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Fun-loving Dawn French is someone who truly gets into the Christmas spirit. This year, however, the levels of excitement must be off the scale… as the actress and comedian has taken on two new roles - one as a fairy, and one as a judge on Simon Cowell’s new big-money ITV talent show, Walk The Line. In Simon’s latest show (which he’s chosen not to judge, replacing himself with singer Craig David), the top two performers of the evening will need nerves of steel as they face a decision to either ‘cash out’ and take a prize, or ‘walk the line’ – risking it all to stay in the competition and go for the top prize. Kicking off this weekend for seven consecutive nights, Dawn joked, ‘I’m not an expert…

There was no denying they were utterly adorable… With their little twitching noses, fluffy tails, silky coats and – often – long, floppy ears it wasn’t hard to see why people loved rabbits so much. My daughter Rosie, now 12, was no different. ‘Please can we get one?’ she’d often asked. ‘Pleeeease…’ We’d had cats, dogs and ponies over the years and Rosie was really good at nurturing animals, as was my eldest, Jasmin, now 19. Perhaps they got that from me… after all, I’d worked as a veterinary nurse and loved anything that moved. Initially, I thought Rosie’s request for a bunny might be a fleeting one, but she kept asking and asking. ‘They need a lot of care and attention,’ I said. ‘Having a bunny might be more…

This year, when I start wrapping all the Christmas presents, I won’t be surrounded by multicoloured paper or red ribbons and gold bows. Because the colour our family is most interested in this year is green. We’ve been doing our best to cut our carbon footprint and make more environmentally friendly choices in our day-to-day lives. So we’re replacing our usual glittery wrapping paper with recyclable brown paper – and that’s just the start of how we’re having a green Christmas. It all began when my husband Dave, now 45, and I sat down to watch the Netflix documentary The Game Changers in Autumn last year. It focused on an athlete who wants to eat the best foods to give himself the best chance of performing in his sport, and…

Snowman Bark Kids will love this edible bark, and it’s so easy to make! Serves 12-16 Hands-on time: 15 mins, plus setting Cook time: 5 mins 1 Line a 20.5cm brownie tin with baking parchment. 2 Melt 400g of chopped white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. While the chocolate is melting, prepare the decorations. 3 Use white chocolate buttons for the snowman’s body, pretzel sticks for arms, halved Mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for the hat, and sprinkles for the face. 4 Once melted and smooth, pour the chocolate into the prepared tin – allow to stand for a few minutes until beginning to set, this will make it easier to decorate. Work swiftly, making the snowmen as pictured. 5 Dust with…

Start the festive season in style with a chance to win £400 to spend at M&Co. Whether you are struggling to find a party outfit or gifts for the family, M&Co have you covered. With a range of metallic blouses, sequin tops, glitter jumpsuits and cosy coats, no matter the occasion, you will be dressed to the nines. Staying home season is over; let’s celebrate in style this year by getting glam. Style the black wide-leg sequin trousers with a berry-embellished top and finish the look with classic black heels, faux fur coat and a cross-body bag. From desk to drinks, afternoon brunch to date night and spending Christmas with loved ones, look no further for your festive ensemble. Explore the collection at mandco.com See right to enter and be…

Lying on the toilet floor of a bar surrounded by her own vomit, Cara Sayer was vaguely aware of someone dabbing her face with a wet flannel. But Cara is not a teenager, floored on one of her first nights out. She’s a 49-year-old businesswoman who, in her own words, can handle her drink. So how did she find herself so incapacitated? ‘The scary thing is, I don’t know,’ says Cara. ‘But with friends, I’ve pieced together most of the night. And I’m pretty certain my drink was spiked. ‘People assume it just happens to teenagers and young women. But I want to raise awareness it can happen to anyone of any age.’ Cara’s night started sedately. She had dinner with a friend, then they went to an invite-only event…

Fairy lights twinkled, baubles hung from the tree and surrounded by my family, there was festive magic in the air. But Christmas 2019 was unlike any other. When my nephew ran over to hug me, the cry rang out to ‘Be gentle!’ Even eating a mince pie was painful. And while 25 December was still a week away, one gift was already given. The most important present of my life. I’d given my incredible brother, Pete, one of my kidneys. Pete and I have always been close. We lost our mum, Jennifer, to breast cancer when she was just 35. I was almost two, and Pete was almost four. Our dad, Michael, was an amazing single parent, but with both of us to care for, Pete really stepped up. Whether…

SAGITTARIUS 23 November – 21 December National treasure Judi Dench, star of the stage and screen, Kenneth Branagh, and award-winning Julianne Moore, among other Sagittarians will be spending more time behind the scenes. This will be a great chance for them to acquire some valuable skills and gain new experiences. PISCES 20 February – 20 March You will make the most of any excuse to dress up and feel festive. You’re mixing with some positive and optimistic people and this will attract luck in your direction. Turning a friendship into a romance might be a strong temptation but think twice about it. You may well be great friends, but will a more intimate relationship be a good idea? GEMINI 22 May – 21 June Be sure to keep any promises…

THE FOREST ARMS, BRECHFA Low ceilings, wooden beams, oodles of atmosphere and its proximity to the Brechfa Forest makes this lovely real pub a great choice for a Winter walking break with friends. There are three linked B&B rooms, sleeping up to seven people (accommodation from £45p per person per night, minimum charge of £180, including a hearty Welsh breakfast), plus a relaxation area with TV, sofa and chairs. The cosy pub itself serves hearty meals, including its famous steak and ale pies, and offers a delicious range of local beers and ciders. More info: forestarms.com PONTYCLERC FARM HOUSE B&B, AMMANFORD This charming, family-run B&B with just four comfortable rooms is within walking distance of Ammanford, yet surrounded by countryside, including the nearby Carmen National Nature Reserve, for warming Winter…

She’s ‘Christmas-mad’, in her own words – so, no wonder Loose Women star and YouTuber Nadia Sawalha, 57, sounds so excited when we catch up with her! The chatty TV star – who has been married to hubby Mark Adderley for almost 20 years (they have daughters Kiki, 14, and Maddie, who celebrates her 19th birthday on Christmas Day!) – tells us why we she’s so passionate about the campaign she’s backing, Secret Santa by Action for Children, which raises money for young people who haven’t had the best start in life – and why she favours ‘Christmas tat’ for the festive season… As a mega Christmas fan, are you super excited now it’s December? Oh, I’m Christmas crazy! All my decs went up on 1 December! My daughter Maddie, who’s…

THE WAY I SEE IT… Wise words from our feisty, fearless and funny columnist ‘I don’t think I’m imagining it but, it seems as though Christmas has actually come early this year – and I’m not even unhappy about it. I know for some, it starts in September or even earlier, but for most of us it has to get to at least December before we don’t get irritated by Noddy Holder screaming “It’s CHRIIIIIIISTMAAAAAAAAS!” But it’s different this year – and there are loads of signs. For example, in our village in France, the lights and decorations all go up in mid-November, teasing you, until the first Saturday in December – but there we were last week, still November, and it couldn’t have been more Christmassy! The market sheds…

Want to add a magical touch to your manicure this Christmas? The good news is you don’t need an art degree – or even too much of a steady hand – to recreate these looks. Max Factor ambassador Iram Shelton guides us through a simple step-by-step. 1 NEGATIVE SPACE MOONS Like a reverse mani, your ‘half-moon’ is left bare. THE POLISH: Max Factor Masterpiece Xpress in Mellow Merlot and Champagne Kisses, £5.99 1) Take a liner brush and Mellow Merlot and paint a semi-circle near your cuticle, showing a half-moon. If you can see your natural moons, use them as a guide. 2) Use the bottle brush to paint on Mellow Merlot. Cap the tip of the nail with polish to avoid it chipping prematurely. 3) Dip your liner brush…

MISSING TILLY I do miss Tilly’s cuteness and youthful energy. She was one of our youngest contestants and went out with such grace and style. I did laugh at Nikita ripping his shirt off during their samba, then it got stuck on a mic! Was he hoping to get a last-ditch extra vote or two? It doesn’t work, Nikita. ‘Only a desperate man drops his pants in showbiz’, to quote Dream Girls! MARVELLOUS MEL I adore the Christmas special and especially this year, as Mel Giedroyc is taking part. I love her, she’s up for anything. She’s hosted the Strictly tour, so I know her well. Mel may not be amazing, but she’ll bring fun and frivolity – and that’s what it’s all about. For one week, I’m even a…

Linda Robson’s sun-kissed glow, coupled with her trademark Cockney cackle (Barbara Windsor would be proud!), makes her unmistakable on ITV’s Palooza Red Carpet. Before mixing with the likes of Holly and Phil inside London’s Royal Festival Hall, she made time to tell best about her festive plans and a very special project with best pal Lesley Joseph, 76… Linda, you’re looking very tanned… I’ve just been to the Maldives. We booked it two years ago but only just managed to do the trip. Are you big on Christmas? Will you cook on the day? Yes I am. I always cook on Christmas Day. It’s over so bloomin’ quick, though. We’re going away for New Year, with the whole family. Only to Southampton, to this little hotel we’ve found, it’ll be…

WHAT’S UP WITH MY SON?! My 19-year-old son seems to be getting less social as he gets older. At 17, he couldn’t wait to be out with his mates at the weekend – but now he tells me he can’t think of ‘anything worse’. He’s a popular lad, I can’t tell you how many Christmas events he’s been invited to in December already, but he’s turning them all down – even though I know for a fact he doesn’t have any plans! He seems nervous and anxious. I’m worried there’s something wrong, but he’s a totally closed book. He won’t even talk to his dad. Could he be in some kind of trouble?! Helen, Sunderland I can’t begin to guess at what is troubling your boy, but I would trust…

Do you have a story you’d like to share with our amazing army of best readers? We’re looking for real-life stories from women just like you and your friends – and will pay up to £250 for all those that make it into these pages. Stories can be funny, sad, emotional, inspirational – just like some of the examples on this page. The only rule: they must be true. Have you been on a diet that changed your life? Have you battled against tough times and come out fighting? Have you found love or happiness against the odds? If you – or a friend – have a story to share, whatever the subject, do drop us a line, with your contact details, a photo and a brief outline of your…

A box of chocolates didn’t feel like an adequate gift for my wonderful grandparents but, at 17 years old, I didn’t have the budget for anything extravagant. It was 1987 and as Christmas neared, I just could not think what to get Peggy and Henry, our Granny and Papa. Then, inspiration struck. I’d read an article in a Swap Shop annual about starting your own newspaper and thought it sounded fun so, along with my brother Don, then 15, and sister Debi, then 13, we decided to make them a family newspaper. We filled the first 20-page edition with family news, crosswords and drawings and designed a front cover emblazoned with the title: The Christmas Times. They loved it, so we were surprised when they returned it to us the…

Tilly shivered as she looked up from the newspaper. The low-beamed sitting room was cold. Although it was barely four o’clock the sky was already the colour of ink and, in the inglenook, the window of the stove was uncompromisingly black. There was a depressing article about how divorce lawyers were looking forward to a bumper January, as relationships in injury time finally collapsed under the pressures of Christmas. The story felt horribly relevant. Not that she and Greg were even married, of course. And now – it seemed – they never would be. She had quickly turned to another page but there were only ‘New Year, New You’ diets which were the last thing she wanted to see, pinching her spare tyre spitefully hard in self-disgust. It was nearly…

A CHRISTMAS MOVIE CHRISTMAS Channel 5, Tuesday, 11.15am A Christmas movie fanatic and her cynical sister wake up to find they are now the stars of their very own Christmas movie… CHRISTMAS CUISINE OF LOVE Channel 5, Thursday, 1.30pm Josie Jennings, a celebrated, romantic 35-year-old chef in the city, heads home to spend the holidays at the quaint, magical bed and breakfast where she grew up – and where her mother, Shannon, has just opened a new restaurant. A VERY ROYAL CHRISTMAS ENGAGEMENT Channel 5, Wednesday, 1.30pm Advertising exec Lauren falls for Paul, a consultant she’s been paired with to land a big account for the upcoming holiday season. Unbeknown to Lauren, and everyone else, Paul is actually Prince Edward Charles, European royalty disguised as a commoner.…

It’s been an unpredictable year on I’m A Celebrity – not least when it comes to guessing who’s going to be crowned King or Queen of the Castle this Sunday. With episodes cancelled as Storm Arwen battered the camp, and a surprise exit from one if its biggest stars, Richard Madeley, 65, for health reasons in just the first week, this series has been dogged with issues. But one element of the show that’s been certain from the get-go is viewers’ love for handsome Frenchman David Ginola! The former pro footballer, 54 – who, let’s face it, is incredibly easy on the eye – has also won over viewers with his witty one-liners. Tasked in one episode with finding apples among crates of rotten tomatoes and onions with fellow campmate…

Is it even Christmas Day if you haven’t collapsed on to the sofa, sherry in hand to watch a fresh batch of famous faces shimmy their way across that hallowed dancefloor? Yes, the Strictly Christmas Special is back – this time with six new celebs – including funnywoman Mel Giedroyc, First Dates’ Fred Sirieix, and The Repair Shop’s Jay Blades. Here’s what our judges have to say… The Queen of Latin, 61, has been head judge on Strictly since 2017… How early do you get into the festive spirit? I like to be really early – my trees are up already! Around October is when I start getting organised with my gifts. What are the Christmas traditions in your household? We like to watch The Sound of Music every year,…

Model and TV presenter Melinda Messenger has barely changed since her glamour-modelling heyday over 20 years ago. But since turning 50 earlier this year and going though a relationship break-up, she felt she’d lost the tone around her jawline. When she popped in for some advice, Melinda wanted to find out about all the different non-invasive options available. ‘I saw a still of myself, from a TV show I was working on, which caught me at an angle I don’t usually see in the mirror. I remember thinking, “Well, that’s new. My jaw never did that before”. ‘Being on television, you’re constantly spotted mid-conversation, so when that starts to go south it’s amplified. I was interested to learn about ways of improving my jawline without doing anything drastic. ‘Anyway,’ she…

A christening is always a happy occasion – but as the Royals gathered to celebrate the joint welcome for August Brooksbank and Lucas Tindall, at All Saints Chapel in Windsor Great Park, tears would have been close for some. While new mum Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, were doubtless proud as punch of their new arrival, who is now nine months old, their day was overshadowed by heartbreak – as just three days before the ceremony, Jack’s father George had passed away. George, who was 72, had been sick for some time after falling ill with Coronavirus in the Summer of 2020. Eugenie and Jack were then warned to ‘prepare for the worst’ when he was put on a ventilator for five weeks. But he recovered and left…

DIABETIC AT CHRISTMAS Without the ability to inject insulin, how can a Type 2 diabetic enjoy Christmas food (and booze!) without making themselves very ill? Is it a big fat ‘you can’t’?! I was very good last year and stuck to my diet but this year I’m reunited with family and want to let my hair down a bit. I was also diagnosed as coeliac a few months ago which makes all this even more difficult. Help! Kerry, Notts DR HILARY SAYS: The good news is that yes, of course you can still enjoy Christmas by relaxing the usual dietary rules a little bit! But do you need to remember that every spike in blood sugar over the course of time increases your HbA1c reading, which is a measurement of…

‘I’ve had tough times, but I’m surrounded by love’ Christine McGuiness was just 19 and a former Miss Liverpool when she met comedian Paddy. They now share three children, seven-year-old twins Penelope and Leo and four-year-old Felicity, who have all been diagnosed with autism. Christine, who has recently been diagnosed with autism herself, has just published her autobiography, which details her sometimes difficult childhood. Why did you give your life story the title A Beautiful Nightmare? Well, there have been so many things that have gone tragically wrong and challenging moments; but on the flip side, I am so fortunate – I have my husband, I have three wonderful children, I am surrounded by love. The book has been very well received… I’ve been quite emotional at the response. I…

Beautiful, successful and happy with husband Vernon Kay and her daughters, Phoebe, 17, and Amber, 12, you might think Tess Daly had it all. The presenter, however – upbeat as she seems co-hosting Strictly as we head towards the Christmas final – has spoken about the one thing that breaks her heart which, at this emotional, nostalgic time of year, must be felt very strongly. The Strictly star lost her dad, Vivian Daly, in 2003, aged 71 – and she has spoken of the huge impact his loss has had on her. At that point, she hadn’t even had her daughters. Last year, Tess confessed that losing her dad so early was ‘her biggest regret’ – and that him not having the chance to meet her kids left a hole…