own online shop, selling her personally hand-knitted tea cosies. And last October, her jam-packed schedule became even busier as she made her debut on the Coronation Street cobbles as fiery new landlady of the Rovers Return, Maggie Driscoll.…

DE-PUFF SKIN Flu season doesn't just drain your body, it can leave your skin looking puffy and tired too. Blocked sinuses often cause fluid build-up, especially around the eyes. To tackle this, try the M&S Stainless Steel Ice Globes, £12. After chilling them in the fridge, roll downwards around the eyes to encourage lymphatic drainage, then sweep upwards for a lifted look. For a de-puffing, contouring massage, the Tweezerman Stainless Steel Gua Sha, £22, works beautifully with a little facial oil or moisturiser. Glide it along the jawline, cheeks, forehead, eye area and nose to help tighten skin. Or opt for microcurrent technology with the GESKE MicroCurrent Face-Lifter 6 in 1, £39.95, which helps boost circulation while firming and toning the skin. CALM REDNESS Fevers and high temperatures can leave…

Many of us struggle with the winter blues and it's not hard to see why. The lack of daylight can reduce mood-influencing serotonin levels and the cold, dreary weather makes us less likely to get outdoors or be sociable (which are known mood boosters). Consultant counselling psychologist, Dr Ritz Birah, founder of Reflect with Dr Ritz, the UK's first confidential WhatsApp journal (drritika.co.uk) says, ‘In the winter months, our bodies get far less natural daylight. Light is one of the strongest regulators of mood because it affects serotonin – our “steadiness and wellbeing” hormone – and helps set our circadian rhythm, the internal clock that controls sleep and energy. When daylight drops, serotonin dips, melatonin rises earlier, and people often feel more fatigued, flat or withdrawn.’ She adds, ‘In my…

Breakfast burrito Serves: 2 Takes: 10min Cost per serving £1.08 1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil 50g red pepper, deseeded and finely sliced 2 eggs 2tbsp milk 30g Cheddar, grated, plus 15g extra, grated ½ avocado, peeled, stone removed and flesh chopped 1tsp lime juice 2 mini flour tortilla wraps, warmed 1 Heat 2tsp of the oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the pepper for 2min, stirring, or until softened. 2 Whisk the eggs and milk together in a small bowl. Pour into the pan and stir for 1min. Sprinkle over the cheese and cook for 1-2min until the eggs are almost set or cooked to your liking. 3 Toss the avocado with the remaining oil and lime juice. Top the tortillas with the egg…

Difficulty rating: TIP: The back seam is worked with a flat stitch to make this more comfortable against baby's head. Make sure the two sides are aligned, so the seam can be worked through the corresponding stitches on each side. YOU WILL NEED Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% merino wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere) baby (sport) weight yarn, approx. 125m per 50g ball 1 ball each of: Silver 12 (A) Mint 3 (B) Lilac 10 (C) Speedwell 97 (blue) (D) 3.5mm hook Yarn needle FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 0-3 months: crown to neck 12.5cm, back of head to front 12.5cm, ties 25cm 3-6 months: crown to neck 16.5cm, back of head to front 16.5cm, ties 25cm ABBREVIATIONS ch = chain dc = double crochet st(s) = stitch(es) tr = treble crochet rep = repeat cont = continue htr…

Our money advice expert Faith Archer is an award-winning money journalist and blogger at Much More With Less, Faith was deputy personal finance editor at The Daily Telegraph and is a regular on BBC radio. She aims to make money matters such as family budgeting, pensions and tax easier to understand When it comes to leaving a legacy, there's a delicate balance between maximising your money, protecting your comfort in later life, and avoiding excess tax. More people worry about inheritance tax (IHT) than actually pay it, but it will affect more families in future. Currently, only 4.6% of deaths result in an IHT bill, according to HM Revenue and Customs, but when it hits, it hits hard. The average bill is a whopping £212,000. Rising house prices, frozen thresholds and…

■ If you're hunting for a microwave that can warm meals fast, cook food consistently and make life easier, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Start by checking the wattage and functions. A higher wattage usually translates to quicker, more effective heating, and features such as defrost settings, auto-cook programmes and sensor technology can help prevent uneven results. ■ It's also worth thinking about size and capacity. Make sure the microwave fits your kitchen space, while still being roomy enough to handle your everyday cookware and leftovers. ■ Lastly, pay attention to any energy labels or certifications. These show the appliance has met certain efficiency or performance standards, which can help cut down on energy use and long-term costs.…

FILM:ALFIE (1966) ICONIC COSTUME: A slim-fitting navy blue single-breasted mohairblend suit with white shirt and skinny knitted navy tie HE WORE IT WELL: Michael Caine TAILORED BY: Douglas Hayward SHOWSTOPPING SCENE: Unrepentant ladies’ man Alfie looks effortlessly suave as he flirts his way around Sixties London ■ Terence Stamp had played Alfie on Broadway but turned down the film role before recommending his friend and flatmate Michael Caine. ■ Tailor Douglas Hayward deliberately shied away from the stuffy formality of Savile Row and introduced the iconic, slim, Italianstyle silhouette to British tailoring. ■ He had an enviable client list of some of the biggest stars of the Sixties, including Rex Harrison, Peter Sellers, Tony Bennett, Steve McQueen and Tommy Steele. ■ His studio became more of a salon, where famous…

Watching the girls concentrating hard as they mastered the art of embroidery, Michelle smiled. The scene brought back happy memories of when she, too, had been a Brownie. Now she volunteers with Girlguiding and is Brown Owl to a group of girls aged seven to 10. She became involved with the organisation after she married and had two children. ‘I'd worked as a nurse but had to give up once I'd had my son because he was severely disabled,’ says Michelle, 67. ‘But I wanted to do something that would fit in with family life.’ She has now been involved with the group for 39 years. ‘I'd loved being in the Brownies when I was a girl,’ she recalls. ‘It gave me freedom. I met girls from all different backgrounds…

Dear readers, Pets. I've had a few. But then again, too few to mention. Actually, that's not true. I can mention them all, particularly the one who was there for most of my childhood, the skinny black labrador. All of us liked long walks and NOT in a gang. He was often to be found, exhausted, in his basket and desperate for dinner. He shed like a piñata in a hurricane and most meals involved a hefty dose of fur, which Mum claimed would build up our immune system. He enjoyed life in the Smith household, singing along to my sister's clarinet, his head thrown back and mouth in a triangle shape; sitting under the dining table, poised for a stray scrap – wolfing it down with startling speed and…

Four decades ago, Glynis Barber became an Eighties glamour girl when she starred opposite her future husband, Michael Brandon, in the classic detective drama series, Dempsey and Makepeace. Blonde-bobbed Barber exuded cool elegance, delivering an arresting performance as Sergeant Harriet Makepeace, contrasting perfectly with Brandon's brash, streetwise New Yorker, Lieutenant James Dempsey. The sexual chemistry sizzled for 30 episodes across three series, and speculation of a real-life romance between the pair ran rife in the tabloids. Fan frenzy reached fever pitch when the rumours were confirmed, and the couple were married in November 1989. While some celebrity spousals cannot withstand the pressures of a partnership played out in the public eye, theirs has stood the test of time. ‘I don't have any secret formula,’ Glynis admits to Yours. ‘Relationships are…

Meet Chicho, our miniature Dachshund. My daughter and her partner travelled all the way to Scotland to fetch him. He's settling in to the family and giving us all so much joy. Lorraine Goode, West Midlands Here is six-year-old Annie enjoying a well-earned rest after chasing her favourite ball round a nearby field. Sue Buckey, by email This is our rescue cat, Jelly. At two years old, he is still very playful and mischievous. His favourite place to sit is on top of the shed, in the sun. Samantha Edwards, Croydon GET IN TOUCH Send us a picture of your pet with personality, tell us their likes, dislikes and age and if we print it you'll receive a £10 cheque…

As the waiter guided me to my table, I felt a pang of nerves. It was my first online date. I'd married my first husband Mic at 18 and we'd been happy together for 35 years, until I'd lost him to an aortic aneurism aged just 52. Two years on, I'd met Vic. Both outdoorsy engineers, we'd just clicked and married a year on. But seven years into our marriage, Vic had a heart attack while windsurfing on holiday and drowned, leaving me widowed again, at 58. Surprisingly, it was easier to cope the second time. I'd been volunteering for Cruse bereavement support since losing Mic, which helped. Because Vic's cause of death was drowning, the insurers paid out £50,000. Comfortable from my job as a professor of engineering at…

LOCK IN MOISTURE This gentle formula contains sweet almond oil. It keeps your skin soft and healthy for hours. It also helps smooth rough skin, especially around your knuckles and fingernails. Margaret Dabbs Bare Hands Conditioning Cream, £6 LIGHTEN UP This brightening cream contains viniferine, a special ingredient from vine sap that is clinically proven to minimise dark spots and boost radiance. Shea butter and avocado oil are also included to help retain moisture. These help your skin keep its moisture and make your hands feel softer and smoother. Caudalie Vinoperfect Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream, £13 SOOTHE WITH SCENT This Rituals cream melted into our hands almost instantly when we tested it, repairing pesky dry spots and cracks while leaving our skin soft and supple. Rituals Ritual of Yozakura…

Brighten your morning with daisy-print mugs and coasters Inject colour and character into your lounge by pairing cushions in lively shades and patterns Create a focal point with a statement light shade…

NEWS YOU CAN USE DON'T MOVE, IMPROVE! If the fresh start of January has inspired you to improve your home, work out how to fund it. More than a fifth (22%) of people aged 55 or over have taken on a renovation project during retirement, according to research by insurer L&G. While home renovations can be highly rewarding, they don't come cheap. On average, homeowners spent £11,731 on a kitchen remodel, £9037 on a bathroom upgrade, and £21,520 on a double-storey extension. L&G found that 88% of those aged 55-plus funded their renovations from savings, but 11% used credit cards to cover the costs. In an ideal world, if you use a credit card, you would pay off the bill in full and on time, to avoid expensive interest charges.…

Ruth, 76, would like to have a few more companions, male/ female living in the Leeds area. She enjoys playing scrabble, outings, cinema and visiting amateur theatre productions. JAN2-101 Pete, 61, from near Wimbledon, is looking for a long-term relationship, he loves music, enjoys going to gigs and plays the piano and guitar, keeping fit and animals. JAN2-102 Widow, Ivy, 67, is hoping to meet an active man, 68-75, for companionship, nonsmoker preferred from the Blackpool area. She enjoys days/meals out, river cruises, walks, music and nice pubs. JAN2-103 Non-smoking Linda, 70, from Sheffield is looking to meet new people male/female for genuine friendship/companionship, to meet up for coffee, meals, shopping or a chat. She likes reading and romcom films. JAN2-104 Catherine from Merseyside is looking for pen friends, any…

WEEKEND WARMERS For off-duty days, you can't beat a classic jumper, jeans and puffer combo. Add a thermal base layer for extra warmth. STYLISH SKIRTS Skirts aren't just for summer – this kilt-style pick is ideal for layering up. Pair with thermal tights and a wool-blend turtleneck jumper for a super-cosy, chic look. WINTER WALKS Update your athleisure wear for colder days with a fleece-lined set that's both soft and supportive. Finish with a fluffy borg fleece, that's basically like a hug in coat form! DRESS TO IMPRESS Keep your go-to frock on rotation no matter the weather by popping a 100% Merino wool roll-neck underneath. Top it off with a matching hat and gloves set for extra snug points. OFFICE READY Wool-blend tailored trousers can keep you warm without…

Hit musical drama Rock Follies (1976-77) crashed onto our screens 50 years ago this month. Over two six-part series, which attracted up to 15 million viewers at their peak, the American writer, Howard Schuman, exposed misogyny and manipulation in the entertainment business, alongside such then-taboo subjects as ambisexuality, drug culture and pornography. Schuman enlisted A-list support from Roxy Music's Andy Mackay to co-write the all-original songs for the show. The material was an eclectic mix but Mackay was keen for the music to be believable, asserting, ‘everything was going to be as close to real as possible. The girls did their own singing, with no overdubs, and they were going to do their own dancing. The real band are the ones in shot.’ In episode one, The Show Business, aspiring…

Blonde and ambitious Carole Lesley was not only beautiful and photogenic but she was good too. A talent resultant from an all-consuming passion for film acting. Born Maureen Lesley Carole Rippingale, in Chelmsford, Essex, in May 1935, she would forever be cheerfully dancing and singing around her neighbourhood. Aged 12 she was working as an extra in The Silver Darlings (1947), the film drama about – of all things – Scottish herring fishermen, starring Welsh matinee idol Clifford Evans. Far more glamorous was Trottie True (1949) in which Carole played the young Clara. Carole supplemented her film income by working as an usherette at her local picture palace, the Pavilion Cinema. It was all part of showbusiness, and she got to see the flicks for free! At 16, and with…

What you're reading…. A Dangerous Train of Thought by Faith Martin (HQ Digital, £16.99) ‘Brilliant characters and a well-constructed mystery,’ says Rita Buckden. In 1926 Yorkshire, ghost-hunter Arbie Swift and friend Val attend a manor party where mysterious deaths unfold. Drawn into a supernatural ‘ghost train’ case, Arbie must unmask the killer before they strike again. When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén (Penguin, £9.99) ‘Heartbreaking and life affirming,’ says Jen Wilson. In a quiet Swedish village, elderly Bo cherishes memories, friendship and his beloved dog, Sixten. When his son decides Sixten must go, Bo finds the resolve to reclaim his autonomy and heal their strained bond. A tender, moving story about memory, dignity and love. Room 706 by Ellie Levenson (Headline Review, £16.99) ‘A layered and riveting read,’…

✪ I've been watching Dame Mary Berry on television and remembering all the cakes I've made from her recipes especially her Fast Cakes book which I bought in 1981. I am the same age as Mary and, although I still make cakes for my family, I don't make the quantity I used to when I made a dozen at a time for charity. I wish I still looked as young and could move as much as she does! It was good to see she was still sprightly. She gives me a reason to carry on and make cakes in spite of all my aches and pains. Many congratulations Dame Mary! Maisie Dance, Purley, Surrey Yours says: Regardless of age, we all benefit from great role models. ◆ Our star letter…

WIN! A Bottle of Eternal Collagen Liquid Food Supplement Eternal Collagen is the UK's most ‘high-strength’ 15,000mg marine collagen drink. This ready-to-drink tropical formula combines hydrolysed marine collagen with vitamins A, B1-B12, C, D, biotin, zinc, selenium, echinacea, elastin, MSM, astaxanthin and antioxidant-rich berries to support skin elasticity, immunity, joints and overall vitality. (RRP £45) We are giving five lucky Yours readers the chance to each win a bottle. ■ eternalcollagen.co.uk ENTERING IS EASY! BY POST: Send the coupon on p88 ONLINE: yours.co.uk/competitions TEXT AND BY PHONE! Turn the page for details! Closing date: 9 February 2026 £1,143 WORTH OF PRIZES TO WIN! WIN! V33 RENOVATION MULTI-SURFACE PAINT When it comes to interiors, giving surfaces a refresh is best tackled using just one paint, instead of having to buy multiple…

SAGITTARIUS 23 NOV-20 DEC There may be revamps coming up around your neighbourhood, or changes impacting regular routines. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705708 CAPRICORN 21 DEC-20 JAN With so many planets circling your income sector, financial plans could feature, as may repairs. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705709 AQUARIUS 21 JAN-18 FEB It's your time to shine, time to let go of what's past, and maybe to revive a longneglected dream. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705710 PISCES 19 FEB-20 MARCH One particular chapter may be closing, possibly duty related. It's a good time for shedding old habits and stuck patterns. ■ For a weekly update call 09044 705711 ARIES 21 MARCH-19 APRIL Time to get serious, pointing yourself towards a cherished hope…