Innholdsfortegnelse for 25-Dec-2017 i Woman's Own

‘I’d love to go away for the big day’Eamonn on Christmas ‘I like the chaos of Christmas at home’Ruth on Christmas They’re one of our favourite TV couples and they’re technically in our homes so often that we thought we should turn the tables and take a look around Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes’ Surrey mansion. Fans are used to seeing Eamonn and Ruth putting on a united front while presenting some of our biggest shows, but Woman’s Own can reveal that, as well as the usual magic, the festivities can end in fall-outs and tears! Unsurprisingly, the home is stunning – especially at Christmas. But a lot of work goes into transforming Ruth and Eamonn’s home, mostly on her behalf… Decorating fun ‘I’ve got various themes,’ Ruth, 57,…

‘We’re the best of friends!’On her relationship with Danny Describe your typical Christmas. I’m always at home. Everyone comes to us… it’s all about the children for me now – I’ve got two boys and my eldest is six. The lead-up, the writing of the letter to Santa… I love all of that. I’m a big kid myself. Everyone in the house has an advent calendar. So when do you start getting festive? After my eldest’s birthday – the 5th of December – is out of the way. I focus on his birthday and then I put the decorations up. Has Christmas changed for you since you had children? It just makes it really exciting again! Before [I had them], I still really loved it but it didn’t have the…

The magical maxi This gold-flecked frock of Claudia’s has us green with envy, what could be more appropriate for the party season?! The black and white mini Claudia channels serious 60s vibes in this lace creation, the cute collar keeps things pretty up top, while the show of leg adds a sexy edge. The leopard look We love Claudia’s take on animal print here – the simple cut means it doesn’t look OTT and the block-colour stilettos complement her lipstick. The berry body-con When you’ve got arms like Tess you’ve got to show them off in a strapless number, and this raspberry-coloured one is a classic. The little black jumpsuit A clingy strapless jumpsuit like Tess’s can be tricky to pull off but she does it brilliantly and check out…

If you’ve got olive tones Accentuate the warmer tones in your skin with orangey reds and brick or rust reds. Your perfect shade: Seventeen Mirror Shine Lipstick in Love Note, £4.99 If you’re fair Go for lipstick shades with blue undertones to complement your beautiful translucent skin tone. Your perfect shade: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Reds Collection Lipstick in Matte Rougenie, £9 If you’re medium Your suits-all skin means you can take your pick from rich pillar-box reds to blood red and plum. Your perfect shade: PS… Lipstick in Scarlett, 90p, Primark. If you’ve got a deeper skin Warm cherry reds will even out cooler toned, dark skin. If you have warm skin like Alesha, try shades with blue undertones, like merlot. Your perfect shade: Clarins…

Hangovers are worse after 40 because the liver and stomach shrink slightly as you get older. Also, your blood becomes more concentrated, so the alcohol you drink is less diluted. Here’s how to help: 1 Drink lots of non-alcoholic fluids. Alternating an alcoholic drink with a soft drink can help keep you hydrated and slow you down. 2 ‘Eating high-fat foods before drinking lines the stomach and slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream,’ says nutritional therapist Alison Cullen. ‘Choose a healthy meal, such as salmon with avocado and salad with olive oil.’ 3 Take vitamin C and vitamin B complex both before you drink and the next day, as both these vital nutrients are depleted by alcohol. We love Holland & Barrett Vitamin B-Complex + Vitamin C, £17.99…

Spiced king prawns Serves 12 Meaty king prawns pair perfectly with punchy Indian spices. You will need 350g frozen raw jumbo peeled king prawns 80g pouch rogan josh curry paste 1tbsp sunflower oil 4tbsp mango chutney Chopped coriander How to do it 1 Defrost the king prawns thoroughly and coat well in the rogan josh curry paste. Leave in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hrs. 2 Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan and fry the marinated prawns for 2-3 mins on each side, until crisp. Serve with mango chutney for dipping and scatter with some chopped coriander. Calories 58 Fat 2.5g Sat fat 0.5g Sausage roll wreath Serves 12 If you’re looking for a show stopper, this is it! A real classic. You will…

Mum-of-two Anita Naik has been an agony aunt for 25 years Contact Anita Send your questions to askanita@ timeinc.com  Follow her on Twitter @AnitaNaik Or go to anitanaik.com Christmas without my children Q My husband and I divorced this year and our kids will be with him on Christmas Day. To say the kids and I are devastated is an understatement. Whenever we talk about it we cry. My eight year old even says she won’t open any gifts or speak to anyone if I’m not there with her. I think they should be with me because they’re so upset but my husband says we need to stick  to the agreement. I feel he’s putting his feelings first. What can I do?…

Our expert Tara Evans saves you serious cash Tweet @Taraevans or email womansown@timeinc.com How to get a cheaper mortgage You could save thousands of pounds by switching mortgage deals Avoid penalties It can take time to switch on to a new mortgage rate, so start looking roughly three months before your current rate expires. Planning ahead will save you being automatically transferred onto a more expensive variable-rate mortgage. But don’t switch too soon, as you may have to pay an ‘early repayment charge’, which can cost up to 5% of your existing loan. Low rate doesn’t always equal cheap deal Lenders will often use low ‘headline rates’ to draw in customers by making deals seem attractive. However, they typically…

Silent Night Whatever happened to carol singers? You used to get them coming round and singing on your doorstep – it was lovely. So come on everybody, let’s get singing this Christmas. Joy Bradford Don’t go, Shayne I’m so sad to hear that Shayne Ward is leaving Coronation Street in 2018. He’s made the transition from singer to actor a success and is one of the best characters on the cobbles. I’m sure he’ll go on to greater things. Sam Lockyer Your photo of the week… Win £50 if we feature your picture – email, tweet or Facebook us at the addresses above Modern Meghan Prince Harry and Meghan Markle make a great couple. Seeing engaged Meghan in her sassy shoes and wrap-around coat really told the world that she’d…

Being a mum to three boys is chaotic at the best of times, but when it comes to Christmas I go into overdrive. After being woken up early, the house becomes a mess of wrapping paper as my sons Dylan, 10, Josh, eight, and Jack, five, tear open presents. Between tidying up and finding batteries for toys, somehow I need to get the dinner sorted, too. So when I heard supermarket chain Iceland was offering shoppers an entire turkey dinner for the family to cook in just 60 minutes and for only £16.85, I couldn’t believe it! But I certainly had my reservations, too – would the meat cook properly, would the potatoes be crispy, would the gravy be thick and rich? I didn’t think it would work but I…

‘I rolled into the New Year as a size 26’ As I watched my daughter’s bottom lip start to wobble, and her hands clench into angry fists, I could feel my heart sink. It was December 2015 and my youngest, Gracie, then two, was refusing to sit on Santa’s knee for a photo. Her older sister Elisha’s smile started to waver as her sibling played up. Camera shy The only way to rescue the situation was to jump in and give Gracie a cuddle while the photo was taken. But, as a size 26, I hated being in front of the camera. Taking a deep breath, I scooped Gracie into my arms. ‘Say jingle bells!’ the photographer said. As I plastered on a grin, I made a silent wish, ‘Please…

EASTENDERS BBC1 It wouldn’t be Christmas in Albert Square without explosive revelations and family feuds! And, thanks to Max Branning’s rapidly unravelling personal vendetta, things are going to let rip in Walford. He has only one thing on his mind to save himself – murder! But, as Albert Square’s residents gather to celebrate, a shocking piece of evidence looks set to destroy the Branning family forever… Meanwhile, The Vic hasn’t been full of festive cheer, either. Still reeling from losing their pub as part of Max and Willmott-Brown’s twisted plan, Mick and Linda do their best to make their last Christmas there the best yet… CORONATION STREET ITV Carla Connor returns to the cobbles, and she’s got a secret! Will her reappearance put her ex Peter and one-time lover Robert…

Ant McPartlin’s marriage to Lisa Armstrong has been under strain since he went to rehab in June for an addiction to prescription drugs and alcohol. And despite Woman’s Own previously telling of Ant’s plan to win his wife back, it seems as though it is going to be anything but easy. A source close to the couple has revealed that Lisa, 41, is weighing up her options when it comes to her future with Ant, 42. ‘Lisa hasn’t given up on her marriage, but at the same time she doesn’t feel the same way about him as she did before,’ our insider says. ‘She’s fed up of their lifestyle, and she has stuck by Ant through thick and thin. Now she just wants his support in return.’ With their relationship…

‘I’m on fire and we’re still filming!’ Dawn French talks cooking disasters and Christmas So Delicious is back! There are lots of surprises in store… What’s Emilia Fox like? I love working with Millie. She comes to the set with a huge box file of notes about her character, which I don’t. It’s great to see you getting your chops into something dramatic. I do enjoy it. The pressure to be funny is off and I find that very liberating. I couldn’t cook and act together! We plan it carefully. I had to flambé some prawns and they added alcohol to make a huge flame. I thought, ‘OK, I’m on fire and we’re still filming!’ How’s Christmas at your house? I am married to a man who is virtually Father…

‘I never planned to be the other woman’ ‘He’d tell his wife they were tightening their budget’ As I wander around the department store, my eyes widen as I spot a diamond-encrusted ring. ‘It’s beautiful!’ I gasp, getting a closer look. As I start to imagine it on my finger, I pull out my phone and take a picture at every angle. Later that evening, I snuggle next to my partner, Jonathon*. And, flicking through the pictures, I smile sweetly. ‘I know what I’d like Santa to bring me,’ I wink. You might think I sound spoilt, but the truth is I deserve to be showered with gifts. Because, on Christmas Day, I won’t toast champagne with Jonathon or sit opposite him as we tuck into turkey with all our…

5 mins On your masks, get set, go! No time (or funds!) for a salon facial? No problem – these DIY face masks only take five minutes. IF YOU’RE DRY: Give thirsty skin a drink with Sanctuary Spa 5 Minute Moisture Boost Mask, £10 , which leaves skin smoother and softer in a matter of minutes. IF YOU’RE DULL: Brighten up with Janjira Instant Brightening Bubble Mask, £24, which oxygenates and energises with vitamins C and B3. IF YOU’RE SPOTTY: Cleanse and purify with Beauty Kitchen Seahorse Plankton 5 Minute Miracle Mask, £14.99 . It’ll leave you refreshed and glowing. 4 mins Speed up your blow-dry Make blow-drying faster by drying freshly washed hair first with a microfibre towel, £12, dockandbay.com/uk. Far more absorbent than a normal towel, it will…

The best... alternative mains The best... show-stopping desserts The best... luxury cheeses…

‘I’d sit by Sophie’s cot all night, terrified of leaving her for even a moment’ My daughter Sophie was finally asleep. As I watched her little chest rise and fall, I forced back tears. It was Christmas Day and Sophie, just two years old, should have been playing with all her new toys at home, not lying in the emergency department of our local hospital, having been through hours of tests and scans. That morning, she’d seemed fine as she’d opened her presents. But by lunch, she was burning up and my husband Ian and I left our other children, Joshua, nine, and Nathan, five, with my mum and we’d brought Sophie here to the Freeman hospital in Newcastle. ‘I’m afraid it’s bad news,’ the doctor said, coming over. He…

‘We’re happy, strong and unashamed’ When I was told I had breast cancer, I couldn’t even say the words aloud. My husband Mark and I were so shocked. It was advanced stage 3, and I was told I’d need to have my left breast removed. It was September 2012 and, aged 46, I just needed to do whatever it took to make sure I’d be OK. Those next months were hard, but with the help and support of the charity CancerCare and, of course, Mark and my kids, Jenna, then 24, John, 19, and Elena, nine, I made it through the chemo, full node clearance, mastectomy, radiotherapy, and finally the reconstruction. Desperate to give something back, I started volunteering for the charity. Talking to patients, I decided to set up…

Aries 21 Mar – 20 Apr You’ll be doing Christmas differently, and the more you ring the changes, the more fun you’ll have. If you think the family won’t go along with it, think again. Around the 20th, some real magic can happen. Taurus 21 Apr – 20 May Your ruler meets taskmaster Saturn on Christmas Day –not necessarily the jolliest influence. However, he helps you work hard and get all your jobs done smoothly. But if anyone criticises, woe betide them! Gemini 21 May – 20 Jun Need to get your other half on-side with Christmas? Or persuade someone to do things differently? Around the 15th, loving influences make others putty in your hands. Be clear about what you want. Cancer 21 Jun – 22 Jul Christmas can be…

George Rainsford has played Casualty’s Dr Ethan Hardy since 2014, and the poor medic has been thrown into all sorts of turmoil ever since – not least losing his half-brother, Cal, suddenly this year. Now he’s caught up in Connie’s cancer story. Here, George, 35, reveals what’s in store for Ethan around Christmas and beyond… Has it been hectic filming up to the Christmas episode? Filming is always hectic! But at the moment the difference is that we don’t see any daylight – we leave for work in the dark, get in the studio with all our fake lights and then get home in the dark. So, has Dr Ethan got any big storylines on the horizon? The Connie/Ethan plot continues to be tense with lots of twists and turns.…

Andrea McLean and Nick Feeney finally said ‘I do’ in an intimate ceremony, four years on from the day they met. The couple tied the knot in front of their loved ones, including Loose Women ladies Saira Khan, Nadia Sawalha, Kaye Adams, Linda Robson, Stacey Solomon and Jane Moore – but Katie Price was notably absent. In fact, Woman’s Own understands Andrea left Katie, 39, off of the guest list because of concerns over the former glamour model’s behaviour. A source says, ‘Andrea made the decision not to invite Katie. They’re not close anyway and Andrea has seen first-hand how Katie changes after a few glasses of champagne – she wanted the day to be all about her and Nick.’…

Scent-sational A fresh and floral mix of lily, white peach, vanilla, orange and vetiver. Dolce & Gabbana The One eau de toilette, from £43 for 30ml I Christmas This beautiful addition to your tree is almost the same price as a daily Starbucks. Heart decoration, £3, Wilko Two in one A luxe scented candle that doubles as a decoration. Diptyque Carousel Figuier Candle, £40 Cover story Not sure what to wear over your party dress? Now you’re sorted. Sheer kimono top, £40, Evans World class A must-have living room accessory if ever we saw one! Globe light, £69.95, cuckooland.com Glow on A sumptuous gold powder to highlight cheekbones a treat. Gold Obsession Illuminator, £32, BareMinerals Golden girls Velvet is 2017’s on-trend fabric and this gorgeous dress definitely won’t…

The jacket The right outerwear will pull your look together. Go for a sequin jacket or tailored blazer for instant glamour. The trousers From fancy wide leg to slim-fit cigarette styles in luxe fabrics, these trousers are perfect to dress up in. The all-in--one Flattering for most body shapes and easy to wear, a jumpsuit is our go-to for a night out. Stay on trend this season with a cropped leg style – great for showing off those new shoes! The skirt Team a midi skirt with a fine knit or oversize slouched jumper for a modern twist. The dress So easy, so glamorous and they all have sleeves so you don’t have to worry about showing your upper arms. The sparkly top For nights out or for Christmas Day,…

Tammy comics Based on the weekly cartoon strip, the Tammy Christmas annuals were a rare treat – a whole volume of dark tales to read! Tiny Tears After being filled up with water from her baby bottle, Tiny Tears shed real-life tears from her eyes, and even peed! Etch A Sketch A toy of simpler times, Etch A Sketch had children of the pre-smartphone era mesmerised by its ability to draw black lines with the twiddle of a knob. But it was a painstaking process... Raleigh Chopper It’s the bike every boy (and many a girl) of the 70s can remember unwrapping under the Christmas tree. You were the king of the road if you had one of these. Dream Phone A sleepover staple. The aim of the game was…

Twinings Christmas Tea, £7.50 This classic festive blend has warming flavours of spiced black tea paired with orange peel – just what you need on a frosty morning. The beautiful tin is ideal for storing your Christmas biscuits in, too! Forthglade Christmas Dinner for Dogs, £1.29 per tray Treat your four-legged family member to this 100% natural doggy dinner. Free from junk and fillers, it includes a minimum content of 75% turkey, teamed with vitamin-rich cranberries and parsnips (though, thankfully, no sprouts), and is slow cooked to lock in all the goodness. Crabbie’s Mulled Ginger Wine Gift Set, £21, Amazon.co.uk This fortified wine is flavoured with ginger, citrus, and warming spices. Heat and serve in the beautiful copper mugs for a truly special brew. Mr Stanley’s Festive…

3 ways to tackle a cough 1 Stay active ‘Mild to moderate activity is no bad thing when you have a cough or cold,’ says The One Show’s Dr Sarah Jarvis. ‘Gentle exercise can be good for recovery, so avoiding it if your body is used to it will not help. Just reduce the intensity or length of your workout.’ 2 Eat right ‘When you’re ill, your body needs more calories than normal to function, as it has to work harder to fight off the germs,’ explains Dr Jarvis. ‘Fuel your body with food and drink that will give you the extra energy you need, such as a banana or green leafy veg, and keep 3 Go out ‘Brave the great outdoors,’ says Dr Jarvis.…

‘My girls will get to see me for many more years’ Jo Spencer, 48, lives with her three daughters. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2016. She says, ‘I got involved in Knocker Jotter to give hope to those newly diagnosed with this disease. To show them you can get through it, and you will smile again.’ ‘Their support has been incredible’ Maggie Birch, 56, a care assistant, was diagnosed with grade 3 breast cancer in May 2015. She says, ‘My concern was for my husband and children. Being honest with them meant they could support me.’…

Buy it Cook it Carrotsoup Mini carrots, 320g, Tesco Heat a large saucepan and dry-fry 2tsp cumin seeds and a pinch chilli flakes for 1 min. Spoon out about half of the seeds and set aside. Add 2tbsp oil, 600g coarsely grated carrots, 140g split lentils, 1ltr veg stock and 125ml milk to the pan; bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 mins until lentils have softened. Whizz in a blender until smooth. Season and finish with a dollop of yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices. Was £1 Now 3 for £2 Bargain booze Treat yourself to a delicious glass of this cherry-scented mulled-style wine, a blend of Tempranillo and Shiraz with cherry juice and spices. Serve warmed as a festive tipple. Cherry…

The biggest astro event of 2018 happens mid-May when slow-moving Uranus goes from Aries into Taurus. This is the planet of revolutionary change and out-of-the-blue surprises. Aries people have learnt since 2010 what that feels like: events that are the last thing you expected and developments that flip your life from one thing to its opposite. So you get single to married. Broke to well-off. Retired to working again. And so on. And it’s not just the first two zodiac signs who are affected. We all are. When Uranus changes signs, the world sails into new, unchartered waters, and this could be a good thing. Although Uranus has one more stint right at the end of Aries (from early November until March 2019), everyone gets less angry and becomes more…

Call the Midwife BBC1 The Nonnatus midwives face the coldest winter for 300 years. The country is at a standstill, yet despite the snow, ice, power cuts and frozen pipes, the team carry on with their work. Valerie (Jennifer Kirby) helps a couple who’ve just arrived in London through a very traumatic birth and Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) tries to reunite a family torn apart by a cruel father. Look out for former EastEnders star Anita Dobson making a special guest appearance as Mabel. Mary, Mel and Sue’s Big Christmas Thank You BBC1 Mary Berry reunites with her former Bake Off co-presenters in this show that follows a group of volunteers in South Wales, where residents have pulled together to open a community centre. Mary , Mel and Sue are…

7am I used to have the luxury of sitting in bed with my youngest, Coco, eating toast and watching Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom. Now I get up and take her to school on weekdays [Jo has four kids, India, 25, Jude, 18, Cassius, 16, and Coco, nine]. 8am I have coffee and a croissant, and sit and read the papers. I do have to watch what I eat… I don’t want big flapping bingo wings on the screen and it makes me work a little bit harder! But I’m lucky I have four kids and I can be there for them – that’s all I really care about. 11am I’ll head to the gym to work off the coffee and croissant I’ve just had! Quite often, I go for…