Woman's Own December 24, 2012

It’s so refreshing to meet a celebrity who is happy in their own skin – and that’s exactly what Nadia Sawalha is. After years of struggling with her weight and body image, she’s accepted her curves and looks amazing. Now the face of high street fashion brand Bonmarché, Nadia thinks it’s hilarious that she’s a 48-year-old model with cellulite and a turkey neck (her words, not mine!). And this honesty just makes me like her even more. Our exclusive chat with her is on page 10, and I think you’ll find you like her too...…

Christmas quiz Text Santa host Paddy McGuinness, 39, reveals his favourite way to spend the big day and a major childhood trauma… 1 Are you a fan of the festive season? I love it. People moan about decorations being in the shops too early, but I’m all for it. 2 What’s a typical Christmas Day? Much the same as everyone else’s – we eat, drink and then have an argument at the in-laws’ while watching Jurassic Park. 3 Have you ever thought about spending Christmas abroad? No, I like it best when it’s cold outside and I’m sitting indoors watching reruns of Only Fools And Horses on the telly. 4 Are you good at buying presents? I start buying them as early as November but there’s always someone I forget,…

Monday A working weekend for the Daybreak team as Dr Hilary, Ranvir, Gethin, Aled and I took on the Emmerdale lot on a festive edition of Family Fortunes. Host Vernon Kay was on fruity form, which proved bait enough for us all when it came to adding sauce on the side. Which team got the seasonal stuffing? Tune in over Christmas to find out! Tuesday Catching up with the gorgeous Girls Aloud on their video shoot, I must admit, felt like I was facing down a pack of Afghan dogs. I’ve never seen so much sassy shag going on! They tell me the same woman does ALL their hair – she must have wands for hands. Wednesday John Bishop and Sheridan Smith invited me up to Lancaster where they’re filming a comedy…

Be bold in blue Amanda Holden looks much younger than her 41 years in this flattering midnight blue structured dress, and a fishtail hemline also makes a bottom look smaller. Update your midi Rachel Weisz, 42, shows how the once-safe midi is transformed with a sexy side split. Wear with open sandals to lengthen legs. Go casual chic Pair a sparkly blazer with smart trousers like Twiggy, 63, for a youth-boosting look that also keeps upper arms under wraps. Look great in lace Our very own columnist, Lorraine Kelly, 53, proves a lace cocktail dress is ageless. And the plunging neckline adds extra va-va-voom! Cover up with class Elongate arms and keep out the cold like Tess Daly, 43, in glittery sleeves. Warmth and glamour – the ideal Christmas party…

AMY ‘The fishtail on Amanda’s dress is so elegant. I’m not too keen on Twiggy’s look, though – even with sequins, the T-shirt makes the outfit a little casual for me.’ BONNIE ‘Lorraine looks great – the lace is so flattering and I like the dress length. I think the midi dress really suits Rachel, but I think I’d have to try it on to be convinced the length would work with my body shape.’ MICHELLE ‘I love the sleeves on Tess’s dress. I hate my upper arms, so anything that covers them up is a winner! And Lisa Snowdon’s simple red dress is a classic that shows off her figure.’…

Dancing into the sunset So here we are at last, heading into the final of Strictly. What a series it has been. I’ve been more interested than usual this year because my pal Richard Arnold was in the line-up. Unlike the other contestants, Richard had to get up at the crack of sparrows every morning to do his day job as Daybreak’s entertainment editor. We all became used to seeing him practising his dance moves in the make-up room and shimmying round the Daybreak sofa. I am so proud of him. An inspiration But the revelation in this series was the lovely Lisa Riley. Watching her dance has been a joy. Everyone believed she would be a figure of fun like Ann Widdecombe, but Lisa has shown that she’s a grafter who…