At 68, she is tackling the subject of end-of-life decisions in her fifth novel. Dawn French’s latest novel deals with end-of-life decisions (Pål Hansen/PA) Comedian, actor and writer Dawn French is fervently aware that broaching the subject of end-of-life decisions in her latest novel is likely to cause controversy. The theme of having control over end-of-life decisions might not seem an instant holiday read from The Vicar Of Dibley star, but it forms the backdrop to her new

The presenter and campaigner tells Eleanor Fleming how concern over the planet has impacted him and how nature aids his mental and physical wellbeing. Chris Packham has shared his earliest memory of eco-anxiety and how it affected him (Handout/PA) Wildlife TV presenter and campaigner Chris Packham’s earliest memory of eco-anxiety traces back to his early teens, when he felt “blind rage” for the first time. The now-65-year-old, who lives in the New Forest with his partner Char

The quirky comedian talks about his love of suburbia, feeling old and a life of pottering. Tom Allen has embraced life in suburbia (Jiksaw/PA) He didn’t leave home until he was 37, but comedian and TV presenter Tom Allen says he has always felt older than his years. He admits that he likes nothing better than to be in his own suburban garden with his partner, Alfie Garston – his first boyfriend – and inviting celebrity guests to join him on his Pottering podcast. Sounds fairl

The former Loose Woman talks to Prudence Wade about her experiences with shame on the public stage. Andrea McLean’s latest book explores the different ways she’s experienced shame (Mark Harrison/PA) TV presenter Andrea McLean describes going into debt as a “whirling feeling of hopelessness and helplessness” – one she dealt with secretly for a long time. McLean left her 13 year stint on ITV’s Loose Women in 2020, going on to found a female personal growth business called This

The Body Coach is back with a new cookbook, Protein In 15, which he hopes will get us all back in the kitchen and away from ultra-processed foods. Joe Wicks The Body Coach “My little boy, he had leftover Thai green curry for breakfast yesterday,” says Joe Wicks, 40, deadly serious. “It had baby corn, mangetout, chicken, not even any rice, it was just the actual curry, and he loved it. And it’s like, why do I need to give my child sugary cereals when that’s just been sold to u

From gripping thrillers and award-winning novels to beautifully illustrated hardbacks and joyful festive stories, these are the top books to buy from Waterstones this Christmas, guaranteed to delight under the tree. Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes Mary 90: My Very Best Recipes (Hardback) £14.00 Join Britain’s best-loved cook, Mary Berry, as she celebrates her 90th birthday with a career-spanning collection of iconic, fuss-free recipes for every occasion. The Impossible Fortune

Lauren Taylor chats to the TV chef about his tips and tricks for everything from the turkey to the sprouts. (James Murphy/PA) In a restaurant kitchen, even professional chefs don’t have to make every element of a three-course meal. But at Christmas, “When you’re cooking at home, you have to do everything,” says Rick Stein, “therefore your timing has to be really good. In a restaurant kitchen you’re doing four or five things really, and nothing else, also they’re all part of t

Bag everything from cookery to romance in our pick of the best. Lovers of books are sure to find something to enjoy in this list (Alamy/PA) Whether your loved one likes cooking or life stories, sagas or romances, there’s a book out there which you can gift them to make them happy on Christmas Day. Here are 10 which might suit anyone from hobbyists to history buffs, dystopian fans and real life readers. 1. Padella by Tim Siadatan (Bloomsbury, £25) If you are already tired of t

The popular TV chef talks to Lauren Taylor about the ITV show, not rehearsing, and meeting famous guests. Chef James Martin talks about the buzz of cooking live on TV and creating recipes that anyone can whip up at home (Dan Jones/PA) James Martin may have been on TV since the mid-Nineties, but that doesn’t mean he wants to see it back. “I’ve never watched myself in 34 years of doing it. I can’t watch it, I just can’t – it’s really weird,” says the 53-year-old. The chef made

The Strictly Come Dancing judge talks to Lauren Taylor about feeling good, getting older and his life as a novelist. Anton Du Beke (Nicky Johnston/PA) Anton Du Beke has revealed the most common remark made when he’s recognised in public is how surprisingly youthful he looks. “My favourite comment of all time is, ‘Oh, you look much younger in real life!” says the Strictly Come Dancing judge who turns 60 in July. Although he jokes he is “a bit depressed” about the upcoming mile

Leaf through some of this season’s finest offerings. (Timber Press/Cool Springs Press/Frances Lincoln/PA) As the weather starts to close in, if you’ve finished raking the leaves, cutting your hedge, and weeding and mulching your borders, put your feet up with an autumn gardening book to offer inspiration for the seasons ahead. Whether you’re looking for terrific planting combinations, some mouth-watering recipes utilising your own home-grown produce, or creating a vintage par

The TV star and business guru on putting ‘Harvey Nicks’ on the shopping radar and her different vision for retail. Mary Portas (Linda Nylind/PA) When Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley descended on Harvey Nichols out of hours to film the first Absolutely Fabulous in the early Nineties, Mary Portas, the marketing guru who had fixed the TV setting, knew she was taking a huge risk. Her decision could go either way. She could get free marketing for the store through the new BBC

The Gavin & Stacey star talks about nudity, sexual harassment and how she keeps her marriage fresh. Gavin & Stacey actress Joanna Page...

The Clarkson’s Farm star discusses juggling family and farming. Kaleb Cooper (Kaleb Cooper/Cody Burridge/PA) Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb...

This week’s bookcase includes reviews of Helm by Sarah Hall and Bloody Awful in Different Ways by Andrev Walden. Five books to read this...

Lou Robbie – who went viral for her healthy lunchbox snacks online – chats to Lauren Taylor about why we all need to use our freezers...

The TV presenter talks about the inspiration behind her new novel set in Cornwall. Fern Britton talks about her family secrets and the...

The ultimate picnic food. Katie Caldesi’s Scotch eggs (Maja Smend/PA) “Scotch eggs were invented by Fortnum and Mason in 1738 for...

Up your barbecue game with this slow cooked meat, finished off on the grill. Tom Kerridge’s smoky beef short ribs recipe (Cristian...