Yours issue 152

❙ star chat ❙

By Christine Smith

It’s Strictly a family affair!

hen Zoe Ball watched her dad Johnny perform on Strictly Come Dancing, she felt overwhelmed with pride.

And weeks into the Strictly experience, she still feels excited he is part of a show that she performed in herself in 2005. She loves it so much that she has taken over from Claudia Winkleman on the daily spin-off programme, It Takes Two. “Dad kept it a secret that he was going on Strictly until two days before everyone found out,” says Zoe, smiling. “We were at my uncle’s house and when he took me to one side, I got really worried and asked him what the matter was. He told me he was going on Strictly. I was so excited and proud, especially as he is the oldest contestant ever.

“Having done it myself, I know that although it’s terrifying, it’s such a joyous thing to be part of.

Lukosiute, from American Whenever I’m out and about now, dance show, So You Think people keep stopping me to ask You Can Dance. about Dad.” Initially, the versatile And it’s no Strictly professional wonder as, Ian Waite gallantly before partnered Johnny for the the show had few days before Iveta even started, arrived, so Johnny wouldn’t miss out on Johnny and his any training. Ian was original partner, Zoe’s partner when Aliona Vilani, hit they came third in the headlines Strictly back in 2005, so when she he was used to the Ball suffered family style! a hairline How did Johnny cope fracture in with all the upset over rehearsals. Until Aliona’s accident? “I’m just it heals, Aliona so worried about her ankle. is unable to dance.

Ian Waite with Zoe in After all, her feet are the The show’s producers 2005 and now he’s tools of her trade. I hope quickly found Johnny partnered Johnny in rehearsals, too! it heals quickly and she a replacement, Iveta

W

Zoe and Johnny Ball reveal why, whatever happens, being part of Strictly together is just a joy

16

YOURS

EVERY FORTNIGHT

is soon back dancing. Aliona was a lovely teacher – patient but strict. In the end my first dance routine, set by Aliona, hardly changed, but each teacher brought something new to it. Not surprisingly, Ian gave a more masculine feel to my movements and then Iveta made it fun. But that is the way you progress… good basics, then style, then pizazz!”

And as we’ve now seen, Johnny and Iveta make a great team. He adds: “Iveta is just wonderful; patient, kind and considerate. I think she is impressed with my rhythm (I was a drummer) and my fitness – I lost a clear stone in the first two weeks.”

And despite all the drama, in his first week Johnny

✤ Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two runs every weekday on BBC2 at 6.30pm.

YOURS

EVERY FORTNIGHT

17

PIC:

For the first live show Johnny danced with Iveta Lukosiute, who stepped into the injured Aliona’s shoes

PIC: BBC; ALPHA; CHARLIE GRAY/EYEVINE

managed a better score than Olympian Victoria Pendleton, even though Len described his performance as a bit ‘Last of the Summer Wine’. But Johnny has a fighting spirit. “I deliberately chose a Latin dance for the first live show because it’s more difficult,” he reveals.

Johnny is certainly a TV survivor. One of the original Playschool presenters in the Sixties, he was on our screens right through the Seventies and the Eighties, making maths simpler for children with his Think of a Number series.

Zoe is very close to her dad – they speak every day. She admits: “Strictly is tough for older people. I even remember Jason Donovan last year saying how hard he found it.”

Like her father, Zoe is charming and fun to be with.

She says she still can’t quite believe she is bringing us all the behind the scenes Strictly gossip every evening.

Her daughter, Nelly (2), has already shown an interest in dancing and Zoe’s glittery shoes. “She goes into my shoe cupboard at home and starts walking around in them. She loves watching the show. My son Woody (11) isn’t so keen but he is good at saying what he thinks about all the people taking part.”

Zoe leads a very healthy lifestyle, doing yoga in her spare time, and avoiding alcohol. “I still don’t drink and it’s going great,” she says. “I am enjoying my 40s. I look at my mum and see how beautiful she looks. She is 63 and, yes, she looks her age, but she has so much energy.”

Life, admits Zoe, couldn’t be better. “It’s happy days and Dad doing Strictly just makes my own job even more special.”

Father and daughter clearly adore each other. Johnny reminisces fondly, “I can still remember her first dance, she was the best on that first night and I was sitting opposite the judges. She did a cracking waltz with Ian, and as she finished right in front of us Bruno stood up and shouted: ‘Yes!’. The tears burst out of me.

“I am so lucky to have had such a varied career,” he adds.

“If anybody had said to me that I would still be working and enjoying it at the age of 74, I wouldn’t have believed it. By taking part in Strictly I hope to show the younger ones that it’s good to have a go!”

10

eASy make-up tricks We asked two top celebrity make-up artists to share some of their tricks of the trade so that you can look younger

1

Get your base right

“Pick a formulation that’s pigment-rich but light in texture and avoid powder foundations that can sit in lines and pores. Also look out for tightening and firming formulations,” says celebrity make-up artist Ariane Poole. Only apply foundation to the areas of your face that need help and blend with a brush.

Try: L’Oreal Paris Visible Lift Serum Inside Foundation (£14.29/30ml) reduces wrinkles.

Use Models Own Foundation Brush (£9.50) to blend foundation. yOURS

eVeRy FORTNIGHT

2pick a sheeny eyeshadow

“Choosing creme shadow with a subtle sheen will reflect light and give the illusion of smoother lids,” says celebrity make-up artist Cassie Lomas.

Try: Clinique Lid Smoothie Antioxidant eye Colour (£17/7ml).

3

use a primer

“Primers can help smooth skin, filling lines to allow your base to sit on top,” says Cassie. Use after moisturiser and before foundation.

Try: Bourjois Flower Perfection Primer (£9.99/7ml) with azalea flower hides pores and softens lines.

a radiance enhancer 5try

4

Line your eyes

“eyes lose definition as we age and lining them helps redress this. But steer clear of black and brown – instead choose charcoal, plum, navy or bronze,” says Ariane. “Apply the liner close to top lashes, but stop before the outer edge. Use in the centre of the lower lash line and smudge outwards.”

Try: No7 Amazing eyes Pencil (£7.75/1g) in Blue Grey is creamy and comes with a smudger. Ariane Poole Powder eye Pencil in Purple Velvet (£13/1.64g) gives a precise line or smudge with a finger for a smokey effect.

6Vamp up your lashes

“Lashes get more sparse as we age and lash curlers will really help to lengthen them and open up your eyes,” says Ariane. Curl lashes before applying a volume-boosting mascara. “To give the illusion of a thicker lash line, use a dark shadow to line the lid as close to the lashes as possible. Apply using an angled brush,” says Cassie.

Try: Tweezerman Deluxe eyelash Curler (£14).

8

pick a rosy lipstick

Our lips lose fullness and colour as they age. “To make lips appear fuller, apply a liner that matches your lip colour on the outer edge of your lip line, then gently smudge,” says Ariane.

A rosy pink lipstick makes lips look fuller.

Try: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Lipstick (£7.99/2.7g) in Honey. Bourjois Sweet Kisses Lipstick (£7.99/3g) in Pink Rose.

Using a shimmering radiance enhancer will restore that youthful glow. Dot a little lotion in a ‘C’ shape from the top of the eyebrow bone to the top of the cheekbones beneath the eye and blend.

Try: George Glow Shine Liquid Highlighter (£3.50/8ml). Soap & Glory Hocus Focus Lotion (£13/30ml).

7

emphasise eyebrows

Well-shaped brows will give you an instant eye lift. “If you’ve never plucked them, have it done professionally to get the right shape,” says Ariane. “Fill in the gaps with a powder or brow pencil.”

Try: MAC eye Brows (£12.50/0.09g) a self-propelling, selfsharpening pencil that defines and fills in brows perfectly, in five shades.

10

Don’t forget blusher

9

Hide dark circles

“Invest in a lightreflecting concealer pen in a shade close to your natural skin tone,” says Ariane. Dot under the eyes and blend with a fingertip on dark circles.

Try: Liz earle Light Reflecting Concealer (£15.59/1.5ml) disguises dark circles instantly.

This will add an instant flush of youth to your face. “Choose rosy pink or coral pink, and only apply it to the apples of your cheeks. If you put it along cheekbones, it emphasises eye bags,” says Ariane.

Try: Revlon Photo Ready Cream Blush (£7.99/12.4g) has a buildable formula to give a soft glow.

Une Breezy Cheeks Blush (£8.99/3.4g) melts into the skin.

››

Now visit www.yours.co.uk for more top tips on how to look your best

››

Next issue: Our pick of the best beauty products on the market yOURS

eVeRy FORTNIGHT

PICS: ISTOCKPHOTO

StockiStS: Ariane Poole www.arianepoole.com; Bourjois 0800 269 836, www.bourjois.co.uk; clinique 0870 034 2566, www.clinique.co.uk; George 0800 952 3003, www.asda.com; L’oreal 0800 072 6699, www.lorealparis.co.uk; Liz Earle 01983 813913, www.lizearle.com; MAc www.maccosmetics.co.uk; Models own www.modelsownit.com; No7 0845 070 8090, www.boots.com; Revlon 0800 085 2716, www.revlon.co.uk; Soap & glory www.soapandglory.com (Boots stores); tweezerman 0845 262 1731, www.tweezerman.co.uk; Une www.unebeauty.com Details correct at time of going to press

37

Style notes

22 gorgeous

WINTER COATS th) (and all knee-leng

PHOTOGRAPHY: XXXX

We’ve found some stylishly warm and wearable coats for all shapes and sizes…

By Jo Winch from just £30!

KATHY WEARS: Red coat, £90, 10-20, Next; scarf, M&Co, £14; boots, £90, 3-7, Next 38

YOURS

STOCKISTS: Bhs 0845 196 0000; Bon Prix www.bonprix.co.uk Curvissa www.curvissa.co.uk; East 0208 877 6543; Fashion world www.fashionworld.co.uk; FiftyPlus www.fiftyplus.co.uk; George at Asda 0500 100 055; Isme 0844 811 8112; La Redoute 0844 842 2222; M&Co 0800 031 7200; Marisota www.marisota.co.uk; Marks & Spencer 0845 609 0200; Monsoon 0844 811 0068; Phase Eight 0207 471 4422; Primark 0118 960 6300; Next 0844 844 8939; F+F at Tesco 0800 505 555 Details correct at time of going to press EVERY FORTNIGHT

✤ Blue and black colourblock coat, £79.50, 12-26, Fifty plus

✤ Green belted wool coat, £250, 8-18, East

✤ Animal print coat, £30, 8-18, George at Asda

BUDGET BUY

✤ Pink mix coat, £99, 8-22, Per Una at M&S

✤ Asymmetric coat, £44.99, 8-24, Bonprix

✤ Check coat, £75, 6-22, Next

PETITE SIZES

✤ Sage green coat, £125, 10-22, Twiggy for M&S

✤ Faux fur collar coat, £110, 6-22, Next

✤ Striped coat, £149, 10-18, Monsoon

ON TREND

✤ Camel coat, from £90, 1226, Claire Sweeney at Fashion World

✤ Red flare coat, £32, 8-18, Primark

✤ Fit and flare coat, £79, 10-28, Isme

CLASSIC STYLE

››

Now visit www.yours.co.uk for even more stylish suggestions

››

Next issue: Winter knits for every occasion…

YOURS

EVERY FORTNIGHT

How to...

solve life’s little

EMERGENCIES Life’s too short to panic about its minor setbacks!

Follow our tips to remain calm and competent in the face of unexpected crises…

By Alex Frisby

!

CLEAR SOLUTION

!

POWDER POWER

!

STICK IT OUT

We all know clear nail varnish is a lifesaver when you find a ladder or a hole in a pair of sheer tights, but if you don’t have any varnish handy, try a quick squirt of hairspray instead to stop the damage spreading further. If you snag a favourite woollen sweater, carefully pull the offending thread through to the inside, tie it into a knot, if possible, and secure with a tiny dab of clear nail varnish.

Baby wipes are another beauty lifesaver – they are excellent at removing make-up stains from clothing. But if you haven’t got any handy, use talcum powder on spills. Just sprinkle it on, leave for five minutes, then remove with a clothes brush. And it won’t leave any damp patches!

PICS: ALAMY; CORBIS; MASTERFILE; THINKSTOCK

Glass tumblers sometimes stick together when left in storage. To separate them, you need to run some fairly warm, but not boiling, water into a washing up bowl. Put the glasses in, and fill the top glass with cool – but not very cold – water. This should make the hot glass slightly bigger and the cold glass slightly smaller, so you can carefully pull the two apart. Make sure the water temperatures aren’t too extreme, as this could cause the glasses to crack.

(If they do, at least the pieces will be contained in the bowl.)

YOURS

EVERY FORTNIGHT

!

HOT UNDER THE BONNET

!

SHOE-SHINE PLOY

!

A NUTTY IDEA

!

HOSE-DOWN

It sounds strange, but if your car overheats and that little red light is looking ominous, you should turn the heater on! Until you can park safely and allow the engine to cool, the heater fan should help by drawing hot air away from the problem area.

Do you scuff your shoes? Buff up a scuffed patch of patent leather with a milk-soaked rag to bring the sparkle back to your favourite pair. Don’t forget to wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth to avoid that stale milk smell later.

Scratches on wood are especially upsetting if the piece is an heirloom (or you were about to take it along to the Antiques Roadshow).

Rub half a walnut over wood damage for a ‘magical’ fix.

Lost that fiddly little back to your earring? Fasten an old popsock over the end of the vacuum cleaner with a rubber band and use the suction to find it. Any really small items should hold fast to the material until you turn the cleaner off again.

Valery says: This also works well for contact lenses.

!

ZIP-A-DEE-HOO-HA

A jammed zip is a disaster when you are getting dressed in a hurry. One minute you’re coaxing it over a seam, then you’re rummaging in the sewing box. Next time, rub a graphite pencil, wax crayon or candle over the problem area to ease things along.

Remember to use a closely matching colour that won’t show up on the zip.

!

GOODBYE GARLIC BREATH

It was a lovely meal, but now you are all too aware of the garlic on your breath. It’s said that chewing on cardamom seeds will get rid of the smell, but what are the chances of having one of these handy? Never fear – apparently, munching a stick of celery or some parsley will do the job just as well.

YOURS

EVERY FORTNIGHT

55

7 ways to...

Make new friends With an estimated one million people aged 65-plus feeling lonely, it’s never too late to think about how you can make new friends By Jill Robinson

1Volunteering

This is a good way to meet people, and give something back at the same time.

Community Service Volunteers (CSV) is celebrating 50 years of helping people of all ages embark on new adventures while helping others. It also has a branch called RSVP, the only UK-wide organisation that offers the opportunity to everyone over the age of 50 to volunteer.

It covers every activity from knitting to patient transport schemes. Call 020 7643 1385 or visit www.csv-rsvp.org.uk

Check out Yours

2

We pride ourselves on providing a friendly, welcoming community here at Yours, and we have many different features that could help you to make new friends.

One of the main ones is the Friends of Yours section – our free friendship service which enables readers to find likeminded or long-lost friends.

Simply fill in the appeal coupon (page 81) and send it in to us and we’ll do our best to publish your request. In addition, we offer the popular Yours Carers in Touch scheme which helps carers and those on their own to make friends. If you fit this description, write to our Reader

Care Editor, Rosie Sandall, to get the ball rolling. Finally, there is Yours Dating, our online paidfor dating service, which can help people find a new friend or partner. Visit www.yoursdating. co.uk to register.

your own friendship group 3 Start

A friendship group is simply a number of people who meet regularly for a chat or go to social events together. If you haven’t heard of one in your area, start one yourself! Begin by asking neighbours if they would like to join.

You could write to your local paper to ask if they would publicise it as well as posting cards on noticeboards in your local community centre, village shop or post office. Be sure to include your contact details so people can get in touch if they’re interested. If you’re wary of inviting people into your home, suggest meeting in a local pub or café until you get to know each other better.

SST AT

? e k a c e Lik chat?

Loveen why not join

Yes? Th eekly natter at us for a w offee Pot, rC The Coppe t, Newtown High Stree y

se ck

da Every Tues0 at 10.3 me elco Everyone w

6

YOURS

EVERY FORTNIGHT

57