Christmas

Lauren Goodger's extravagant Christmas

TV Gossip

22 Dec 2011

Lauren Goodger wants a "nice Bentley, a big house and a new dog" for Christmas. The 'Only Way Is Essex' star has got a luxury vehicle and a new home on her festive wish list, as well as another pet pooch, as her former fiance Mark Wright - who she…

Christmas Comedy DVDs

11 Dec 2008

With one recent internet poll naming Peter Kay as the funniest British comedian who has ever lived while Michael McIntyre steamrolls up the DVD charts, it seems that comedy is not unlike the other genres when it comes to ‘popular’ ‘opinion’. There was a…

Off to see the wizard

13 Nov 2008

‘They’re big shoes to step into, aren’t they?’ says Helen McAlpine, about the specially-customised ruby slippers she’ll be wearing onstage in the Citizens’ Theatre’s Wizard of Oz. She’s not talking about her shoe size, either – as Dorothy Gale, McAlpine…

Phillip Schofield's 'military' Christmas

TV Gossip

21 Dec 2011

Phillip Schofield's Christmas is a "military affair". The 'This Morning' presenter - who has two daughters, Ruby and Molly, with wife Stephanie Lowe - explained the festive period in his household is "very traditional" and everyone is given their…

Only Fools and Horses most memorable festive TV moment

TV Gossip

1 Dec 2010

Only Fools and Horses' Batman and Robin scene is Britain's most memorable Christmas TV moment. The classic sketch - which sees Del Boy (David Jason) and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) arrive at a fancy dress party in superhero costumes only to discover…

Stage musical The Secret Garden stars Siobhan Redmond

Cross-generational appeal of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel makes for ideal festive show

23 Nov 2010

It’s a century since the publication of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, but this seminal work of children’s literature has only grown in stature through time. The tale of Mary, an orphaned girl who seeks refuge in a blooming hidden garden…

Last-minute local love

17 Dec 2009

We round up ways to support local businesses while you do your Christmas shop. Alright, the search is over. You’re looking for somewhere you can go to get away from the city centre crowds, still, miraculously, get all your Christmas shopping done…

Mark Wright on a diet

TV Gossip

29 Dec 2011

Mark Wright is on a post-Christmas diet. The former 'Only Way Is Essex' star - who earlier this year came second on 'I'm a Celebrity. Get Me Out of Here!' - is trying to lose the extra pounds of the festive season by getting himself into an exercise…

Taste test: Mince pies

The best mince pies evaluated from Peckhams, Tesco, Marks And Spencer and more

13 Dec 2011

Peckhams Mince Pies ●●●● Fluffy pastry and a top-notch mincemeat filling make this a tasty treat from one of Scotland’s best deli staples. Sure, the pastry may seem heavy to some, but it is Christmas, so why not indulge yourself? Tesco Mince Pies…

The best comedy DVDs to give as Christmas presents in 2011

Tim Vine, Tommy Tiernan and Richard Herring among highlights

7 Dec 2011

What does it say about America that ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is among that nation’s top earning comedians? In 2009, Forbes.com placed him third behind Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock, having banked an estimated $30m. In response, an astonished Dunham…

'Dead' Carley Stenson is returning to Hollyoaks

TV Gossip

29 Nov 2011

Carley Stenson is to return to 'Hollyoaks' over the Christmas period. Despite the actress' alter-ego Steph Roach dying in a fire earlier this year, the blonde beauty will appear as an Angel in order to stop Doug Carter from taking his own life. As…

Christmas 2011 events in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Our round-up of some of the best festive fodder including markets, fairs and carol concerts

15 Nov 2011

Shopping To find prezzies with an individual feel or just some tasty treats, head out to a Christmas fair near you. In Glasgow, there’s the St Enoch Square annual market (from 20 Nov) and Country Living Magazine’s Christmas Fair, with homemade food…

Big Fat Gypsy Christmas commissioned by Channel 4

TV Gossip

12 May 2011

Channel 4 are planning a 'Big Fat Gypsy' Christmas special. The show - which follows the lives of the travelling community - was a huge hit when it was aired earlier this year and now bosses want a festive version, which focuses on how gypsies…

Lacey Turner's sock-filled Christmas

TV Gossip

24 Dec 2010

Lacey Turner wants socks for Christmas. The 'EastEnders' actress - who bows out of her role as Stacey Branning over the festive period - never asks her friends and relatives for any gifts, but admits she would be upset if she didn't see the same…

Barbara Windsor's Christmas engagement ring

TV Gossip

21 Dec 2010

Barbara Windsor's best-ever Christmas present was her engagement ring. The former 'EastEnders' actress - who has been married to Scott Mitchell for 10 years - revealed she was particularly thrilled when her partner proposed to her, as her gifts are…

Joe Thomas' boozy Christmas gifts

TV Gossip

21 Dec 2010

Joe Thomas is giving homemade alcohol to his nearest and dearest as Christmas presents. The 'Inbetweeners' actor - who plays unlucky-in-love Simon Cooper in the E4 comedy - has revealed he and his co-star girlfriend Hannah Tointon (Tara) believe…

Sufjan Stevens - I Saw Three Ships

Christmas music

1 Dec 2010

Sufjan Stevens has become synonymous with 21st century Christmas music. In fact the musician's discography could almost be divided in two based on the sheer volume of his Christmas music. 'I Saw Three Ships' is one of his more upbeat holiday-based…

The best places to buy Christmas trees in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Real Christmas trees, fake trees, wreaths, firewood and flowers

23 Nov 2010

Caring Christmas Trees has outlets for their sustainably-farmed Nordmann Firs in various locations around the country, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Musselburgh, Paisley, Livingston and Fife. The ‘caring’ part of the title comes from the charities…

Five Christmas books

7 Jan 2010

Augusten Burroughs You Better Not Cry: True Stories for Christmas A twisted collection of Yuletide tales in which the face of a stuffed Santa is eaten off and a tenement is constructed entirely from gingerbread. Atlantic. Loek Koopmans The…

Christmas and Hogmanay 2009 in Edinburgh

4 Nov 2009

It’s been all go for the last few weeks, as those in the know ponder how to bring you the best of times this Christmas and Hogmanay. In the capital, Edinburgh City Council is reportedly already looking to shindigs in 2010 and beyond, with early…

Dame on: Pantomimes in Scotland 2008

13 Nov 2008

There’s been something of a shift in the pantomime world over the last few years. Traditional pantos – innuendo-laden fairy tales replete with dame and a couple of faces off the telly – are still going strong, but increasingly, theatres have begun to…

Eat, drink and be merry: Christmas food

13 Nov 2008

‘Christmas dinner on a budget is easy, and you don’t have to end up with a can of Spam and a tub of out-of-date potato salad, either. It should be a special meal; it should feel special, and the secret to that is really simple – get a table set…

Hayley Atwell's cheesy Christmas

Celebrity Gossip

24 Dec 2011

Hayley Atwell plans to get "p****d before 12" on Christmas Day (25.12.11) after taking culinary tips from Ray Winstone. The 29-year-old actress - who appears alongside the 'King Arthur' actor in forthcoming crime movie 'The Sweeney' - plans to try…

Serge Pizzorno wants Christmas dinosaur

Celebrity Gossip

24 Dec 2011

Serge Pizzorno wants a dinosaur for Christmas. The Kasabian guitarist would love nothing more than to find an extinct animal waiting for him when he gets up tomorrow (25.12.11). Asked what he wants for Christmas, he said: "A huge diplodocus, that…

How to survive a Christmas away from home

Top tips for living an independent Christmas

22 Dec 2011

Utilise technology Why not use video calling to talk to your loved ones back at home? This way, you can visually update each other on your Christmas presents and have face-to-face conversations. Send presents Send thoughtful gifts to your…