Inhoudsopgave van 47 - 2017 - Best

‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Katie was terrified of growing old and having wrinkles’ Katie Price owes her career to her adventures in plastic surgery, shooting to fame while still in her teens as glamour model ‘Jordan’, notorious for her inflated bosom. But recently, her increasingly bizarre appearance has caused shock and concern among fans. The 39-year-old mumof-five has appeared in public and on Loose Women with a noticeably puffy face. An onlooker who saw her recently at a public event said, ‘I gasped out loud when I realised it was her. She looked really weird and unnatural. It is quite shocking, when you think how pretty she used to be.’ It’s a view echoed by the medical profession – plastic surgeon Mark Ho-Asjoe recently commented that the Loose Women…

TOP TIP Styles with a full skirt can create the illusion of shape if you’re lacking in curves. TOP TIP Go for versatile tailoring. Wear as a suit or separates to add the ‘wow’ factor throughout the party season. TOP TIP A statement coat looks as good with jeans as it does with your favourite dress. TOP TIP Look out for soft jersey fabrics – they’re figureflatterers, as they skim over curves. Turn over for more red-hot fashion…

Christmas is a special time of year for most people – seeing family, sharing gifts, eating nice food and watching festive TV – but how much attention do you pay to the sounds and smells of the festive season? Because, for me, that’s what’s most magical about December. Every year, Christmas officially begins the minute I go to the home of Nanny Duck, my grandma Deborah, and she hands me a box of Quality Street. When I lift off the lid, the sweet, tantalising smells hit me. Then, I rummage through the box, feeling the shapes as the wrappers rustle against each other, until I find my favourite: the toffee finger. My hands, nose and ears all help me identify things, as I was diagnosed at birth with septo-optic dysplasia,…

Anti-ageing guru Lesley Reynolds reveals the latest treatments to help you stay youthful Whatever you’re planning to wear over the festive season, you’ll want to be party-gear proof. Try our fast-track body boosters and turn heads this Christmas. CLEAVAGE CONFIDENCE Plunging neckline? The chest is often exposed to the sun and can age faster than facial skin. Mesotherapy will help rejuvenate a crinkly cleavage. It involves microinjections of a cocktail of vitamins and peptides (molecules that are found in our skin and help repair damage) around the cleavage to increase skin moisture naturally, fading fine lines and age spots, as well as boosting collagen and elastin production. You’ll see smoother skin within a week but, for best results, a course of three weekly sessions may be needed. From £250. BACKLESS…

Countdown to Christmas MENU FOR SIX ✪ Smoked Salmon Pâté ✪ Sticky Pigs in Blankets ✪ Stilton and Grape Bites ✪ Glazed Turkey Crown with Stuffing and Sprouts ✪ All-in-one Roast Veg ✪ Quick Gravy ✪ Easy Bread Sauce ✪ Mincemeat Tart or Christmas Cake Trifle Your fail-safe time plan Every recipe in our easy menu is super simple, quick and fail-safe. For guaranteed success in bringing the whole meal together smoothly, follow our triple-tested time plan. If you want to get even further ahead, you can follow the Get Ahead instructions at the end of our recipes, so there’s even less to do right before the main event. ON THE DAY, TO SERVE THE CANAPÉS AT 2PM: ✪ 11AM If making, prepare and bake Mincemeat Tart or, if making…

For 28 years, Debbie McGee was very happy, as both Paul Daniels’ wife and his onstage assistant during his successful magic shows for TV and in the theatre. But, in March 2016, Paul died, aged 77, of a brain tumour. The couple had been doing panto over Christmas and New Year and, apart from being a bit overtired, Paul seemed his usual self. Sadly, this wasn’t just fatigue – it was cancer, and he lost his cruelly short battle with the disease in only five weeks. In the time since her heartbreaking loss, Debbie, 59, has begun to work through her grief, and has found herself in demand – firstly talking about Paul, but then very much as a star in her own right. She’s made TV documentaries like Channel…

FESTIVE CHEER For a warm and inviting living room, shop for scents combining zesty fruits and winter spices. TOP TIP Place a diffuser in a high-traffic area, such as the hallway. A beautiful fragrance will greet guests as they arrive in your home. WINTER WONDERL AND Fresh pine and woodland fragrances bring the outdoors inside on cold, winter evenings. TOP TIP If you have an artificial tree, a woodlandscented candle is a great way to cheat a pine tree fragrance! SUGA R & S PIC E Take inspiration from the Christmas kitchen with products that smell good enough to eat! TOP TIP Trim the wick before each burn. This will help to prevent it burning black or making ugly rings around the jar.…

‘A good choccie is indulgent’ Chocolatier Kiri Kalenko, 30, creates and designs goodies for Hotel Chocolat. She lives in Cambridge with her partner. ‘ ‘When I describe my job to my friends, I tell them to imagine Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. My days are spent imagining, developing, designing and tasting the most gorgeous chocolates you can think of. People always ask, “How did you find such an amazing job?” Basically, I studied home economics at university and came into this job as a product development apprentice. My team works 15 months ahead, so we are already looking at the delicious goodies that will be filling the shelves for Christmas 2018. A good Christmas choccie is indulgent. I’m always looking for a seasonal twist, like a glug of brandy or the…

Claire crafts Christmas The Steps tour is in full swing, and we are all loving being back on the road! My thoughts are still on Christmas, as I love to make a few new decorations every year. Making your own snow globe is a great option, as they are really quick to do and can be placed anywhere in the house. You can have so much fun with this project and anything goes, so play away. Love Claire xx WHAT YOU NEED Thick cardboard Jars A selection of small decorations, like mini trees or a toy car (Hobbycraft has some brilliant ones) Glue gun Mod Podge glue Decorative snow Ribbon Glitter HOW TO MAKE IT 1 Take your thick cardboard and cut a circle out using the top of the…

HOW TO ENTER BY POST: Send a postcard with your name, address, phone number and email address to The Entertainer Giveaway (followed by the GVBSTN code on the prize(s) of your choice), Hearst Magazines UK, The Data Solutions Centre, Worksop S80 2RT. Closing date for postal entries is 30 November 2017. PHONE: Call the 09010 telephone number* for the prize(s) of your choice by midnight on 27 November 2017. WIN! A TAILORED TOY BUNDLE FROM THE ENTERTAINER, WORTH £100 EACH The Entertainer is your go-to toy shop this Christmas, no matter what your child's age, stocking a whole host of fun and creative presents whatever their interest, including the Experimake Sludge & Slime set (left). To view what they have to offer, just visit www.TheToyShop.com. We have three personalised toy…

‘On the show, you forget the cameras are there, which can be dangerous at times’ When best meets Loose Women regular Saira Khan, she’s rocking a pair of skinny black jeans and a black mesh top – an ensemble that, for another 47-year-old, might be a bold move – but on slim, striking Saira, it’s stunning. Runner-up on the first-ever series of The Apprentice in 2005, the chatty TV star’s fashion choices are as bold as her personality, which has seen her confess on the chat show to marriage problems, childhood sexual abuse, the effect of growing up with a strict father and the realities of being a Muslim woman in Britain. A mum-of-two – she has son Zachariah, eight, who was conceived by IVF, and adopted daughter Amara, six,…

Listen thing! Nick Knowles, presenter of DIY SOS, has moved from the building site to the recording studio and released his first album, Every Kind Of People. Nick, 55, who split from his wife Jessica –with whom he shares son Eddie, three – in 2016, believes his distinctive, low voice means he stands out from the crowd. BEHIND THE SCENES WITH best ‘I don’t have a revolving door in my bedroom!’ As well as fronting DIY SOS – now in its 13th year – Nick has presented TV’s Who Dares Wins, Break The Safe and 5-Star Family Reunion. Have you always been musical? I always played in bands, in school and beyond. I got close to being signed, but then TV got in the way! When we do DIY SOS,…

‘Simon and I love to wind each other up’ X Factor judge Louis Walsh talks about arguments with big boss Simon, his predictions on who will win the show and his hopes for 2018’s judging panel… H e’s an X Factor veteran, featuring on almost every show since it started, and he’s signed up again to be a judge for 2018. As this year’s final nears, he reveals all about the live shows, and why he has no plans to retire just yet… How do you think the new-look live shows are working? They’re much better. Just voting off contestants on a Sunday made it more difficult. Everybody hated the Sunday show. Now the whole weekend is more of an even playing field. Was it nerve-wracking doing the first live…

PRAGUE When: 2 December-6 January What: Even the biggest Grinch will feel festive stepping into the Czech city’s two main squares, the Old Town and Wenceslas (as in the carol!), with their fairy-tale lights, glasses of sva?ák (warm wine) – and maybe even snow. Around five minutes’ walk from erdelník (sugar-coated pastries). Stay: The four-star Hotel Josef (from L99 per night; hoteljosef.com) is in the Old Town, a minute’s walk from the squares. l czechtourism.com/e/christmasmarkets-prague COLOGNE When: 27 November-23 December What: Around two million visitors descend on Germany each winter to enjoy seven different markets in the shadow of Cologne Cathedral and the largest tree you’ll probably ever see. Let kids loose on Alter Markt, with its puppet shows, roundabout and Santa’s grotto, then head for the Village of St…

1 HEDWIG, IS THAT YOU? There’s no question that looking at this cute creature makes us feel festive, but does this snowy owl take anyone else back to the early Harry Potter days? There’s something about a fluffy white owl that makes us want to go straight back to Hogwarts – ideally around Christmas time! These three shimmering starlets may be wearing silver, but they win first place in the style stakes 2 Who wowed the crowd? If you can’t shimmer and sparkle at Christmas, when can you? Take tips from Kylie Minogue, 49, Blake Lively, 30, and Joanne Froggatt, 37, who shone like stars in silver. The key is to keep it simple and team with accessories in the same shade. 3 STRIPE A POSE! With her annual charity…

‘Christmas is a very special time for the Queen, and it’s all about family,’ says Katie Nicholl, royal expert and author of a forthcoming book on Prince Harry. ‘Her Majesty never opens her famous red box of government documents on Christmas Day. She is focused on the religious meaning of the season, and being with family.’ The Queen and Prince Philip usually travel to Norfolk by train a week before Christmas (often startling unsuspecting commuters!). But, since his retirement, Prince Philip, 96, has been spending more time at Wood Farm, a ‘cottage’ on the Sandringham Estate, so it may be that the Queen, now 91, will take the King’s Lynn train without her husband. But the big question is not how they will get to Sandringham, but who will be…

‘The panto outfits are brilliant. I love blinging it up, so I’m in my element’ Mum-of-four Sandi Bogle, 52, the south Londoner with the big personality, first found fame as a hilarious telly addict on Channel 4’s Gogglebox alongside her equally larger-than-life pal Sandra Martin. Since leaving the TV show, the age-defying star (well, she is Naomi Campbell’s cousin!) has launched a music career, appeared in Celebrity Big Brother and TLC show Celebrity Fat Camp, and is set to star in her first Christmas panto... Hi, Sandi! So, how are you? I’m good – busy as always and full of plans. Unfortunately, I can’t let the cat out of the bag – just yet – about what I’ve been up to. But it is very exciting. You’re such a smiley, happy…

JOIN THE CONVERSATION Is it OK to be untraditional? It’s the time of year where we, the British people, take it upon ourselves to judge and compare the annual Christmas ads of our best-loved stores. This year, M&S took a slightly different take on its ad, with a burglar being mistaken for Father Christmas. While the advert does feature our very own national treasure, Paddington Bear, some have said that it wasn’t what they were expecting. But does that make it wrong? The burglar is moved to tears by the end as he is handed the gift of a marmalade sandwich – so, if it’s still got the meaning of Christmas behind it, does it really matter? WHAT DO YOU THINK? Tell us at facebook.com/bestmagazine Snowman snacks They’re a piece…

Take on trousers Can’t find a dress? Make a statement in bold bottoms. Jump to it! A cropped jumpsuit is a must-have that will take you into next season. TAP THE APP Spending Tracker helps you keep control of your finances so you can save for a festive wardrobe! Skin saviour Flash some flesh in the right places. Arm candy A long sleeve will look flattering as well as keeping you warm!…

HOW TO MAKE A GIN TONICA 1. Start off with a Gin Tonica glass. 2. Add fresh ice cubes to fill threequarters of the glass. 3. Stir gently for 15 seconds to chill the glass. 4. Pour away any liquid from the melted ice. 5. Top up the glass with more ice. 6. Add the gin, coating the ice as you pour. 7. Add the tonic water. Pouring slowly helps the tonic to keep its fizz. 8. Add your garnish. 9. Let it rest for 30 seconds to allow the flavours to integrate with each other. AUTUMNAL GIN AND TONIC Darnley’s View Spiced Gin has an array of sweet and savoury spiced notes that are comforting as the nights draw in. Paired with Double Dutch Cranberry Tonic, the result is…

Jo Wood divorced Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood in 2011, after 26 years of marriage. The 62-year-old star once had a crazy life on the road, but has swapped her days of excess for organic eating. Jo is dating builder Paul Scarborough and has two children, Leah and Tyrone, from her marriage to Ronnie, plus Jamie, who Ronnie later adopted, from a previous relationship. She is now a grandmother of 10… Jo, how do you manage to look so good? Thank you! It’s all through diet and exercise, and I’ve been an organic girl since 1991 [Jo was ill and misdiagnosed with Crohn’s disease]. I don’t eat dairy, red meat or sugar – I have nothing like that in my house. When I was going through my toughest time, divorcing…

Got a diary packed with nights out? The last thing you need at Christmas is any hair hassles, yet, at this time of year, your locks probably need more TLC than ever. Harsh weather takes its toll, and product build-up doesn’t help, either. We’ve found five hot hair buys to take the stress out of the party season… Fake it yourself Shiny hair heroes If all you want for Christmas is glossy locks, the answer lies in your kitchen. No doubt you’ll have heard that beer is a good remedy, and it’s true! Alcohol can be drying, so don’t make this an everyday treatment, but the hops in beer are full of protein. They’ll help to strengthen the hair, therefore boosting its shine. After shampooing and before conditioning, pour around…

Winter wonderland Woodland creatures combined with rustic decorations bring a touch of nature to your home. Merry kitschmas! Give traditional red and white a fun spin by mixing in cute decorations that will get everyone talking. Turn over for more decorations Blue Christmas Introduce inky blue and cool copper to gold baubles to give a glamorous 2017 twist! Ice palace Cool shades of metallic pastel mix brilliantly with classic white and silver.…

BLOCK BUSTERS The Book Of Dust: La Belle Sauvage Philip Pullman David Fickling, £9.99 The man behind Northern Lights works his magic again, with the first instalment in a new trilogy. In a world of witchcraft and dæmons, 11-year-old Malcolm Polstead saves future heroine Lyra Belacqua from danger in a thrilling adventure. A Legacy Of Spies John le Carré Penguin, £9.99 The iconic George Smiley of the British Secret Service makes a comeback in this elegant espionage story, which shows that the 84-year-old author has lost none of his razorsharp insight. A gripping thriller, with a melancholy edge. THE QUEEN OF CRIME IS BACK WITH ANOTHER GRIPPING NOVEL Damaged Martina Cole Headline, £20 DCI Kate Burrows comes out of retirement to track down a serial killer in a chain of events that started…

Luvabella doll, £99.99 Recommended by: John Lewis, Toys R Us and Argos. This artificial intelligencepowered doll is tipped to be the Christmas toy of the year. In fact, it’s so popular that it’s already out of stock at retailers, including Smyths and Argos. Fortunately, most stores are expecting to have the dolls back on sale before 15 December. You’ll want to keep checking back as the dolls are already being sold on eBay for £135 – so, if you can snap one up in the shops, you’ll save nearly £40. Lego Boost Creative Toolbox, £149.99 Recommended by: Argos and the Good Housekeeping Institute. This cool, buildable robot made the top toys list for both Argos and the GHI. It can be built into five different forms, including a cat, a guitar and…

1 Get Santa SUNDAY, SKY CINEMA FAMILY, 6.15PM What better way to spend the last Sunday evening of November than settling down to watch a Christmas movie? Bring on December! See Jim Broadbent as you’ve never seen him before as he stars as the one and only Father Christmas in this fun, festive family film. After crash-landing his sleigh in the middle of London, Santa enlists the help of a young boy and his ex-con father, who find him hiding in their shed, to help get the big man back to his all-important business. Things take a chaotic turn for the worse, with Santa on the run from the police and reindeer on the loose in London. Will Santa make it back to Lapland in time to save Christmas?! Co-starring…

CHRISTMAS ON CORONATION STREET – MAGGIE SULLIVAN The first in a series of official Corrie novels introduces 16-yearold Elsie, who marries Arnold Tanner and moves to the Street in 1939. HarperCollins, £12.99 THE SLIPPER AND THE ROSE The Cinderella story is given a wonderful musical makeover starring Richard Chamberlain, Gemma Craven and Annette Crosbie. Released for the first time in high-definition Blu-ray. RRP £14.99 DON’T MISS SONGS FROM THE STAGE Three queens of musical theatre – Amber Riley, Beverley Knight and Cassidy Janson – unite to belt out hits from musicals like Dreamgirls, The Bodyguard and Beautiful, as seen on Children In Need. EastWest Records, £10…

Jeff Brazier, 38, has been sole parent to sons Bobby, 14, and Freddie, 13, since their mum, Big Brother star Jade Goody, died of cervical cancer in 2009, aged just 27. He talks about looking to the future as a family – and how they keep Jade’s memory alive. Jeff, how’s family life with two growing boys? Hands-on! A lot of hormones. I sense I’m close to the day they take their driving test, graduate, or move out. I’m making the most of every day with them, it’s going to flash by. My children have been my purpose for the past 14 years – especially the past eight, when the responsibility fell squarely on my shoulders. Is it tough, being both mum and dad? It’s parenting the hard way! I…

‘It would be great to give Teddy a sibling, but we can’t take it for granted that it’ll happen’ Did you know? The family-of-three will be spending Christmas in Alex’s husband Charlie’s native New Zealand. It will be Alex’s first away from her own parents in Wales. When The One Show co-host Alex Jones gave birth to her first child, Teddy, in January, shortly before her 40th birthday, she became part of a growing number of women overjoyed to become first-time mums later in life. But being an older mum throws up its own unique set of worries. After marrying husband Charlie Thomson on New Year’s Eve 2015, Alex was thrilled to get pregnant without any major obstacles. And, as she prepares for her first Christmas as a mum, Alex…

‘Meghan loves Christmas and will definitely get involved with decorating Harry’s London home’ This may well be the last Christmas that Prince Harry and girlfriend Meghan Markle will spend apart – but the US actress will only receive a formal invite from the Queen to join the Royal Family for Christmas if, and when, they get engaged. Royal expert Katie Nicholl reckons, though, that Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, will have their own personal celebration before Harry goes to Norfolk. ‘Meghan loves Christmas and will definitely get involved with decorating Nottingham Cottage – Harry’s home at Kensington Palace, London – making it lovely and festive. I think they will have a cosy “pre-Christmas” together, then Harry will head off for Norfolk,’ says Katie. ‘Meghan has already transformed Nottingham Cottage. It was…

THE WAY I SEE IT... Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘Is it me, or are we being engulfed in a kind of “gender-neutral” hysteria? A teacher who inadvertently addressed a transgender pupil in the “wrong” gender is facing charges of “misgendering”. Who knew there was such a thing? We all do now. The Church of England is also toeing the line. Its chief education officer, the Reverend Nigel Genders (yes, really), has confirmed that all Church of England schools must now treat pupils as “gender-neutral”. We’ve also seen couples advertise for nannies who must adhere to strict “gender-neutral” rules. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a “phobe” anything, or against the idea that some people are – or, at least, seriously believe – that they were…

Quick energy boosters are really important for the festive party season, when it’s easy to get run-down before you’ve even hit the dance floor. Taking the time to think about what you’re going to be eating and your routine for the week can give you all the energy you need to survive and thrive at this time of year. CATCH SOME ZZZs The party season can start to feel hectic, with late nights an unavoidable part of the routine. Don’t let lack of sleep be the undoing of you! Not getting good-quality sleep, even for one night, makes you irritable and very much less than your best. Schedule early nights, go to bed with no phone or screens near you, and make sure you have the most peaceful sleep you…

MY FANTASY If I could completely choreograph a group routine, it would be really beautiful – the most elegant, pretty, calm, quiet and understated ballroom number. Like our recent nod to Remembrance Day. Those are the group dances that touch an audience. BUFF GIOVANNI Have you noticed dancer Giovanni Pernice has always got his shirt off ? If you watch the results show, it’s hilarious – he’s constantly flexed! He has got a good set of abs, but if you do see him caught off-guard, they’re not quite so defined… but, hey, he works out and looks good. You show-off, Giovanni! ‘I’m usually the one roped into wearing something ridiculous!’ Sad Anton It wasn’t broadcast, but Anton du Beke got very emotional after he and partner Ruth Langsford were eliminated.…

Early-bird gift Perfect for newlyweds…

HOW IT WORKS 1 If there’s ever a time we need energy, it’s Christmas party season, right? It’s tempting to reach for energy drinks or sweet treats to perk us up when we’re exhausted. But research shows short-term fixes just leave us more tired in the long run. 2 What actually works is regularly eating food that converts into energy slowly. This way, you have a constant stream of energy, instead of ups and downs. Studies show that eating a balanced diet, including plenty of protein (like chicken and fish), fibre (like veg) and carbs that have a low glycaemic index – in other words, carbs that convert into sugar in our blood more slowly (like wholemeal bread and pasta) – is the key to helping energy levels. 3 Choose…

His sarcastic putdowns on Strictly Come Dancing are legendary, and Craig Revel Horwood is unapologetic about his uncompromising on-screen persona. Here, Craig – who will soon finish a West End run as Miss Hannigan in Annie and move straight into panto rehearsals – talks about the show, his bad hips and his love-life since splitting from long-term partner Damon Scott last year. Hi, Craig! How are you getting on with new Strictly judge Shirley Ballas? So well! I love her judging style. She’s more technical than me – and I like that, because she comes from that world. I like that she says it like it is, like me – except she takes longer to say it. When Strictly started to become popular, was it odd being recognised? I had…

Best ON Test Super straighteners Nicky Clarke Super ShineSalon Professional Straightener, £89.99 Smooths through hair without dragging, and because the swivel cord is 360º, the tool is easy to use even at the back of your head. Remington ProLuxe Straightener, £79.99 Heats up in no time, and makes a quick job of smoothing typically frizzy hair, leaving it polished and super-glossy. Impressive! Braun Satin Hair 7 Hair Straightener, £99.99 A clever concept where the tool ‘reads’ your hair and adapts temperature accordingly. It left hair smooth and soft without feeling frazzled. Blow-dry boosters Revlon Salon One Step Hair Dryer & Volumiser, £59.99 A double-sided brush with three heat settings. The hair gained volume, but there were no instructions and it was quite heavy. Phil Smith Salon Collection Paddle Brush, £20…

Gloria Hunniford is a mum of three and grandmother of 10. She’s been divorced, remarried and learned to deal with the loss of her daughter and, on Rip Off Britain, she battles consumer issues. In her own words, she’s ‘lived a lot’. So, ask Gloria anything… Green-eyed monster over sister’s gifts I am a single mum and cash is tight, while my older sister has a rich partner and a good job herself – so money is not a problem. She insists on spending loads of money on my kids at Christmas – and, invariably, the presents she gets them are better than I can afford. I feel ashamed to admit it, but it makes me feel jealous and angry. Is it selfish of me to stand in the way…

‘“Your grotto is amazing, Mrs Claus,” said one boy who admired the lights’ Have you ever walked through your local streets in December and seen those houses covered in twinkling festive lights, making the whole road shine brighter than a Christmas star? Well, that’s what my husband, John, and I always do, and we’re decorating our home earlier and earlier each year! I’ve always adored the magic of Christmas, spending time with loved ones and listening to beautiful carols. Our love of the festive season is one of the things that brought John and me, now both 74, together. We first met aged 10, having grown up in the same town, but we lost touch when we went to different secondary schools. We needn’t have worried, though, as we found…

Countdown to Christmas…

...co-hosting the gameshow Countdown Being on set and meeting new contestants each week is so much fun. It’s hard to keep a straight face when I end up spelling out a rude word, though! ...modern-day romance Working on eHarmony’s Odds Of Love campaign, I discovered the average adult’s odds of finding love are one in 562, if left entirely to fate. This means you’re more likely to give birth to identical twins or see Simon Cowell become Prime Minister! ...whether she’ll marry Strictly dancer boyfriend Pasha Kovalev We’re both very relaxed about the subject! We don’t want to put too much pressure on each other – we just enjoy spending time together. ...her best-ever date Pasha and I recently travelled across South America – that felt like one prolonged, amazing…

Countdown to Christmas ‘Not only are we good friends, but musically it works, too. It’s win-win’ They met 10 years ago, and became lifelong friends. Together, musical theatre star and Radio 2 DJ Michael Ball, 55, and world-famous tenor Alfie Boe, 44, make quite the double act. And it’s not just about the music – they’re hilarious on stage, and that good humour, together with their talent, is a winning formula. The pair’s first album, Together, went platinum and was the No. 1 Christmas album last year, knocking Little Mix and The Rolling Stones out of the park. They’ve done two ITV specials and recently released a second album, Together Again, featuring classics such as New York, New York and White Christmas. So, is there anything this wise-cracking duo can’t do?…

Win EVERY WEEK Both sets of clues lead to the same answers, revealing in the shaded squares a Channel 4 TV series starring Roisin Conaty (4,4) WIN 1 X £200, 2 X £100 OR 3 X £50 PRIZE S TO ENTER CALL 0900 100 0921 (UK 65ppm)† / 1550 716 022 (ROI 97cpm) † CODE: PUBSTN17833 STRAIGHT CLUES ACROSS 1 Rubs out (6) 5 Comprehensive, in depth (8) 9 Personal rain shield (8) 10 Of clans, etc. (6) 11 Insane (3) 12 Generosity, benevolence (8) 14 Aquatic mammal (4) 15 Normal (5) 17 Makes into a coil (5) 18 Adult cots, fourposters, etc. (4) 19 World ocean (8) 23 Standard, norm (3) 25 Notify, advise (6) 26 Having authority, or sanctioned (8) 27 Scholar’s source of information (8) 28 Sibling…

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