Innholdsfortegnelse for 23-Dec-2024 i Woman

ZAC EFRON All we want for Christmas is Zac! The actor, 37, is the perfect package. GORKA MARQUEZ With a chiselled body like this, Strictly pro Gorka, 34, clearly hasn’t been tucking into the mince pies this year. JAMIE REDKNAPP Former footballer Jamie, 51, can certainly jingle our bells this festive season. PETER ANDRE We wonder if Pete’s wife Emily would mind us stealing the singer, 51, for a quick kiss under the mistletoe? ANTHONY JOSHUA A topless AJ, 35, is at the top of our wish list. Imagine waking up to him on Christmas morning! CHANNING TATUM Actor Channing, 44, has our heart this Christmas. Let’s hope he doesn’t give it away… JACK GREALISH He may have just welcomed his first child, but footballer Jack, 29, has no dad…

FROM £2.99 CHRISTMAS BOTTLED If you could capture the smell of the holiday season, Jo Malone London Fir & Artemisia Cologne, £58 for 30ml, jomalone.co.uk, is it. It’s woody and earthy, like walking through a wintery forest. The bottle will look gorgeous on your dressing table. SOMETHING SWEET Kylie Minogue Darling EDP, £12.99 for 75ml, Superdrug, is back! A heavenly scent with luscious top notes like passion fruit and lychee, flirty floral elements and a gorgeous vanilla and sandalwood base. GET COSY Feeling chilly? Lush Turmeric Latte Perfume, £30 for 30ml, lush.com, is like a hug in a bottle. Creamy vanilla and tonka make you feel all warm and snuggly. Plus it’s vegan-friendly and ethically made. THE PRICE IS RIGHT According to research from Avon, 43% of women admitted that,…

When you lose someone you love, the smallest things can catch you out unexpectedly: a song, a meal, a beloved TV show. For me, a few notes from the song Tomorrow from the musical Annie, the smell of pizza, or the sight of a Toy Story character are enough to make a lump form in my throat – because they were some of my son Caoimhin’s favourite things in the world. Now, though, they’re all I have to remember him by. Caoimhin was such a longed-for baby. My husband Kieran and I had always wanted lots of children, and along with our other three, Aimee, then 10, Dylan, six, and Aodhan, four, he completed our family when he arrived in November 2014, 12 weeks early. He only weighed 2lb and…

IF YOU LOVE TO WIN PRIZES THEN VISIT comps.womanmagazine.co.uk What is one thing that singers Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger have in common? Simply solve the crossword and then read through the shaded squares to find the four-word answer. ACROSS 1 Character from Sex and the City (2,3)4 Harbour (4)6 Filmmaker (8)13 Michigan city (7)14 Exact (7)15 Adversary (5)16 Mix of black and white (4)17 Bracelet (6)18 Sculpted figure (6)20 Unwell (4)21 Notions (5)22 Citrus fruit (6)25 Desire for food (8)28 Rubs out (6)30 Shelf (5)32 Quarrel (8)34 Broad street (6)35 In this place (4)38 Mean, cruel (6)39 Divine messenger (5)40 American state (6)43 Bird’s bill (4)44 Dairy product (6)45 Least expensive (8)48 Marsh (5)49 Cooking instructions (6)51 Convict (8)54 Part of a shirt (6)55 Unit of volume (5)56 Metal…

COLEEN’S BIG MONEY DEAL She may not have taken home the crown on I’m a Celebrity but Coleen Rooney’s time on the show has seen the star in line for a number of profitable deals. An insider revealed, ‘When she was in the jungle, she was being touted as ITV’s next Holly Willoughby and the offers have already started flooding in.’ But it’s not only TV deals that Coleen, 38, is being headhunted for. The source added, ‘Lifestyle and nutritional brands have all been sending lucrative contracts.’ We can’t wait to see what you do next, Coleen. Kate’s latest blow After an already tough year, Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway faced yet more heartache as it was revealed that her TV firm, Praespero 100, is in financial trouble. According to…

TRUMP VS HARRY Prince Harry faces a troublesome Christmas as he waits to see what President-elect Trump may do about his visa situation. And it could cause problems for his life in Montecito with Meghan (who is an American citizen). It’s no secret that there is little love lost between the Sussexes and Trump. The Republican has previously weighed in on the prince’s US visa application, which came under scrutiny after Harry admitted in his memoir Spare that, as a teen, he used cocaine and smoked marijuana, and also tried magic mushrooms back in 2016. Speaking at a political conference in February, Trump claimed the Biden administration had been ‘too gracious’ to Harry since his 2020 move to California. ‘I wouldn’t protect him,’ he proclaimed. ‘He betrayed the Queen. That’s…

Add a touch of sparkle to your holiday celebrations with Christmas crackers filled with dazzling jewellery! Choose the look from gold or silver, and even adorned with pearls – all pieces are crafted from PVD-plated stainless steel and are shower-safe and tarnish-resistant. Wear them dressed up or down, for day or night.…

Beat stiffness in seconds The TV schedules are packed with our favourite shows and films at this time of year, so it’s very tempting to adopt a permanently seated position, especially if the weather isn’t bright and crisp enough for festive stomps. Not necessarily a bad thing, though. After all, we need rest and a change of routine now and then. But if your aim is to gear your body into action for a new year get-in-shape programme, then it’s a good idea to keep joints mobile, ready for what you have planned. There is so much you can do from the comfort of your home – in the time it takes to boil a kettle (or make a martini!). Start with a doorway pectoral stretch. I love this one.…

Stop bladder leaks spoiling your fun Around four in 10 UK women will experience urinary incontinence at some point in their life, but it doesn’t have to hold you back… When it comes to ageing gracefully, I suspect none of us want to do it with a leaky bladder. There are a few different reasons why you may be experiencing one, but I want to reassure you that it’s very common and nothing to be embarrassed about. If you leak when you exert force on your tummy by laughing, jumping or coughing, this may be stress incontinence. This occurs due to a weakened muscle around your wee pipe (urethra) from your bladder. Usually, this holds tight to keep urine in the bladder until you go to pass urine. Suddenly get…

How to haggle to get the best bargains Just over a third of Brits haggle on their bills, according to research from GoCompare, with broadband, car insurance and mobile phone contracts top of the list. Haggling is as old as the hills, yet in the UK, a quarter of us admit to being terrible at it*. Fear of feeling awkward, coming across as rude, and not knowing what an acceptable offer is are all cited as top reasons for not asking for a better price. However, if you can summon the courage, the chances are it will pay off. Try these top tips. 1 DO YOUR RESEARCH Use price comparison websites and apps to check competitor prices. Having this at your fingertips shows you mean business. It gives you a…

PRIMARK Traditional pieces in red, gold and green tones will bring a jolly vibe to even the simplest of spaces. MATALAN For a minimalist approach, look for simple shapes and a monochrome colour palette. JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS Luxe fabrics and shimmery textures will add opulence to your room. M&S Balance out playful and kitsch pieces with shiny metallics and sparkle. DUNELM Muted tones and natural touches will bring a Scandi-cool feel to your festivities. NEXT Just a few chic decorative pieces can transform your table or mantlepiece.…

ARIES 21 Mar – 20 Apr The thing about Neptune is that you can’t trust it. Neptune beguiles and bedazzles. So, don’t be misled by appearances. Check the back story and only rely on the facts. For your reading ☎09058 172557 TAURUS 21 Apr – 21 May Christmas gatherings can be fun, but they are mired with landmines! Do not share something told in confidence or turn fiction into fact. Avoid a breach of trust. For your reading ☎09058 172558 GEMINI 22 May – 22 Jun Where am I going? Why? Who with? Such questions may arise and need to be answered. Is that person or situation full of value or a waste of your time? For your reading ☎09058 172559 CANCER 23 Jun – 23 Jul Did you send…

Sheree Murphy found fame as Emmerdale’s Tricia Dingle, and she’s joining fellow soap stars Chris Bisson, Natalie Cassidy, Dean Gaffney and Shobna Gulati for The Great Christmas Bake Off. In the one-off special, they will be hoping to impress judges Paul Hollywood and Dame Prue Leith with their baking skills as they battle it out to be Festive Star Baker 2024. Here, she reveals more about her time in the famous tent… How did it feel to walk into the tent for the first time? It was a real pinch-me moment! I have been a fan of the show for so long. It was really good and also a bit surreal to be there. We were all very nervous. We all know each other from being in soaps over the…

ROBIN HOOD JANE McDONALD TV legend and national treasure Jane takes on the role of Maid Marion in the London Palladium’s production of Robin Hood. From 7 December until 12 January, Jane, 61, will shine onstage alongside panto royalty Julian Clary and Nigel Havers. SLEEPING BEAUTY CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS Actor and pantomime legend Biggins plays The Spirit of Dreams in Sleeping Beauty at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. The 76-year-old will be wowing audiences alongside Steps star Faye Tozer from 6 December until 5 January. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS LESLEY JOSEPH Birds of a Feather’s Lesley will leave her cheery disposition at the door to play The Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Theatre Royal Plymouth. From 13 December until 11 January, Lesley, 79,…

HEADING HOME FOR CHRISTMAS There’s something magical about London’s busy train stations at this time of year. It reminds me of the opening scene of Love Actually, where people are greeting loved ones and Hugh Grant observes, ‘If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.’ In the weeks leading up to Christmas, London’s busiest train stations see a surge in foot traffic. Whether it’s commuters heading home for the holidays or last-minute shoppers rushing here and there weighed down with gifts – more than a million people pass through the likes of King’s Cross station daily in the run-up to Christmas. If you get the chance, grab a coffee and people-watch. I just love the special energy; the transience and…

Meghan is reported to be ‘furious at Kate’s meddling’ after hubby Harry was offered an olive branch from his estranged brother. Sources close to the Sussex clan have been quoted as saying that the duchess is ‘panicking’ about Harry being ‘sucked back’ into his old life. The widely reported claims come after William appeared to offer his brother an olive branch in a TV documentary about homelessness. The 42-year-old royal recalled his memories of visiting a shelter with Harry and their late mother Diana. This followed a tweet from William wishing his brother a happy 40th birthday back in September. In the subtle world of the royals, these comments have been seen as a possible attempt by the future King to finally try to ease the war with his brother.…

1 Who was the first celeb to be voted off this year’s Strictly Come Dancing? A Toyah Willcox B Tom DeanC Nick KnowlesD Paul Merson 2 Following their epic falling-out, what did Phillip Schofield reportedly nickname former pal Holly Willoughby? A WitchB MonsterC Horrible Holly D Nasty Pasty 3 What was the name of Olly Alexander’s song that represented the UK in Eurovision? A Busy B Dizzy C Fizzy D Lizzy 4 Which of these actors did NOT give birth this year? A Sienna MillerB Margot RobbieC Jenna ColemanD Keira Knightley 5 Sydnie Christmas won this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, but how did she impress the judges and viewers to clinch the crown? A SingingB DancingC MagicD Comedy 6 The cast of which TV cop show reunited to catch a…

DRESSES WITH SLEEVES The festive period is all about standout style – think sequins, metallics and plush velvet in classic holiday hues that exude instant glamour. If you’re opting for a fitted style, consider wearing a shapewear slip underneath to create a streamlined silhouette. PARTY TOPS Dress up your favourite jeans with a statement top, or team with a swishy A-line midi skirt. Whether you’re drawn to rich jewel tones, classic black, or glistening silver and gold, a striking party top is the perfect way to add a touch of festive flair to your existing wardrobe at this time of year. WIDE-LEG TROUSERS This season’s trending bottoms look great worn with a novelty Christmas jumper, soft knit or coordinating top. To complete the look, choose pointed-toe heels for a touch…

Will men just use me for fun? Q After my husband died a few months ago, I didn’t dare to start dating because I was so overweight, and was very scared I’d get constantly rejected. Now I’ve started a new diet plan and the pounds are falling off. But now I’m scared men will just want to have sex with me and then leave. I need to get out there, but don’t know how. SUSAN SAYS A Please don’t ‘get out there’! You’re not nearly ready to date yet. Your loss is recent. You’re mourning your husband. You’re adjusting to being alone. And losing weight and rushing straight into a new partnership won’t resolve your intense anxiety about life ahead. Instead, slow down. Lean on family and friends. Then gently…