Table of contents for 24-Dec-2018 in Now

Prince George got his own Christmas tree! Carole Middleton made sure her eldest grandchild felt the magic of Christmas by giving the five-year-old his very own tree. The Duchess of Cambridge’s mother, 63, revealed she adores Christmas trees and fills her home with them during the holidays – including one in each of her grandchildren’s rooms that they get to decorate themselves. There’s also one for three-year-old Princes Charlotte, but we’re guessing Prince Louis, seven months, is a bit young to be hanging up baubles. The Queen of Christmas returned Is it really the festive season until you’ve heard the opening bars of Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You ? The diva returned to the UK last week with her holiday concert tour, complete…

Christmas can be a lonely time, and Now can reveal that Jennifer Aniston has turned to ex-husband Brad Pitt to get through the holidays. We previously reported how the former couple are closer than ever and we’re told Jen, 49, and 54-year-old Brad have been meeting in secret to keep their new friendship under wraps. A well-placed source says, ‘Jen and Brad had been texting for a while back in September. They decided to meet up, but it was all kept top secret, as neither of them want anyone to know that they’re spending time together again.’ Their meet-ups come after Jen’s split from husband Justin Theroux and Brad’s on-going feud with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. On top of her marriage break-up last year, we’re told something playing on Jen’s mind…

He’s already been a judge on The X Factor but Gary Barlow isn’t as keen on the idea of working with his wife like bandmate Robbie Williams. Angels singer Robbie, 44, judged on this year’s show with his other half Ayda Field – something Gary, 47, thinks Mrs Barlow would never do. ‘I’d like to… she’d hate it!’ says Gary, when we catch up with Take That at the opening night of their West End show The Band . Gary started dating his wife Dawn when she was hired as a backing dancer with Take That in the 90s but, despite his fame, the pair have kept their 18-year-old marriage mostly out of the spotlight. What about a reality TV show? ‘The Barlows!’ chips in Howard Donald, but Gary’s not…

‘I’d considered surgery to make my bum pert’ Maria Redmond, 43, works as a Executive Assistant. She lives in Northampton with her husband Derek, 53, and has four children . Mine is a curvy bum and I work hard at keeping it that way. I pole dance and do yoga as well as weights classes, so I put the time in. I spend around eight hours a week in the gym and I really enjoy it. I’m only 5ft 3in and my bum is big for my size. I have a personal trainer once a week. I’d considered surgery to make my bum pert, but my trainer convinced me I could get the same results in the gym. I’ve always been curvy, but before the sessions my bum was flat…

Coleen and Wayne Rooney The Rooneys have a gorgeous fireplace in their Stateside lounge, and they’ve made the most of it with gold bows and fairy lights – you can barely see any green through those sparkly decorations on their super-blingy tree! Emma Bunton We were not expecting Baby Spice’s Christmas tree to be quite this over the top! We’re loving the cute polar bear face popping out, and there are even personalised baubles with Emma’s name on, as well as her fiancé Jade Jones and their two sons, Beau and Tate. How long must it have taken to decorate?! The Kardashians/Jenners Every Christmas, momager Kris Jenner brings the entire Kardashian/Jenner clan together for a truly spectacular day. She always has at least one huge Christmas tree, the staircases are…

As I tucked into a greasy pizza, I felt almost giddy with excitement. Ordering a takeaway was the highlight of the day for me, and I could easily devour my sweet and sour chicken with egg fried rice and a side of chips, as well as a tub of ice cream for dessert. It had been a long day, I told myself. There was always an excuse. Work stress, family problems, a bad night’s sleep – I could convince myself that any kind of circumstance meant I deserved a treat. But when I was finished scoffing my dinner, my bloated tummy strained under my trousers and I felt full of guilt and self-loathing. Piling on the pounds I’d always been big, ever since I was a teenager. I loved snacking,…

‘Dressed in a skimpy leather outfit, and pouting for the camera, I felt strong, sexy and beautiful. In fact, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been doing this for years. It was December 2012 and after the credit crunch several years earlier, my marketing business was failing and I’d been struggling to pay the bills. I was used to an extravagant lifestyle – private jets, expensive hotel suites and beautiful dresses – but I was losing money fast. ‘I need to find a new way of making money,’ I sighed to my partner at the time. He was a married man I’d met through the website Illicit Encounters and we’d been meeting regularly for the past six or seven years for sex, dinner dates and luxury holidays. Kinky tendencies Our sex…

Holly loves Have you ever wondered how Holly Willoughby always looks so fresh, whether she’s up with the lark on This Morning or out on the razz on the red carpet? ‘If lash curlers got discontinued I’d be upset,’ she confesses. ‘I have to curl my eyelashes every morning. My tip is to heat them up with a hairdryer – just be careful not to burn your eyelids!’ Tweezerman Rose Gold Lash Curler, £17 HACKS Hair ‘For a stylish undone up-do, smooth your hairline with a round brush first to ensure it looks elegantly dishevelled as opposed to rough.’ John Vial, Co-founder at Salon Sloane TRY IT NOW Plumper lips Cult brand Project Lip is offering needle-free alternatives to juice up your pout, including the addictively…

You’re not alone 1 Not-so silent night? Bed squeakier than a chipmunk singing Kate Bush at karaoke? Walls like wafer-thin ham? ‘You can still enjoy passion when the relatives are around,’ says Lovehoney and Now ’s sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight. ‘In the missionary position, roll on to your sides, as this encourages slower (and quieter!) thrusts. And if anyone walks in, say you’re having a Christmas cuddle.’ Sneaky. You’re worn out 2 Too busy? Bah humbug! Christmas comes just once a year, but it doesn’t mean you have to, however frazzled you’re feeling. ‘Sex is the best stress buster,’ says Annabelle. ‘Oxytocin [the ‘love hormone’] is produced during orgasm, so you’ll feel relaxed.’ Although, we reckon Mrs Claus can legitimately be excused at this time of year. It’s…

Breakfast 300 cals Breakfast egg muffins with onion, bacon, red pepper and spinach ASHTON SAYS: These are a great way to start the day and you can even make them in advance, meaning they’re ready to go on busy mornings. Lunch 200 cals Minestrone soup ASHTON SAYS: Soups are a great ‘lighter lunch’ option where you can get a lot of good nutrients into one bowl. Perfect for winter months. Dinner 600 cals Sea bass tray bake with cherry tomatoes, asparagus, chorizo and new potatoes ASHTON SAYS: Sea bass is a great fish, high in protein. Adding lots of veg and flavour makes this a well-rounded meal. Snacks 0 cals ASHTON SAYS: Some healthy snacks would help to increase Lucy’s low daily calorie count. Total cals: 1,100 (GDA 2,000) ASHTON’S…

STILL OPEN ALL HOURS Sunday 23 December, 6.50pm, BBC1 It may be the season of goodwill, but that doesn’t stop Granville from trying to boost his profits in this festive edition of the sitcom that guest stars Rita Tushingham. With a large consignment of mince pies to shift, what will he do to get his regulars to buy them? Meanwhile, Annie and George Thompson are celebrating 50 Christmases together – but as everyone gathers for a celebration, where are the happy couple? DEATH ON THE TYNE Saturday 15 December, 9pm, Gold Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson return as Terry and Gemma in another murder mystery, this time on a ship. When the pair take Mildred (Sheila Reid) and her care home friends Hilda and Colleen (Sue Johnston) on a cruise…

THUMBELINA Friday 21 December, 5pm, CBeebies AimeeCampbell-Nottage, Andy Day and Phil Gallagher are among the CBeebies stars taking part in a special musical version of Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina , which tells the story of a thumb-s d girl who tries to find out the truth about her identity. Nina And The NeuronsÕ Katrina Bryan plays Thumbelina, while Justin Fletcher is evil Mrs Toad. Also look out for Mr Bloom (Ben Faulks) as the caterpillar! THE MIDNIGHT GANG Boxing Day, 7.30pm, BBC1 David Walliams’ delightful children’s tale is brought to life, with a cast including Alan Davies, Mark Heap and Mr Walliams as the headmaster. The story sees a little boy, Tom, go on midnight adventures with his new friends that he meets in hospital. But how will it all…

All I want for Christmas... Santa, if you’re reading this, I’ve been a real good girl this year and for Christmas I would really like a new Louis Vuitton bag, some over-the-knee Fendi boots and I love Tom Ford makeup and perfume. Cheers, Santa baby! And if someone can arrange for Jason Momoa to be under the mistletoe, that would be just great. Thanks. Christmas Scrooge I’m a bit of a bah humbug when it comes to Christmas. I love all the decorations, sequins, sparkles and the excuse to celebrate – don’t get me wrong – but I always find Christmas Day a bit hard. I think when I have my own family I’ll love it again! I will go overboard making it special for my kids. I’ll prob see…

This time last year, Lisa Armstrong’s life was falling apart around her as she desperately battled to save her marriage. Now, as she faces her first Christmas without Ant McPartlin since 1994, she is trying to look forward. Ant, 43, and Lisa, 42, are still technically married, as details of a financial settlement are still being thrashed out by lawyers. But they have been free to cut their final formal ties since mid-November, and friends say Lisa is determined to start 2019 with a clean slate. ‘Last year she was dreading Christmas because her whole life was up in the air,’ a longstanding friend tells Now . ‘This time around she wants to try and enjoy herself, despite the inevitable pangs of loneliness and the flashbacks to when times were…

Brooklyn’s double-dates with Mum and Dad! Brooklyn Beckham is fast becoming known as a ladies’ man, following his split from Chloë Grace Moretz, and now he’s taking girls on dates with his famous parents! Last week, Brooklyn, 19, and his rumoured new girlfriend, Hana Cross, were snapped with David and Victoria at the Haig Club party in London’s Notting Hill. It seems model Hana is as much of a party animal as Brooklyn, as they didn’t leave until the early hours. And this wasn’t the couple’s first outing… After being spotted at a Mumford& Sons gig last month, Brooklyn and Hana enjoyed a date at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. You know it’s serious once they meet the parents. JLo sparks wedding rumours It looks like yummy mummy Jennifer Lopez…

Ferne McCann THE PURPLE ONE Ferne reminds us of the classic chocolate with this lilac two-piece, but we’re guessing she hasn’t got a caramel and hazelnut centre. Cheryl TOFFEE STICK We’re assuming it must have been Cheryl’s love of Quality Street that made her dress like a toffee stick. Tyra Banks FUDGE The most underrated sweet is the fudge, and Tyra has nailed the candy with this pink number. But this outfit makes us realise why it’s the one left in the tin. Ashley James STRAWBERRY DELIGHT The detailing on this scarlet number screams sweet wrapper to us – with very little left to unwrap judging by this. Nicola Roberts CARAMEL SWIRL Here’s Nicola channelling the caramel swirl, making an extra effort to get the shape exactly right with those…

Kate’s boozy Christmas lunch WHEN: 30 NOVEMBER WHERE: LONDON Kate Garraway was spotted getting in the festive spirit as she partied into the evening alongside friends at the Smooth Radio Christmas party. During the evening at the Salaam Namaste Indian restaurant in Holborn, the presenter, 51, was seen downing beer and joking around with fellow hosts Myleene Klass and Tina Hobley. She later left the venue looking tired and bleary eyed as she made a beeline for the taxis. We’re willing to bet she had a sore head the next morning! Broody Katie preps for baby number six with Kris? WHEN: 30 NOVEMBER WHERE: BRIGHTON Katie Price was seen getting dewy-eyed over a friend’s baby as she took it out for the day with Kris Boyson. The 40-year-old and her…

From Botox injections to lip fillers and nose jobs, these glamorous ladies have all enjoyed some ‘work’. And, as a result, they look a far cry from the fresh faces that first shot to fame. But while these procedures are usually done in an attempt to turn back the clock, sometimes it can have the opposit effect. See if you can guess their real ages. (Answers on the last page!) Amy Childs The original TOWIE queen looks miles older than her actual age. The mum-of-two is a long-time fan of lip fillers and Botox, and that hasn’t changed as she’s grown up. Chloe Sims She’s had veneers, fillers, a boob job and bum lift. She hangs out with people years younger than her on TOWIE , so Chloe’s age is…

FEELGOOD FASHION Boohoo has teamed up with Save The Children, giving £5 from every knit sold to the charity. SCENTSATIONAL One of four scents designed to be layered, this intense perfume is sure to get you noticed. HAIR OF THE DOG A party treat for your four-legged friends – the world’s gone mad! QUALITY STREET CHIC This jewel shade is gorgeous (if super-pricey), but we must admit we prefer it in chocolate form.…

CHRISTMAS EVE Prowl the Christmas party with perfect cat-eye flicks. After applying a velvety matte foundation, use a liquid liner to get that sharp, inky flick. Rest your elbow on a flat surface to steady yourself, and use a bank card lined up against your outer eye like a ruler to nail a precise upwards wing. Finish with a slick of twinkling lip gloss. CHRISTMAS DAY It might be cold outside, but you can easily warm up your complexion with bronzer and terracotta eye shades. Buff bronzing powder over your face, neck and décolletage, and focus an extra layer on the cheeks. Apply a wash of pinky-bronze eyeshadow over your lids (it suits all eye colours) and pucker up with a creamy nude lipstick. NEW YEAR’S EVE Party like it’s…

Hey guys, This issue I want to talk to you about Meghan and the tension she’s supposedly causing between Princes William and Harry . Family feuds concerning your partner can be one of the most difficult to overcome, as they require consideration, compassion and forgiveness from several people, all at once. Feuds are often made worse over the festive period due to higher levels of stress, unusual living scenarios and more time spent with extended family than usual. The best way to move forward is to set some ground rules everyone can agree to. Leaving your differences at the door, even for a short time, can help ease tensions and ensure that you have a much more relaxed and happier time all round. Dear Annabelle, I’m cooking Christmas dinner for…

BEST FOR: YOUR VEGAN COUSIN Itsu Dessert Dumplings, £3.50, Tesco Available in Chocolate & Banana, Sweet Berry and Caramelised Apple. Delish. BEST FOR: FAMILY FUN  Picard Dragées Cherry Frozen Log, £16.99, Ocado A candy cane-shaped dessert is bound to go down a treat! BEST FOR: A SWEET TOOTH Belgian White Chocolate Camembert, £14, choconchoc.co.uk Not a fan of a cheeseboard? This one’s got you covered. BEST FOR: KEEPING IT FESTIVE Extra Special Raspberry and Pistachio Wreath, £6, Asda Chocolate, meringue, raspberries and pistachios? We’re most definitely sold.…

Cook sprouts with pine nuts and pancetta like Kimberly Wyatt’s TAKES: 20 mins SERVES: 6 ENJOY: For the ultimate side dish at Christmas YOU WILL NEED: 150g smoked pancetta or bacon lardons 75g pine nuts 450g Brussels sprouts Squeeze of lemon juice and zest Butter, to serve 1 Fry the pancetta in a dry, non-stick frying pan until crispy, then remove with a slotted spoon and leave to drain on kitchen paper. 2 Add the pine nuts to the pan and fry until lightly browned, then remove with a slotted spoon and move on to kitchen paper to drain. 3 Trim the sprouts and discard any yellow leaves, then steam them until just tender. Put into a warmed serving dish with the lemon juice and butter, stir, then sprinkle over…

LOVE ISLAND: THE CHRISTMAS REUNION Monday 17 December, 9pm, ITV2 Nineteen past Love Islanders, including this year’s winners, Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer, will be whisked off to a festive retreat for a special get-together to lift the lid on the headlines. There’ll no doubt be Christmas spirit, but expect awkward chats and some old scores settled, too. Caroline Flack hosts. JANE & FRIENDS AT CHRISTMAS Saturday 22 December, 9pm, C5 Joining Jane McDonald in the studio will be Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley and former Pop Idol singer Zoe Birkett. Finally, Wizzard legend Roy Wood and his band will get us in the festive mood and wishing it could be Christmas every day. STRICTLY COME DANCING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL Christmas Day, 5.30pm, BBC1 It’s all about fairy tales and pixie…

Amanda’s Cutting It reunion WHEN: 4 DECEMBER WHERE: BLUEBIRD, CHELSEA Amanda Holden reunited with her Cutting It cast mates for a night of fizz, food and frolicks – more than a decade after the show ended in 2005. The Britain’s Got Talent judge was joined by co-stars Angela Griffin and Sarah Parish for dinner. Amanda, 47, who played Mia Bevan in the show, happily knocked back shots with her pals, before seeing double when Tamzin Ouhwaite received a giant mask of her face as part of their Christmas secret Santa gifts. Let’s hope the hangover’s kind… The Band Charity Gala WHEN: 4 DECEMBER WHERE: THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET Robbie Williams joined Take That’s Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald for a special…

Husband and wife professional dancers, Neil and Katya Jones were at the forefront of the latest Strictly curse this year, when Katya was spotted snogging her celebrity dance partner Seann Walsh. However, the couple are clearly working through their issues, as they were spotted looking loved up at a London event recently. Body language expert Judi James reveals what’s really going on… SOCIAL SMILE This pose looks like a more congruent pose in between the rigid grins. Katya sits away from Neil looking down, while her husband is wearing a rather sickly-looking social smile, rather than the real deal. OVERACTED This is an overly harmonious pose with Katya throwing her head back to bare her neck and perform what looks like an overacted open-mouthed smile, very much for the camera.…

The décolletage dropout! WHEN: 3 DECEMBER WHERE: NEIL SIMON THEATRE, NEW YORK Kim and Kanye went out for a rare date night without the kids when they attended the opening of The Cher Show on Broadway. Although Kim’s floor-length silver dress left little to the imagination resulting in the 38-year-old having to adjust herself to avoid a wardrobe malfunction! It looks like there may be trouble in paradise too, as Kim was spotted looking stony-faced as she left the event with the rapper, 41 – possibly for a few, subtle ‘emergency repairs’. As costume-queen Cher might have said: ‘Let’s do this with stitches .’ Awkward! Carry on partying, Jamie? WHEN: 1 DECEMBER WHERE: FACES NIGHTCLUB, ESSEX Jamie Laing looked a bit worse…

Gemma Collins The GC has done amazingly well at losing weight this year. Since signing up to take part in Dancing on Ice in 2019, the TOWIE star, 37, has admitted that the gruelling practice sessions are to thank for her slimmed-down figure. ‘I wanted to do this show to get in shape and it’s working,’ she said. ‘I’ve gone from a size 24 to a 22 in four weeks.’ Sounds like she’s putting the hours in – keep it up em! Susanna Reid After embarking on a health kick in September, Susanna recently revealed that she’s lost two stone – and she’s looking fantastic for it! The Good Morning Britain presenter decided to change her diet and fitness plan after a doctor revealed that she…

Scarlett Lee has had a rollercoaster of a year. After not even making it through to Judges’ Houses in 2017, she came back to The X Factor this year and absolutely wowed the judges and viewers, making it all the way to second place – just losing out to Dalton Harris. However, horror struck for Scarlett’s family when they had a devastating house fire halfway through the competition. Now, having moved back into her family home just in time for Christmas, Scarlett tells us why she’s looking forward to celebrating with her family and why she won’t be buying her mentor Simon Cowell a present this year… ‘I have always wanted to tour’ Hi, Scarlett! What’s life been like since the X Factor final? Oh my God, manic! I’ve been…

Favourite festive song? That one that goes [sings], ‘And the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day…’ [We think he means Fairytale of New York] I play it sometimes when it’s not even Christmas. The most you’ve ever spent on someone at Christmas? Over a grand… I probably shouldn’t have said that. It was 30 quid [laughs]. Favourite part of Christmas dinner? Pigs in blankets. And stuffing, you know the stuff that goes in the bird? Favourite festive film? How the Grinch Stole Christmas Favourite chocolate? The Purple One from Quality Street.…

FAME ‘I want to be like Katie Price’ Tracy Kiss, 31, is a fitness instructor. The mum-of-two from Wendover, Bucks, has appeared on 27 TV shows at her last count and in almost 50 newspapers and magazines. She even had ‘designer vagina’ surgery for media attention. From the age of 18, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of Katie Price. I wanted to be known, recognised and have people look up to me, like I did to her. I started my career by glamour modelling in newspapers and magazines. I loved the attention and had no life plan apart from wanting to be famous. ‘Being on TV – I’m constantly chasing the high’ After my daughter Millie was born in October 2007 and my son Gabriel in April 2012,…

Kerry Washington A statement alternative to classic black or camel, Kerry’s baby-pink coat is giving us serious style envy. We love how she’s kept the rest of her look tonal with muted monochrome – and extra style points for those rose-tinted shades, too. Lucy Mecklenburgh Stepping out for the Pride of Britain awards, reality star Lucy gives her tulle skirt a grown-up edge with a tailored blazer in the same pastel hue. Strappy sandals and an embellished clutch complete the look perfectly. Sarah Jessica Parker She’s done it again! Proving you can look chic and cosy at the same time, SJP layers an oversized coat over her super-slinky dress, just in time for party season. Keira Knightley The star of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms…

Christmas is supposed to be the most magical time of year, but for many it’s tough. Mental health takes a hit around now – 76% of us have trouble sleeping, and 60% of us have panic attacks, according to MIND. So the last thing you need is a break-up that’ll leave you sobbing All I Want for Christmas Is You down the phone to your ex. ‘A break-up is a long journey, with good days and bad days, but you have to live through it to let go and move on,’ advises life coach Jivan Dempsey-Person*. ‘The first step to healing is to accept it happened for a reason and you weren’t meant to be together. Remember, you are responsible for your own happiness and your own recovery. Try not…

HEIGHT: 5ft 6in WEIGHT: ‘I don’t know. I prefer to go on how I feel!’ SIZE: 8 Hey, Lucy! How do you motivate yourself to stay in shape? My long-term goal is my overall health and well-being. We should always be looking after our bodies for the long run, not just for summer. Setting myself short-term goals like my holidays, Christmas parties and photoshoots are great ways to keep fit and motivated, too. Do you stay active at Christmas? I usually exercise indoors, so if the weather’s bad, it doesn’t affect my workouts and I can’t make excuses! Christmas is such a busy time, so I schedule my workouts in my diary or on my phone, even if it’s for a quick 20-minute session. What’s your go-to festive treat? Mince…

AQUARIUS 21 Jan-19 Feb Don’t be so quick to judge. Someone isn’t struggling on purpose. Your compassion may be tested – it’s not the first time they’ve been in this situation. Deep breath; resolution is close. UK: 0905 817 1571* IRL: 1560 787911* PISCES 20 Feb-20 Mar As the fog clears and you see who did or said what, it’s a great time to be clear about how you proceed, armed with all the facts. Don’t be put off by timing; things can still be achieved despite the tinsel. UK: 0905 817 1572* IRL: 1560 787912* ARIES 21 Mar-20 Apr Life is an adventure, but what does that mean? Do you plan for adventure or let it happen? Stay open to new things and act when they present themselves? Work…

‘Merry Christmas everyone! Tree’s up... in the garden, not the house. The little uns are more relaxed with it outside and after a 5 year wait I finally get to go big time with the lights!!! So happy... until i get the leccy bill #christmas #lights #50pforthemeter #merrychristmas #december #christmastree #iusedtohavetreeenvy #seeitfromthemoon.’ Paddy McGuinness ‘Kinda losing my mind with portrait mode.’ Dani Dyer ‘At Christmas I use only the best toilet paper to wrap my gifts for the biggest in my life! This one’s for you @thepiersmorgan #MANDYLOVESXMAS #notanad #abitoffun #merrychristmas' Amanda Holden #Repost @theaberdaremtb Not long now!! Vernon Kay ‘How much tartan is too much tartan? Dressed all festive to start dressing the homestead with Christmas glitzzz. Might even go with flashing multicoloured lights and tinsel on the tree…