Your problems solved, with Holly Harper

Dear Holly,
I decided recently that I’ve had enough of buying expensive shaving products, and spending loads of time every morning having a shave. Now my beard has grown in thick and full, I reckon I look fine but my husband doesn’t agree. Should I just shave it off again to keep him happy?
Lorraine,
Dudley

Dear Lorraine,
You should count yourself lucky. Last time we were playing pirates in the back garden, I ended up having to shave my granny’s dog, Bilko, with my mummy’s kitchen scissors so we had enough hair to make a convincing beard for the pirate king. It was good for a while but you could see the Sellotape and it was only a matter of time before Granny found Bilko shivering behind the sofa and went mental. You’re also lucky that you’ve only got a beard to worry about: the other day in ballet class we could all see Amanda Sullivan’s ginger pubes through her leotard, which was extremely funny at first but was quite distracting after a while and really put me right off my demi-pliés.
Hope that helps!
Holly

Your astrological week ahead, with Psychic Bob

Cancer (21 JUN-22 JUL)
After being star-struck when you walk past a minor Eastenders actor during a visit to London, it briefly occurs to you that, given every action has an equal and opposite reaction, the actor must have briefly felt pleb-struck.

Leo (23 JUL-22 AUG)
This week, why not go to Wimbledon and shout ‘Come on Tim!’ as loud as possible, just before a serve, regardless of who’s playing?

Virgo (23 AUG-22 SEP)
Your position as English professor is becoming untenable as the bosses notice the increasing amounts of John Grisham and James Herbert in the syllabus. Just wait until they see the module on Chris Ryan you’ve put together.

Libra (23 SEP-23 OCT)
There’s nothing like a home-made dessert so this week you treat yourself to a lovely sherry trifle. The only ingredients missing were sponge, jelly, custard, fruit and cream. Still, it took the the edge off the pain, right?

Scorpio (24 OCT-21 NOV)
As you lie in bed waiting to die, surrounded by your loved ones, you’re struck by quite how badly Mattress Warehouse react to you having a kip in their window display.

Sagittarius (22 NOV-21 DEC)
Given that Andy Murray can serve a tennis ball at 120mph, is there any chance you could serve me my bastard drinks some time before last orders?

Capricorn (22 DEC-19 JAN)
I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that’s real. But anyway, enough about me, thanks for calling The Samaritans, how can I help?

Aquarius (20 JAN-19 FEB)
This week your partner sits you down to address the fact that her emotional needs aren’t being met and that you refuse to acknowledge the work the relationship needs. And just as Top Gear is starting, the fucking cow.

Pisces (20 FEB-20 MAR)
Your patient is probably anxious to know where they are on the kidney donor waiting list, so when they ask whether you’ve got a match do try not to say ‘your face, my arse’.

Aries (21 MAR-19 APR)
Why bother exploring new avenues for your characters or utilising unexpected plot developments to keep the audience guessing? Go through the old script, find & replace ‘Vegas’ with ‘Thailand’, throw in a monkey and Bob’s your depressingly rich and predictable uncle.

Taurus (20 APRIL – 20 MAY)
You’re currently halfway through your ‘100 things to do before you die’ list. Do get a move on, I can’t wait in your garden shed nursing a shotgun forever, you know.

Gemini (21 MAY-20 JUN)
This horoscope has been sponsored by cheap, flavourless, own-brand supermarket orange squash. This week you will want to drink gallons of cheap, flavourless, own-brand supermarket orange squash.