Table of contents for December 24, 2015 in Chat

Love was the last thing on my mind when I started seeing Anthony Phillips in February 2010. I’d just lost my mum Janet to cancer. We’d been so close, I was a wreck. But then I bumped into Anthony, an old friend of mine. We’d met over 10 years earlier, but lost touch. And now he was back in my life, despite my grief for Mum, I felt a spark between us. Anthony was a bodybuilder, tall and muscly, with bulging biceps. I fancied him like mad. I knew he’d been in trouble in the past, but he swore he was a changed man. ‘We can make a fresh start, together,’ Anthony promised. And, at first, things went well. Anthony was charming and full of flattery. He was strong and…

Like most people, I planned to spend New Year’s Eve dancing the night away. Instead, I rang in 2013 from a hospital bed… After suffering a heart attack. I was born with congenital heart disease. I’d had two shunts put in my heart as a baby, then open-heart surgery aged 7. I was on constant medication and blue from lack of oxygen. Doctors said I’d need a heart transplant one day. So when I woke that New Year’s Eve morning with relentless heart palpitations, I knew I was in trouble. ‘Call an ambulance,’ I gasped to my boyfriend David, then 31. Doctors at New Cross Hospital stabilised me. I was already on the transplant list, there was nothing to do but wait. I was allowed home after a few days,…

Festive placeholders Twist tinsel pipe cleaners into the shape of your guests' initials - keep one end long enough to fold around the back of the napkin. Sue Aldwin, Wigan Sweet dreams If you have holiday guests sleeping over, put Christmas stickers on lavender bags and place under their pillows. Carol Loader, Taunton Table treats Fill the glasses on your Christmas table with bags of sweets. Just take out before pouring the wine! Christine Bartram, Heanor Christmas Chat I cut down cereal boxes and cover them with wrapping paper, so I have a holder for the bumper issues of my favourite mag! Michelle Pell, Evesham Dessert topping Popcorn sprinkled over fruit is a fun way to get kids to eat some healthy food over the holidays! Karen Baker, Watford Festive…

Hanging beauty treats Studio London The Perfect Finish No 2, £4, Superdrug A lip gloss and an eyeliner for £4 - this is a real steal! Limited Collection Hanging Nail Polish in Pink Shine, £4, Marks & Spencer Everyone will love this hot-pink shade! Grace Cole White Nectarine and Pear Luxe Bauble, £5, House of Fraser Contains a bottle of shimmering body wash in its signature fragrance. Lip Smacker's Chupa Chups Collection Ornament, £6.99, Claire's Accessories A cute bauble of four lip balms in lovely lollipop flavours. Yum! Burt's Bees Burt's Classics Beeswax Edition, £6.99, burtsbees.co.uk Beauty essentials lip balm and hand salve are a great gift!…

Dressed in my skimpiest shorts and a bikini top or bustier, I’m ready to get down to business. Lying on my front, I press my bulging belly on top of my client and feel him trying to struggle free. He’ll be no match for my 31st bulk, though. I should know – I’ve done this before..! See, I work full-time as a ‘squasher’, offering my services from a purpose-built dungeon in Chicago. In other words, I use my massive bulk to crush guys, who pay for the privilege! And, at almost £200 a time, I certainly won’t be short of dosh this Christmas. I first got into squashing back in 2007. A qualified massage therapist, I worked in a chiropractor’s, but I was starting to get bored of the daily…

Gin Morrisons London Dry Gin, £10.49 Smooth and dry with a citrus aroma, this gin scooped the Which? Best Buys Taste Test award - even beating the big-brand names! Aldi Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin, £9.99 A clear, light, crisp gin with rounded spice and a touch of juniper, this award-winning gin is perfect in a classic G&T. The Co-Operative Special Dry London Gin, £11.99 A traditional-style gin. Dry - and a perfect mixer. Vodka The Co-Operative Imperial Vodka, £11.99 Smooth, with a slight vanilla note and creamy finish, this slips down a treat. Tesco Vodka, £10.50 Crisp and clean-tasting, with a smooth finish. Perfect for creating cocktails. Morrisons M Signature Vodka, £15 Distilled five times for a pure, clear vodka that's good any which way you drink it! Irish…

Panettone Morrisons Chocolate Chip Panettone, £2 You'll find this small cake at the in-store bakery, the perfect size for a tea-time treat, instead of traditional cake - and not a dried fruit in sight! Sainsbury's Almond Panettone, 750g, £10 A hazelnut-paste topping gives this light, fruity cake a wonderful flavour, and, in its pretty box, it makes a perfect gift! Lidl Favorina Panettone, 1kg, £3.49 Light, fruity, and soft - this cake is simply delicious - and, at this price, you can't go wrong! NEW Udi's Peri Peri Tortillas, £2, Asda These gluten-free tortilla chips are ideal for nachos, to scoop up salsa - or just to nibble on their own.…

The phone call came completely out of the blue – I’d won a prize draw on Chat Mag Bingo. It was a fabulous, all-inclusive week for two on the beautiful Greek island of Kos. And it wasn’t my first Chat Mag Bingo win, either. In 2011, I’d won a massive £8,566! Me and my mum Elizabeth Coney, 69, love a bit of bingo. Mum sometimes went to the bingo hall. But as a busy mum – and a foster parent with my hubby David, 58 – I often didn’t have time. So playing online’s great. Mum and I had a pact to share our winnings so, when I’d get a full house on a 90-ball bingo game, I’d split my win with Mum. Then, earlier this year, I saw a…

IVF inquiry Q Our New Year's resolution is to have a baby! We've been told we need IVF. Is it true you can't have it if you smoke, or are overweight? Angie, 38 A The advisory body NICE recommends IVF for most infertile women up to age 42, but local NHS policies may introduce extra criteria such as not being overweight, a smoker, aged over 35, or having children from a previous relationship. Ask your GP. Sugar dip Q An hour after a meal, my blood sugar drops and I feel weak, shaky and light-headed until I eat sweets. It's making it impossible to lose weight! Joanna, 53 A A condition called reactive hypoglycemia means blood sugar plummets after a meal, but it's rare. A test from your GP will…

Flicking through the racks of baby clothes, I just couldn’t find anything I liked. I was five months pregnant with a little boy and was desperate to stock up on some cute outfits. But I found all of the boys’ clothes in shops boring and dull. ‘There are loads of cute dresses for girls, but nothing interesting for boys,’ I moaned to my hubby Nick, 33. So I started looking online. Stumbling across a Super Mario outfit for newborns, I had to laugh. How adorable! I thought. I knew Nick would find it funny, so I ordered it. Then I found more fancy-dress outfits for babies. The Hungry Caterpillar, Spider-Man, a penguin… They all looked so sweet, I just couldn’t resist buying them. Soon, I had quite a collection, all…

‘Happy birthday!’ we all chimed in unison as my sister blew out the 40 candles on her cake. ‘I’m so glad you could make it, Julie,’ she said. I’d travelled hours to get to Leeds, but I’d begun to feel unwell. I felt sick, had severe headaches and was very sensitive to light. On 29 December, the day after my sister’s birthday, I couldn’t get out of bed. I went to hospital, where I was tested for meningitis and given a lumbar puncture, as well as a cocktail of antibiotics. My system was already full of antibiotics from when I’d had a tooth infection a few weeks before, but I still felt awful. And doctors couldn’t find what was wrong. Discharged on New Year’s Day, I soon found myself unable…

Sagittarius 23 Nov - 21 Dec Right now! An offer you can’t refuse – but at the same time, one you don’t want to accept. There’s nothing wrong with it – it’s just not what you want, that’s all. Plus, if you agree, you’ll be expected to stay with it, which you’ll hate. Better to be honest right now, before you get drawn further in. More stars for all you Archers... Call 0905 817 0698 *  today! Your year ahead You're a natural wanderer. You get bored in one place for too long. This year, planetary pressures urge you to move on. How soon and how far is up to you, but it's unlikely you'll end 2016 in the same place as you are in 2015. But how can…

Mum died, then Dad from a broken heart... Dear Tony, In February 2000, my wonderful mum died from thrombosis. My dad died a few months later, I think from a broken heart. As an only child, losing both parents in the space of four months was very hard. Are they happy in Spirit? I miss them so much. Diane, Sittingbourne Dear Diane, Firstly, it's important you know your parents are together in Spirit. I can feel how much you were adored by them - you were the focus of their love and the apple of their eye. Your mum laughs as she remembers washing and ironing your dad's shirts. Even though he had a manual job, it was a family joke how she always sent him out looking dapper. Your…

Adjusting my blue headscarf, I cradled my 10-week-old son Sidney. ‘Holy moly, it’s almost time!’ I laughed to my fella Gareth Yardley, then 31. It was 22 December 2012, and we were perched on hay bales in a makeshift wooden hut outside the Holy Trinity Church in Hull. Three months earlier, we’d responded to Reverend Matt Woodcock’s plea for a volunteer baby Jesus in Holy Trinity’s first-ever live nativity. Born on 4 October, Sidney was perfect for the star role! And, as his parents, who better to play Mary and Joseph? At 1pm, we’d taken our places, hidden behind a curtain. Meanwhile, our older boy Finlay, then 2, joined my mum Joanne, 51, and dad Brian, 55, for the procession, starting at Hull City Hall. Before long, 200 onlookers gathered…

But then – after eight days of horror – Anthony pinned me down and raped me. Afterwards, I felt broken – so battered and beaten, that I could hardly hold up my own head. I was almost past caring. I felt so worthless after the rape that I thought, even if I died trying, I just had to escape. Later that day, I saw where Anthony had stashed my house keys, near the electricity meter. In my exhaustion, I began to form a plan. ‘Lets have a drink,’ I said to Anthony. Over the next few hours, I plied him with whiskey until he was slumped on the floor in a drunken stupor. Then, with every ounce of courage I could find, I grabbed my keys, fled the flat, and…

All for me? My 10-month-old son Ben looks a bit daunted by the pile of presents under the Christmas tree! Lucy Travell, Barnwood Littledeer Hands up, everyone who wants to be a reindeer?! My 5-year-old granddaughter can’t wait to help Santa! Cheryl Brazier, Birmingham Santa baby! As it’s her first Christmas, my 4-month-old daughter Georgia decided she should pose with her pressies before opening them! Gemma Hood, Kempston S-elfie? As you can see, my 5-month-old daughter Miley-Rose was happy to model for a few seasonal pics! Molly Seton, Heald Green Twinkle toes Getting into the festive groove Here's my boy William, 1, doing the jingle bell rock! Caroline Marsden, Nantwich MY CUTE BABY PIC What an adorable small Santa my 4-month-old son Jago makes - without the beard, of course!…

As the countdown began, me and my boyfriend Dean Pearce, then 29, got our party poppers ready. ‘Three…two…one… Happy New Year!’ I shouted, kissing him on the lips. We’d been dating for two years and had recently moved in together. Kind and loving, he was the perfect boyfriend. And now, as we welcomed in 2009 at a party with friends, I couldn’t wait to see what the new year had in store for us. Though months on, I realised it wasn’t what I’d imagined… I loved Dean to bits, but his drinking was starting to become a problem. Every Sunday, he’d guzzle around eight pints of beer in the local pub with friends. Then he’d stumble home drunk. Soon, he was drinking every night after work, too. And the more…

Staring at the positive pregnancy test, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I texted my partner Stephen at work. He called me immediately. ‘Wow!’ Stephen said, as surprised as I was… We already had three girls – Chenai, 9, Brooke, 6, and 3-year-old Alexis. But, in March 2014, we’d been devastated when our baby boy Louie had been born at 22 weeks. Weighing just 1lb, he’d been too small to survive. If not for our girls, I’d never have got out of bed again. That’s when I’d decided. No more kids – I didn’t want to risk the pain. Yet here we were in March 2015, and I was pregnant again. Thankfully, weeks passed, and all went well. As time rolled on, we told those close to us. ‘I’m so happy…

With one last coat of lipstick, I slipped on my high heels and picked up my handbag. ‘You’re shaking, Mum,’ said my daughter Jasmine. I was a bundle of nerves, but there really was no need. I was going on a first date, but John Nicholls wasn’t a stranger. We’d dated when I was 18. We’d been together for 12 months before our relationship fizzled out and we’d both gone on to meet other partners. I still heard of John, through relatives and mutual friends, but we’d only speak in passing. Then, in May 2005, my eldest child, Daniel, 15, was killed in a traffic accident. It was devastating, a living nightmare. Me and my two daughters, Sophie, now 20, and Jasmine, 17, struggled to cope with his death. Then,…

In the middle of a crowded restaurant, my partner Peter dropped to one knee, holding out a sparkling ring. ‘Will you marry me?’ he smiled. It was Valentine’s Day last year, and I’d had a sneaking suspicion he was about to propose. But I was still chuffed to bits. ‘Yes,’ I beamed. Peter, 58, and I had been together three years, and my three kids, aged 15, 13 and 9, thought he was great. That night, we celebrated, staying over at the hotel. Setting the date for October this year, we got swept up in planning our wedding – big church ceremony, honeymoon in Vegas, followed by a Caribbean cruise. Bliss! My days were always busy being a mum-of-three, and were now even busier with all the plans for the…

Boobs chafing Q My huge breasts chafe, and make me look fat. What are the risks of a reduction? Kelly, 33 A Scarring is the most common problem, though it'll fade. Your nipples might be left numb, and sometimes your breasts change shape. But most women are happy with the results! Talk to your surgeon. Party period Q I don't want my period over the party season! Can herbal angelica root or raspberry leaf tea stop it? Ellie, 24 A Herbal remedies are medically unproven. If you're taking the 21-day contraceptive Pill, you can stop your period by taking two packs without a break. Or ask your GP about hormone drugs such as norethisterone. This woman's muscles are turning to bone. Go to www.lifedeathprizes.com  and search ‘human statue'.…

Sitting at traffic lights waiting for them to turn green, I wasn’t even aware I was doing it… My wig had moved slightly, so I could get my fingers on the long, dark hair tucked behind my ear. Yank! As I pulled out a cluster of hairs, the release was immediate. Yet, at the same time, I knew it’d be short-lived, before the guilt kicked in. ‘Come on, lights,’ I groaned, knowing I wouldn’t stop pulling out strands until I needed both hands on the wheel. It was summer 2012, and I’d been pulling my hair out since I was 13. First it’d been my eyelashes, then my eyebrows and, finally, the hair on my head. I’d quickly ended up with a smattering of bald patches, and been picked on…

The problem for parents 1 You're thinking: ‘It feels almost impossible to start talking about internet safety. I can't find the right words, or the right time and place.' 2 You're feeling: ‘I should be talking to my child about online safety, but he's always tapping away on his phone. It's never the right moment - but I can't stop worrying about this.' 3 What you do: ‘From time to time I have a peek to see what he's looking at on his tablet but he obviously thinks I'm being nosy.' How CyberSense helps 1 The games will immediately help you to talk to your child and enable you both get to grips with internet safety. 2 You will feel relieved because you will both be able to have a…

My hubby Kevin, 56, tried to work his way around the huge piles of stamps strewn across the room. See, Christmas is a busy time in our house. I first came into contact with the Royal National Institute Of Blind People (RNIB) in 1990, when the video shop I worked for contributed to its charity fun day. I enjoyed it so much, I ran jumble sales to fundraise. Then I learned that selling used stamps could raise dosh! So I started peeling them off our mail, telling family to do the same. My first year netted the RNIB £150! Over the past 20 years, we've raised £100,000 from more than a million stamps. This year is mine and Kevin's 25th Christmas as a married couple, so we've decided to raise…

Before falling pregnant with your first baby, you think you know how it’ll go. Shopping for sleepsuits, dreaming of the future as you decorate the nursery. It was like that for me and my husband Brandon, 30. We were delighted when I fell pregnant in January 2014. ‘I think it’s a boy,’ I’d said. By my first scan at 17 weeks, I was bursting to find out if my intuition was correct. There was silence as the sonographer got to work. Was something wrong? But then, suddenly… ‘You’re having a boy!’ she said. We were so thrilled, I put any worries to the back of my mind. Until the following day, when my doctor called. ‘We saw something on your baby’s images that we’re concerned about,’ he said. ‘We’re referring…

Blimey! A lot went on in 2015… 1 Which popular website turned 10 this year? 2 Which term was not added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015? Awesomesauce Brain fart Hangry Twerk Fur baby 3 Mark Ronson had the biggest selling single of 2015. Name it. 4 Britain hosted the Rugby World Cup. Who won? 5 Which political party leader became an unlikely teen heartthrob? 6 Which British star picked up Best Actor at the Oscars? 7 Name the 2015 films from their taglines… a The park is open b Power. Fear. Family c Meet Stuart, Kevin and Bob 8 Princess Charlotte was born in May. What are her middle names? 9 The Spice Girls announced their reunion. Who won't be joining the…

He's checked it once and checked it twice and Santa has let us here at Chat know that you've all avoided the dreaded naughty list this year! So we've rustled up an extra-special festive pressie - £3,000 for one lucky reader! All you have to do to enter is add the final line to our limerick on the right. The entry that makes our Ed laugh the most will get the cash. So get rhyming! Fill in the coupon below and send it to Christmas Cash Comp, Chat Magazine, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU. Finish the limerick... There once was a fella in red, Who rode a sleigh overhead, Dropping off gifts to all the good kids,…

Stress buster! If you're swamped by the pile of pressies you have to wrap before Christmas, try my solution. Each year, I hold a gift-wrapping tea party for friends. They bring their paper, gifts, plus goodies to nibble… and we each donate some dosh to our favourite charity. It's fun - and practical! Do any other Chat readers have stress-busting ideas? Stephanie Thomas, Denbigh Pole position So impressed by 61-year-old Kathryn Ladlow’s pole dancing (Golden p-oldie!, 1 Oct issue). I’m 20 years younger and never thought to try it. Kathryn’s really fit and doesn’t look her age. I’m joining a class immediately… Well, right after Christmas! Eleri Webber, Little Neston Scrooged! We had to laugh when we spotted the message on these oven gloves. I suppose it’s the festive season…

Arm held up and out at a 45-degree angle? Then you’re all set for a winning selfie… We think this selection perfectly captures some of your greatest moments of this year. Best gift ever! This selfie told the world that I'm expecting a girl! I was five-and-half months pregnant then, and I'm due in February. Can't wait! Donna Gray, Cleveland Special delivery… I became a mum in June when my gorgeous baby Abigail was born - and I feel so lucky! Lottie Lee, Sheffield The magic of Mickey! Born with an immune disorder, my son Sam, 7, is so brave. Now he's counting down to a trip to Disney World, Florida, kindly funded by the charity Caudwell Children. No wonder he's all smiles! Louise Merrick, Waterlooville Mini-moon We missed our…

How to claim... • Go to chatmagbingo.com, join with £10 with code CHATG50HOL • Get £35 to play bingo and more • You’ll be entered into our PRIZE DRAW to win a £1,000 holiday gift card! And, like our other lucky holiday winners, you could be off on the trip of your choice Terms and conditions: *18+ UK only. Registration required. New members only. Minimum £10 deposit. Welcome bonus: You must accept the welcome bonus when you deposit £10 to receive £25 bonus play. 250% welcome bonus - max £100. Bonus must be wagered four times before withdrawals (including, but not limited to, any cash winnings or deposits related to the applicable bonus) from your member account. Wager and cash out requirements apply. The welcome bonus will expire within 30…

Reaching the top of the stairs, I struggled to catch my breath. I’d had pneumonia four months before, in February 2009. Since then, I’d been short of breath, and my breathing was wheezy and tight. I had tests at Fairfield General Hospital, but they all came back clear. So I just battled on. ‘I sound like Darth Vader,’ I’d say to my boys Lewis, now 22, and Luke, 19. My breathing just got worse. Bending down to pick something up would leave me gasping for air. I could barely finish a sentence in one breath. ‘I feel like I’m suffocating,’ I told my GP. Picking up on a crack in my breathing, he sent me for lung scans. Weeks later, in January 2012, I got my results. I had a…

EastEnders Secret unlocked Stacey discovers the meaning of the mysterious key… And realises that her life is never going to be the same again! Plus, Mick’s reeling when Linda says she can’t go through with the wedding. Next week... Kat and Alfie are back…but why and for how long? Plus, will Vincent leave after telling Claudette he's a police informant? Emmerdale Seasonal proposal Harriet puts Ashley on the spot by proposing during the carol service. Plus, Emma and Debbie are busy shouting while Sarah’s left alone to watch baby Moses in the bath. Next week... Belle walks in on Zak and Joanie kissing. Plus, Aaron comes face to face with dad Gordon and Vanessa brings baby Johnny home. Hollyoaks Killer instinct Lindsey’s mad when Joe asks her to move out…

Serves: 6 Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min 300g Madeira cake, cut into cubes 6tbsp amaretto 550g plums, stoned and cut into wedges ½tsp ground cinnamon 50g caster sugar 50g crystallised ginger, finely chopped 500g 2% Greek yogurt 25g amaretti biscuits, crushed 1 Divide cake between six individual glasses and drizzle over amaretto. 2 Heat plums, cinnamon and sugar in a large frying pan, cooking gently for 10 min until soft. Cool completely, then spoon over cake. 3 Mix ginger, reserving 1tbsp, into yogurt and spoon over plums. 4 Chill until ready to serve, and then scatter with reserved ginger and biscuits to serve.…

Can you honestly say you know everything about your child’s online activity? It’s a tough call, especially when so many of our kids are using smartphones or tablets in their rooms. Even if you’ve made sure their computer is in a safe family space, like the sitting room or kitchen, it’s all too easy to be unaware of what they’re up to on the internet. With so many stories about cyberbullying and sexting flying around the media, it’s vital that our kids know how important it is to behave responsibly online – and how to keep themselves safe from dodgy ‘friends’. But bringing up the subject can be tough – especially when you know your child will only groan and tell you to stop worrying. Plus warning them about difficult…

Ladies and gentlemen, as we start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their upright positions... And with that routine announcement from the cabin crew, the Airbus 320 began its descent into Manchester Airport. Within a few minutes, the plane would land on time, at 1.30pm on Friday 13 June 2014. A routine end to a routine commercial flight. The plane descended to 3,500ft over the town of Macclesfield, 14 miles from the Manchester runway. Flying conditions were good, with at least six miles of visibility. Suddenly, the pilot and first officer radioed Air Traffic Control. They’d seen a man. He’d come out of nowhere, in the clear blue skies in front of the plane’s nose. In the 11 o’clock position, 200ft above them.…

I ’ve always been a creative type. I love building things, seeing my designs come to life. So in December last year, I decided to start a new project. My wife Susan had passed away from throat cancer in 2010. The same year, I’d been diagnosed with leukaemia. It’d been a tough time. So when last Christmas rolled around, I wanted to lift everyone’s spirits. Digging out Susan’s old mobility scooter, I decided to spruce it up. Decorating it with fairy lights, I even attached a red and white roof. Next, I dug out a portable CD player and a disc of Christmas tunes. ‘I’m going to spread festive cheer and raise money for charity,’ I told my daughter Terasa, 41. She thought it was a brilliant idea. So, throughout…