R E A D E R ’ S HEALTH • MONEY • TRAVEL • RECIPES • FASHION • TECHNOLOGY D I G E S T APRIL 2019 | S M A L L A N D P E R F E C T LY Ralph Fiennes On Ballet And Boundaries I N F O R M E D Defying Death HOW TO MAKE PEACE WITH MORTALITY | A P R I L CULTURE Chris Stein 17 Stories Of Life In Blondie readersdigest.co.uk APRIL 2019 £3.79 Contents APRIL 2019 Features 16 IT’S A MANN’S WORLD 20 Olly Mann rediscovers the joys to be had in Britain’s libraries with help from his young son p ENTERTAINMENT 20 INTERVIEW: RALPH FIENNES Our chat with the elusive actor turned director unearthed more mysteries than it solved 30 “I REMEMBER”: CHRIS STEIN One half of the legendary new wave band Blondie looks back on his incredible career HEALTH 82 p 72 Exploring the surprising new movement demystifying dying 40 EVERY ARTHRITIS QUESTION ANSWERED This painful joint disease is actually a collection of ailments Here’s what you need to know INSPIRE 60 BEST OF BRITISH: WILDLIFE We round up the best spots in Britain to dust off your binoculars this bank holiday DANCING WITH DEATH 82 TR AVEL & ADVENTURE VAN GOGH IN LONDON Did you know that Vincent van Gogh spent three years living in London? We went on the trail of the legendary artist 90 LOST PLACES Discovering the other-worldly beauty of these abandoned spots COVER PHOTOGRAPH © RICCARDO GHILARDI/CONTRIBUTOR/GETTY IMAGES APRIL 2019 • DIGESTED N E W M O N T H LY P O D CA S T Each month Reader’s Digest navigate the woes and wonders of modern life, weighing in with leading experts on the everyday tools we need to survive and thrive in 2019 To subscribe to Digested for monthly episodes—including our latest, “The Happy Ever After Myth”—visit readersdigest.co.uk/podcast or search “Digested” on iTunes SUBSCRIBE TODAY FREE 106 p Contents APRIL 2019 In every issue 12 Over to You See the World Differently 50 54 HEALTH Advice: Susannah Hickling Column: Dr Max Pemberton 68 INSPIRE If I Ruled the World: Howard Jones 98 100 TRAVEL & ADVENTURE My Great Escape Cycling Holidays 102 MONEY Column: Andy Webb 106 110 FOOD & DRINK Tasty recipes and ideas from Rachel Walker HOME & GARDEN Column: Cassie Pryce 118 p 116 FASHION & BEAUTY Column: Lisa Lennkh on how to look your best Beauty 118 ENTERTAINMENT April’s cultural highlights 114 122 127 BOOKS April Fiction: James Walton’s recommended reads Books That Changed My Life: Michelle Paver 128 TECHNOLOGY Column: Olly Mann 130 133 136 140 143 144 FUN & GAMES You Couldn’t Make It Up Word Power Brain Teasers Laugh! 60-Second Stand-Up Beat the Cartoonist APRIL 2019 • The all-in-one blood pressure monitor OMRON EVOLV Take accurate readings in any position around the upper arm* and track progress via smartphone * Bilo G et al Hypertens Res 2017 40(6): 573-580 PM-1583-02-01/2017 Amazon, Amazon.co.uk and the Amazon.co.uk logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Amazon EU S.à.r.l or its affiliates SENIOR EDITORS Anna Walker, Eva Mackevic EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Jessica Summers ART DIRECTOR Richard Cooke ADVERTISING Jigs Pankhania MARKETING Sarah Hughes HEAD OF FINANCE Santwana Singh FINANCE MANAGER Irving Efren TRUSTED MEDIA BRANDS INC (USA) President and Chief Executive Officer Bonnie Kintzer Vice President, Chief Operating Officer International Brian Kennedy Editor-in-Chief, International Magazines Raimo Moysa For all subscriber enquiries, please use the customer services number below WRITE TO US! SEND US YOUR STORIES, JOKES AND LETTERS OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE WE PAY £50 for the star letter and £30 for regular letters Email readersletters@readers digest.co.uk or go to readers digest.co.uk/contact-us WE ALSO PAY £30 for the true stories, anecdotes, jokes in Laugh! and You Couldn’t Make It Up…, and contributions to end-ofarticle fillers and My Great Escape Email excerpts@readersdigest.co.uk or go to readersdigest.co.uk/contact-us SORRY! We cannot acknowledge or return unpublished items or unsolicited article-length manuscripts Do not send SAEs Article-length stories, poetry and cartoons are not requested CUSTOMER SERVICES Contact Customer Services for renewals, gifts, address changes, payments, account information and all other enquiries Call 0330 333 2220* or email customer_service@readersdigest.co.uk TALKING MAGAZINES Reader’s Digest is also available in audio and accessible etext editions from RNIB Newsagent, for blind and partially sighted readers Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit rnib.org.uk/newsagent SUBSCRIPTIONS Annual subscriptions are available to be delivered monthly direct to your door For our latest offers please visit readersdigest.co.uk/subscribe Or telephone us today on 01778 392461 Gift subscriptions also available UK rates may vary Overseas rates: Republic of Ireland €50, Rest of the World €60 SMALL PRINT: Ensure submissions are not previously published Include your name, email, address and daytime phone number with all correspondence We may edit letters and use them in all print and electronic media Contributions used become world copyright of Vivat Direct Ltd (t/a Reader’s Digest) Reader’s Digest is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry) We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism If you think that we have not met those standards, please contact 0203 795 8886 If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit ipso.co.uk PAPER FROM SUSTAINABLE FORESTS PLEASE RECYCLE © 2017 Vivat Direct Ltd (t/a Reader’s Digest) British Reader’s Digest is published by Vivat Direct Ltd, 57 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SJ All rights reserved throughout the world Reproduction in any manner, in whole or part, in English or other languages, is prohibited Reader’s Digest is a trademark owned and under license from Trusted Media Brands, Inc, and is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office All rights reserved Printed by Pindar Scarborough Limited Newstrade distribution by Seymour Distribution Limited *Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and will be free if you have inclusive minutes from any type of line including mobile, BT or other fixed line APRIL 2019 • BOO NOWK! tickets reader TICKETS 020 74 sdigest 00 123 co.uk Dear Readers, As we move into spring it’s time to start planning some exciting dates for your diary this Easter and beyond Why not treat the whole family and join your favourite childhood characters in the musical spectacular WHERE IS PETER RABBIT? Based on the original tales by Beatrix Potter, with all your favourite, this heartwarming production makes its West End premiere at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this April With voices provided by Griff Rhys Jones and Miriam Margolyes If you’re looking for something a bit different, why not book tickets to the 2019 season in the stunning surroundings of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre? Playing this year are EVITA, A MIDSUMMERS NIGHT’S DREAM, HANSEL AND GRETEL and OUR TOWN – perfect for all the family! If you’re a big fan of musicals then THE BEST OF…ROCK MUSICALS is for you! Featuring a star-studded cast of West End and Broadway performers and musicians, you’ll hear all your favourite songs from hit musicals including Miss Siagon, Wicked, Chess, Rent, The Lion King and We Will Rock You, for one night only this May! Finally, returning to London from July is JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the multi award-winning production by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber Playing just 60 performances at the Barbican following two sellout seasons at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2017, this gorgeous, thrilling, heavenly musical is an almighty revelation Whatever you want to experience this season, we have a whole range of shows and days out just for you Browse through our range of musicals, plays, attractions, river cruises, afternoon teas, exhibitions and more at tickets.readersdigest.co.uk or call 020 7400 1238 Regards, Reader’s Digest tickets.readersdigest.co.uk | 020 7400 1238 In This Issue… EDITORS’ LETTERS Like so many youngsters before me, I grew up wanting to be Debbie Harry Watching and rewatching clips of Blondie performing “Sunday Girl” on Top of the Pops, I was as transfixed by her androgynous suit and huge peroxide blow-out as I was by the cool character stood slightly behind her on guitar, with the skinny tie and the shock of black hair My younger self would hardly believe that one day I’d interview Chris Stein in the flesh (if you’ll pardon the pun), and that he’d be just as hip and humble as I’d hoped Turn to p30 for his memories of being one half of the coolest band on the planet, as well as his recollections of 9/11, growing up in Brooklyn and the best live concert he ever saw—Bob Marley in Texas, does it get any cooler? Anna Death is a natural part of the life cycle, so why are so many of us afraid of it? Are we scared of the unknown or is it just down to our unwillingness to accept that the world will go on without us after we’re gone? But to live your life in death anxiety is to waste your precious time on earth As J K Rowling put it, “To the well-organised mind, death is but the next great adventure”—all we need to is to recalibrate our notion of passing On p72, we talk to five women who did just that and overcame their own fear of dying Now, they’ve made it their mission to help others the same through some unique if somewhat unconventional methods Eva Follow us facebook.com/readersdigestuk twitter.com/readersdigestuk @readersdigest_uk You can also sign up to our newsletter at readersdigest.co.uk Reader’s Digest is published in 27 editions in 11 languages APRIL 2019 • Over To You LETTERS ON THE FEBRUARY ISSUE We pay £50 for Letter of the Month and £30 for all others Letter of THE MONTH I have recently relocated from Egypt to Leeds, and subscribed to Reader’s Digest—the February issue was the first one I’ve received and read What a magnificent magazine I returned late from work one day, found the magazine in my mail box and started reading it I was mesmerised, it’s totally awe-inspiring and captivating I could not resist moving from Olly Mann’s attic, to Jane Goodall’s remembrance, to SAD management, to saving humanity and more Reader’s Digest is addictive and I am so glad I subscribed Muhammed Hebala, Yorkshire OUT WITH THE OLD Olly Mann’s column about repurposing his old files really made me chuckle My dad is a hoarder and always urged us to hang on to all our old school work and books, just in case they one day came in useful I took his advice for a while and then I realised that I was never going to read through all that stuff again So, I recycled it Except, like Olly, I couldn’t bear to part with the university essays I doubt I will ever refer to them again, but it’s comforting to know they are there; a physical reminder of times gone by I donated the empty folders to my dad in the hope they’d help him sort his own vast collections of papers Jennie Gardner, Somerset • APRIL 2019 It’s never been easier to enjoy the World’s favourite magazine! HEALTH • MONEY • TRA VEL • REC IPES • FAS HION • TEC HNOLOGY APRIL 2019 Ralph Fiennes On Ballet An Boundarie d s Defying De ath HOW TO MAKE PE ACE WITH MO RTALITY CULTURE Chris Stein 17 Stories Of Lif In Blondie e reader sdiges FOR JUST £3! APRIL 2019 t.co.uk £3.79 Each must-read monthly issue covers life, culture, health, books, films, food, humour and travel alongside in-depth news features, memoirs and celebrity profiles YES I want to subscribe to Reader’s Digest Magazine for just £3 for issues (a saving of £8.37 on the shop price of £11.37 based on the cover price of £3.79 per issue) I understand that if I not wish to continue receiving Reader’s Digest after my first issues I can simply cancel my subscription by contacting customer services If I want to continue to subscribe after my first issues I need nothing and my subscription will automatically be renewed at the low rate of £7.50 for every issues until I decide otherwise INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY TO PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT Originators reference: 400162 Please complete direct debit mandate below Name of Bank Account Holder Branch: Sort Code Name: / / Account No Address: Postcode: Telephone: Email: Return your completed form to: Reader’s Digest, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne PE10 9PH Or call us today on 0330 333 2220 Quoting code RDN061 Instructions to your bank or Building Society: Pay Reader’s Digest Direct Debits from the account detailed on this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee I understand that this instruction may remain with Reader’s Digest and if so will be passed electronically to my Bank or Building Society Signature Date Data Protection: From time to time Reader’s Digest may contact you with details of its products and services Please tick here if you object to receiving such information FUN AND GAMES IT PAYS TO INCREASE YOUR Word Power You can’t change the weather—but you can at least talk about it sensibly and intelligently Here’s a flurry of useful terms you can try sprinkling into your everyday chitchat Turn the page for a flood of answers BY E M ILY COX & H E NRY RATH VON inclement adj.—A: comfortably warm B: severe C: ever-changing temperate adj.—A: marked by moderation B: steamy C: frigid aridity n.—A: harshness B: blazing sunshine C: drought nimbus n.—A: frostbite B: rain cloud C: weather vane doldrums n.—A: sounds of booming thunder B: stagnation or listlessness C: weather map lines inundate v.—A: overheat or melt B: form icicles C: flood abate v.—A: decrease in force, as rain B: increase, as wind C: pile up, as snow striated adj.—A: jagged, as hail B: banded, as clouds C: patchy, as fog 10 hoary adj.—A: hazy B: white with frost or age C: lightly sprinkling 11 leeward adj.—A: by the shore B: out of balance C: not facing the wind 12 graupel n.—A: snow pellets B: mudslide C: warm-water current 13 insolation n.—A: sunstroke B: shade C: winter clothing 14 permafrost n.—A: dusting of powdery snow B: stalled front C: frozen subsoil 15 prognosticate v.—A: forecast B: chill C: take shelter convection n.—A: cyclonic movement B: hot air rising C: meeting of weatherpersons APRIL 2019 • 133 WORD POWER Answers inclement—[B] severe Today’s striated—[B] banded, as clouds kite festival has been cancelled due to inclement weather You could almost climb the ladder in the sky suggested by those striated cirrus clouds temperate—[A] marked by moderation After that cold snap, we could really use some more temperate conditions aridity—[C] drought If this aridity continues, I swear I’ll my rain dance nimbus—[B] rain cloud We took one glance at the looming nimbus and headed straight for shelter doldrums—[B] stagnation or listlessness FYI, the everyday use of doldrums refers to the area around the equator where prevailing winds are calm 10 hoary—[B] white with frost or age Professor Parker’s beard was almost as hoary as the windshield he was scraping 11 leeward—[C] not facing the wind We huddled on the leeward side of the island, well out of the stiff breeze 12 graupel—[A] snow pellets As I heaved my shovel in the winter snow storm, graupel stung my cheeks like BBs 13 insolation—[A] sunstroke Insolation is a serious threat during summer football practices inundate—[C] flood After the storm, our tiny shop was 14 permafrost—[C] frozen subsoil inundated with Apparenlty, water and debris excavating the WORD OF THE DAY* permafrost in abate—[A] Alaska requires WHISKERANDO: decrease in force, a jackhammer Abundant facial hair as rain “I believe,” said Noah, “that the 15 prognosticate— Alternative suggestions: downpour is about [A] forecast We don't “When you're preparing to abate.” always appreciate his convection—[B] hot air rising Sea breezes are a common weather effect of convection 134 scrambled eggs and your wife accidentally puts her hand in the bowl” “A cat's utopia" “A man with hairy palms” opinion, but nobody can prognosticate like Phil n VOCABULARY RATINGS & below: Partly cloudy 10–12: Generally sunny 13–15: Clear blue skies *POST YOUR DEFINITIONS EVERY DAY AT FACEBOOK.COM/READERSDIGESTUK Why have a stairlift when you can have a real lift? The Stiltz Homelift makes life easier if stairs become too much A compact, discreet and stylish homelift is the perfect alternative to a cumbersome, unattractive stairlift Install it in the corner of your living room, hallway or kitchen It can also be fitted in a cupboard or within the turn of your stairs.* Whether you need a homelift now or are futureproofing, move safely between floors in your home with a Stiltz Homelift and stay in the home you love Call us for free today “The Stiltz Homelift provides my wife with easy access to the whole house Now there is no need to uproot the family and relocate to a bungalow.” Mr & Mrs L., North London • The UK’s No.1 Homelift • Installs in a day** • Cost-effective • Small footprint • Freestanding design no wall needed • Wheelchair model available • Fast Installation • Manufactured, installed and fully guaranteed by Stiltz * Depending on space available ** Based on installing a Duo Homelift (shown) in pre-prepared aperture For a FREE brochure or no obligation survey Call FREE on 0808 291 2994 or visit www.stiltz.co.uk FUN & GAMES Brainteasers Challenge yourself by solving these puzzles, then check your answers on p139 = POT OF GOLD Leprechaun gold comes in denominations of 1, 3, 4, and If the illustrated sets of coins are equal, how much is the shamrock coin worth? = = 4 136 • APRIL 2019 PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT Can you place the 2, 3, and of each card suit so that every row and column (but not necessarily the diagonals) contains exactly one card of each denomination and suit? (P OT OF GOLD) DARREN RIGBY READER’S DIGEST (TAKING ORDERS) DARREN RI GBY; (RUNS IN THE FAMI LY ) S UE DOHRIN ; (P LACE YOU R CHIPS) FRASE R SIMPSON TAKING ORDERS The robot shown here can move only horizontally or vertically from where it stands If it’s ordered to go in any one of its four available directions, it will continue as far as it can in that direction before it stops When it encounters a single box, it will push it until it can’t go any further in that direction However, it isn’t strong enough to push multiple boxes at once, meaning that two or more boxes stacked next to each other will just stop it where it is, as will a wall or a box stacked against a wall How could you order the robot out of the room, presuming the doorway is too narrow to push a box through? DOORWAY RUNS IN THE FAMILY Jim and his daughter Sam both ran in a six mile race Jim finished in 49 minutes, Sam in 54 Jim ran at a perfectly steady pace, but Sam lost steam and took exactly 25 per cent more time to complete the second half of the race, compared to the first Jim’s wife and Sam’s mother, Heather, stood at the halfway mark to cheer them on as they passed Who went by her first? 40 60 10 10 50 25 65 80 10 35 30 70 55 50 50 25 PLACE YOUR CHIPS You have a stack of poker chips that are each worth £5, £10 or £25 You need to put them on the squares of this grid—but no more than one chip per square—so that their value totals the amount of pounds shown for each row, column and long diagonal Not every square needs to have a chip on it Several chips and one blank space (designated by a star) have been placed to get you started Can you finish the grid? APRIL 2019 • 137 BRAIN TEASERS CROSSWISE Test your general knowledge Answers on p142 ACROSS DOWN 10 11 13 14 18 19 21 23 24 28 29 30 31 10 12 15 16 17 Husky (7) Highest (7) Complete (6) Opening (8) Shades (10) Restraint (4) Unsullied (6) Foretells (8) Fleet commander’s vessel (8) Chaise longue (6) Having no money (4) Writing materials (10) Large amount of electrical power (8) Stoppage (6) Profound (7) Nervous (7) 138 • APRIL 2019 20 22 25 26 27 Member of the Indian majority (5) Unpaid (5) Eighth letter of the Greek alphabet (5) Lay out too much (9) Motherhood (9) Table napkin (9) Fabulous story-teller (5) Permit (3) Eve of All Saints’ Day (9) Source of sweetness (5,4) Recipients of one of St Paul’s Epistles (9) Braid (5) Fuss (3) Relative by marriage (2-3) The dark (5) Achieve (5) READER’S DIGEST POT OF GOLD PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT 5 4 5 TAKING ORDERS £50 PRIZE QUESTION Answer published in the May issue Which of the four words below this is the definition of the first word? Prepare Seasoning Stealth Channel Brainteasers: Answers THE FIRST CORRECT ANSWER WE PICK WINS £50!* Email excerpts@ readersdigest.co.uk =BOX THAT HAS MOVED =BOX THAT HASN’T MOVED RUNS IN THE FAMILY Sam, by half a minute PLACE YOUR CHIPS 10 10 10 10 10 25 25 10 10 25 10 10 25 5 10 10 10 10 ANSWER TO MARCH’S PRIZE QUESTION TEMAN = meant AND THE £50 GOES TO… Barbara Brooks, Cannock APRIL 2019 • 139 FUN & GAMES Laugh! Win £30 for every reader’s joke we publish! Go to readersdigest.co.uk/contact-us or facebook.com/readersdigestuk I HATE IT WHEN WOMEN SAY TO ME, “I just don’t like to lift weights I’m worried I’ll get too muscular.” Do you know how much time I’ve spent at the gym just to look this average? That’s like walking up to a piano and saying, “Don’t let me touch those keys, I’m worried I’ll accidentally write a concerto.” COMEDIAN NELSON LINSANITY I NEVER REALLY UNDERSTOOD WHY parents tell their children that if somebody is bullying them, they should just say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” If somebody is already bullying Puppy to Pooch These strong owners show off their best friend’s progression from lap dog to top dog (via boredpanda.com) 140 • APRIL 2019 you, why would you tell them, “What you’re doing isn’t working, but if you tried weapons…” SEEN ON REDDIT I THINK IT’S REALLY WEIRD when you give someone flowers Really what you’re saying is, “Here you go, now watch these die, cause I like you.” I think you should give someone flowers if you want to threaten them: “Here, you’re next Better put your feet in water cause I’m coming for you…” COMEDIAN DEMETRI MARTIN I LOVE COMEDY I WAS TELLING my Uber driver that I was on my way to perform and he said, “Wow, how cool that you comedy! You’re so READER’S DIGEST brave If you find a community that’s supportive and uplifting you should go all in and align yourself with them, because you’re worth your own happiness.” So I’m doing it! I’m going to be an Uber driver COMEDIAN CAROLINE TWYMAN I’M VERY AGAINST FAST FOOD corporations replacing their workers with computers It’s not because I worry about the potential effects automation will have on the working poor, but because a human face is the only thing that stops me from ordering a number one through ten COMEDIAN MIKE AMORY MY UNCLE WORKS AS A LION tamer When he went bankrupt, they took nearly everything But at least he’s still got his pride COMEDIAN GARY DELANEY I RECENTLY WENT TO A COMPETITION to see who had gained the most weight and lost the most hair Obviously it wasn’t called that It was called a “school reuinion” SEEN ONLINE I MADE MY TELEVISION DEBUT this year on the show Law & Order: DVU It was a very small part, I played a waiter But I really wanted to well so to prepare for it, I actually became a waiter for ten years COMEDIAN GIAN-MARCO SORESI THERE HAVE NOW BEEN 159 SEASONS of House Hunters, and they still haven’t shot a single house! SEEN ONLINE I DON’T LIKE IT WHEN PEOPLE fixate on one thing about a performer and then judge them based on that I have so many female comedian friends, and if any of them goes and tells two jokes, they’re labelled a “sex comic” Meanwhile I go and tell lots of jokes about all the sex I’m having and people label me a “liar” COMEDIAN PEDRO GONZALEZ APRIL 2019 • 141 LAUGH New Rules Twitter users share the everyday things they think should be made illegal @CJ7Ten: “It should be illegal to let Netflix ask, ‘Are you still watching?’Yes Netflix, I am in fact still watching my eighth consecutive episode of Grey’s Anatomy @LissyIsBusy: “It should be illegal to only give me one sauce when I order a tenpiece chicken nugget box I require a minimum of one sauce per three nuggets @AGillenwater98: “It should be illegal to sneeze more than twice in a row You only get one ‘bless you’ and after that you’re on your own.” @Margeson_Danny: “It should be illegal to give me a merchant receipt, a customer receipt and a third receipt every time I go out for food What exactly am I supposed to with all this documentation for my nachos?” MY TYPE IN RELATIONSHIPS IS ME, but better That’s OK, I just need to find somebody who wants himself, but much, much worse COMEDIAN SIMON AMSTELL A SMALL BOY WALKED INTO A FISHMONGERS proudly carrying a goldfish in a bowl He cautiously asked the fishmonger, “Do you sell fishcakes?” “Of course,” came the reply “Thank goodness,” he cried, holding up the goldfish bowl “It’s his birthday!” PATRICK BROADHURST, N o r t h Yo r k s h i r e I DON’T DO DRUGS IF I WANT A RUSH, I just stand up when I’m not expecting it COMEDIAN DYLAN MORAN CHILDREN ALWAYS WANT TO DO STUFF They get angry, they say, “Aw, we didn’t anything all day!” But if you ever ask an adult what they did over the weekend and they say they didn’t anything, their faces just light up COMEDIAN JOHN MULANEY I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED the saleswoman, “Whereabouts is the selfhelp section?” She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose… SEEN ONLINE CROSSWORD ANSWERS Across: Throaty, Topmost, Entire, 10 Aperture, 11 Sunglasses, 13 Rein, 14 Chaste, 18 Predicts, 19 Flagship, 21 Daybed, 23 Poor, 24 Stationery, 28 Megawatt, 29 Logjam, 30 Intense, 31 Twitchy Down: Hindu, Owing, Theta, Overspend, Maternity, Serviette, 10 Aesop, 12 Let, 15 Halloween, 16 Sugar cane, 17 Ephesians, 20 Plait, 22 Ado, 25 In-law, 26 Night, 27 Reach 142 • APRIL 2019 60 Stand-Up -Second We giggle with energetic comedian, Kieran Hodgson WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF YOUR CURRENT SHOW? My Howard Wilson WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ONE LINER? There’s an old Les Dawson gag impression I a bit where he and other Labour politicians from the 1970s are dancing around like the gangs in West Side Story and that is a lot of fun to It’s quite a weird moment for the audience as well where he says, “I went to the doctor’s and asked, ‘What have you got for wind?’ He gave me a kite.” WHO INSPIRES YOUR COMEDY? A lot of character comedians and sketch artists such as The League Of Gentlemen and Harry Enfield With stand-up, I like Eddie Izzard, he’s someone who’s happy to talk about indepth subjects such as European history It made me think that I could comedy like that if I wanted DO YOU HAVE ANY FUNNY TALES ABOUT A TIME YOU BOMBED ON STAGE? I did a show about Lance Armstrong to an audience of people who worked in the cycling industry and I don’t think they liked it—it was a full hour of silence After about half an hour I realised there was no turning back and then it just became quite funny to me WHICH SUPER POWER WOULD YOU HAVE? Just to run around the rooftops like on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it looked like they were having a whale of a time—it’s pretty much the only thing I’ve ever wanted to as a superpower DO YOU FIND ANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO BE FUNNIER THAN OTHERS? I’m a Yorkshire man so I draw all of my inspiration from growing up there and the people I met and grew up with They remain the funniest for me, but I’ve recently been working in Scotland on a sitcom and there’s a great deal of Glaswegian wit I’ve been enjoying as well n Kieran Hodgson is touring nationwide from March 8-May 28 For information and tickets go to kieranhodgson-tour.com FOR MORE, GO TO READERSDIGEST.CO.UK/INSPIRE/HUMOUR APRIL 2019 • 143 LAUGH Beat the Cartoonist! In the May Issue Interview: Bonnie Tyler The singer on her new album and what it’s like to have such a legendary voice Think of a witty caption for this cartoon—the three best suggestions, along with the cartoonist’s original, will be posted on our website in mid-April If your entry gets the most votes, you’ll win £50 Submit to captions@readersdigest.co.uk or online at readersdigest.co.uk/fun-games by April We’ll announce the winner in our June issue The day has finally come for our cartoonist to snatch back the crown, with his own hilarious caption—“Well, actually, it’s not a corner is it?” — taking the top spot this month Think you could better? Then don’t let our cartoonist get complacent! Enter this month’s competition online and you could be the next reader to steal back our Beat the Cartoonist crown 144 • APRIL 2019 CARTOONST: STEVE JONES / BI LL H OUSTON February’s Winner What Happens When We Die? Extraordinary stories from people who’ve been moments from death Plus SURVIVING A CULT The incredible stories of three people who not only survived a cult, but used their experiences to help others HALF PRICE SALE Buy any chair, settee or bed and get any second item half price Oak collection Rise in Comfort Sit back in comfort and style At Oak Tree, we think everyone should be free to enjoy a rich and fulfilling life With our top-quality adjustable chairs and beds, we have already helped thousands to exactly that UNIQUE HIGH LEG LIFT For improved circulation BRITISH-MADE PRODUCTS Handmade in the United Kingdom DESIGNED FOR YOU Chairs and Beds made to fit Our Exclusive Offer to You SAVE £250 ** When you trade in your old chair, settee or bed save at least £250 off the purchase price Hazel collection Being able to elevate my legs and reduce swelling gives me greater freedom of movement The chair is marvellous Mrs Campbell, London To receive your complimentary brochure and £250 trade-in, call us free on Oak Tree Mobility Your comfort is our strength 0800 470 1863 and quote 1219/XY/21 *Half price offer valid on all second items Half price item must be of the same value or less than your chosen item and must be ordered at the same time Offer ends 30th April 2019 **Trade-in offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 18.02 - E&OE - © All rights reserved Oak Tree Mobility Ltd 2017 ... made it their mission to help others the same through some unique if somewhat unconventional methods Eva Follow us facebook.com/readersdigestuk twitter.com/readersdigestuk @readersdigest _uk You... afternoon teas, exhibitions and more at tickets.readersdigest.co .uk or call 020 7400 1238 Regards, Reader’s Digest tickets.readersdigest.co .uk | 020 7400 1238 In This Issue… EDITORS’ LETTERS Like... survive and thrive in 2019 To subscribe to Digested for monthly episodes—including our latest, “The Happy Ever After Myth”—visit readersdigest.co .uk/ podcast or search “Digested” on iTunes SUBSCRIBE