By Andy Whelan



Fur Queen and country: Her Majesty was all wrapped up as she attended the traditional Christmas service at Sandringham


At 84, no one would really expect the Queen to be a fashion icon.

But as she attended the traditional Christmas Day service at Sandringham, she was the picture of stylish elegance in co-ordinated fur hat and fur-trimmed coat.

The ‘Snow Queen’ look was completed with ultra-fashionable high-heeled boots, a chic white scarf and clasp, and black designer handbag.

She certainly turned heads among the 1,000 well-wishers who had gathered on the Norfolk estate, while her look also seemed to inspire the Duchess of Cornwall, who attended the service at St Mary Magdalene Church in similar Dr Zhivago-style headgear – but a much bigger version.


The Royal party also included the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, the Duke of York and his daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

Observers say they could not remember so few Royals attending the Christmas Day service.

Princess Anne was notably absent, although her son Peter Phillips and wife Autumn are expecting their baby – the Queen’s first great-grandchild – any day now. Buckingham Palace also announced the engagement this week of Peter’s sister, Zara, to rugby star Mike Tindall.


Family affair: Her Majesty with granddaughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie


Sister Act: Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice looked cheerful and stylish as they arrived at the Sandringham church


Prince William was absent as he volunteered to work at RAF Valley on Christmas Day.

The Duke of Edinburgh decided to walk the quarter-mile from Sandringham House to the church with Prince Harry, while the Queen arrived by car. After the service, she was presented with photographs and flowers by local schoolchildren.

The Queen chose sport as the theme for her televised Christmas Day message, describing how it can teach values such as honesty, respect and a sense of community.

She said: ‘Apart from developing physical fitness, sport and games can also teach vital social skills. None can be enjoyed without abiding by the rules, and no team can hope to succeed without co-oper­ation between the players.


Snowy stroll: The Duchess of Cornwall linked arms with husband Prince Charles as they walked to the church with Prince Harry and the Duke of Edinburgh


‘This sort of positive team spirit can benefit communities, companies and enterprises of all kinds.’

But there was no mention of the forthcoming wedding of Prince ­William and Kate Middleton in the speech, which was filmed at Hampton Court Palace for the first time, rather than at Buckingham Palace.


Furry Christmas: The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall leave the church with Prince Philip - but many of the Royals were absent from the service



Source:Dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter



In the party mood: The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger overdoes the fake tan of a night out in London


Her love of fake tanning has been well documented since she stripped off in the tanning booth in the first episode of The Only Way Is Essex.

But with so much experience in honing a faux glow, you'd think Lauren Goodger would have got the hang of it by now.

The Essex socialite, 24, went a bit heavy handed on the spray tan as she enjoyed a Christmas bar crawl around London last night.


Wearing a strapless red dress and black high heels, it looked like Goodger was hoping to show off her dark tan to full affect.

Goodger started the night off at Nu Bar in Loughton, Essex, before travelling into central London for drinks with some of her The Only Way Is Essex castmembers and crew at Bar Soho.

She finally emerged from Bar Soho on Old Compton Street at 1am before moving on to the Runway Club on New Oxford Street.


Mwah! Goodger appears to love the paparazzi attention as she walks from one bar to another


Having listed her favourite things as 'white wine, champagne, vodka, spending money, holidays and being photographed', it looked like she managed to score five out of six last night.

And in a clear signal she was over her ex-boyfriend Mark Wright, the reality TV star flirted up a storm with some young male companions.

Goodger and Wright, 23, ended their nine year on/off relationship in June, but their frequent arguments have become a regular feature in The Only Way Is Essex.


New friends Lauren was flirting up a storm with some young men at the bar


Although Wright is now dating fashion designer Lucy Mecklenburgh, viewers saw Goodger confess she was still sleeping with her ex in the series finale.

In an interview this week with Zoo magazine, Mecklenburgh, 19, admitted she hated Goodger.

She said: 'I hate her. There’s a scoop for you. Everything you saw [in the show] was completely genuine.

'I don’t think she’s a very nice person and I found her very intimidating.


Mark who?: Goodger greets another male admirer


'Maybe she’s just insecure. I think she’s like that because she knows I’m what Mark likes. I’m dark and slim, whereas she’s not dark and not, er…'

Also at last night's bar crawl was Wright's best friend, wedding singer James 'Arg' Argent and his girlfriend Lydia Bright.

Fans of the show saw long-term lovers Arg and Lydia reunite in episode eight after splitting over the summer.


Three's a crowd: Goodger was joined on the bar crawl by The Only Way Is Essex co-stars James 'Arg' Argent and his girlfriend Lydia Bright



Source:Dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter



'Fabulous' marriage: Iman says David Bowie still gets down on one knee to tie her shoelaces


David Bowie is such a doting husband he even ties his wife's shoelaces.

Supermodel Iman has revealed how the 63-year-old rock star gets down on bended knees to tend to her every need.

'My marriage is exactly as fabulous as you all would think,' she grinned.


Iman, 55, gushed about her husband of 18 years during an appearance on Nate Berkus' US chat show.

The fashionista told Berkus how Bowie educates her because he is 'interested in everything'.

'He's fun, he's a really very curious man and so I really learn a lot from him,' she said.

Iman nodded as the chat show host painted a picture of the perfect husband and suggested that Bowie probably protects her from getting splashed in the rain.


Is she joking? he supermodel laughed with chatshow host Nate Berkus


'He still ties my shoes for me,' she added, causing Berkus to groan in jest.

Iman and Bowie wed on April 4 1992 and have a 10-year-old daughter. Alexandria Zahra Jones.

Iman is also stepmother to Duncan Jones, Bowie son from a previous marriage.
The couple split their time between London and New York.


Still devoted: Iman with her husband David Bowie



Source:Dailymail

By Maysa Rawi



Weighty issue: Allie Crandell models a black leather dress by BCBG on the Revolve website, but has been banned after readers complained she was too thin


The City star Allie Crandell has been banned from a popular American fashion retailer after readers complained about her skinny frame.

Revolve clothing featured Crandell on their online boutique looking painfully thin as she models a collection by BCBG Max Azria.

One image in particular showing her tiny waist and arms sparked outrage among shoppers.


One shopper wrote: 'As a normal, healthy woman with a healthy body type. How can I possibly imagine what this dress would look like on me when it is shown on an emaciated frame?'

Revolve have promised not to feature Crandell on their site until she puts on weight.

The spokesperson said: 'We are working closely with both the model and her agent to get her to a healthier size.


Painfully thin: Allie has attracted attention in the past over her weight while she was on American show The City


Doll-sized: Revolve have said they are working with both the model and her agent to get her to a healthier size


'She won't be appearing in any of our new product batches or in any of our fashion editorial photos moving forward until the issue is adequately addressed.

'We have been attempting to respect the privacy of the model in question while dealing with the issue on our end.'

In 2008, Crandell became a part of the MTV reality show The City.

In one episode, fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone accused her of being too thin before the model goes on to defend herself by insisting she eats healthily.

Although she played a major role in the first season, she has only appeared twice in the second half.

She also starred in Shayne Ward's 2006 No Promises video.

Crandell confirmed via her personal Twitter account that she will no longer be appearing on the show, stating, 'I'm done with the City forever.'



Source:Dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter



The thigh's the limit: Ciara wore a pair of studded Christian Louboutin boots to watch the New York Knicks take on Oklahoma City Thunder


Thigh-high studded boots aren't the usual footwear worn to basketball games, but Ciara was clearly determined to stand out from the crowd last night.

The 25-year-old singer wore a sexy pair of Christian Louboutin boots as she sat in the front row and watched the New York Knicks take on Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden.


Ciara teamed the stunning boots with a pair of black leggings, a white vest top and red leather jacket as she watched the match, accessorising the outfit with a pair of sunglasses.


The R&B star, who duetted with Justin Timberlake on single Love Sex Magic in 2009 is a huge fan of thigh-high boots, having worn them to various events including the Betsey Johnson fashion show during New York Fashion Week in September.

Also watching the game were celebrities including Chris Brown, Padma Lakshmi, tennis star John McEnroe, Whoopi Goldberg and rapper Fabolous.

Ciara has been working hard to promote her new record Basic Instinct, her fourth studio album.

And while her last album Fantasy Ride didn't do too well on the charts, Ciara is hoping to return to her former success with the new record.

She said: 'Even though Fantasy Ride didn’t sell as much records as all my other albums, you have to recognize the time that we’re in. We’re in a time where records don’t perform as strong as they used to.

'However, I’m very proud of that album … but creatively, I wanted to go back and throw my sneakers back on. The inspiration was really about taking it back to basics, to where I first started. I wanted to make sure my core, core fans got to connect with me. But it doesn’t mean Fantasy Ride was wrong, or it wasn’t good.'

As well as focusing on her own music career, Ciara is also keen to help close friend Kim Kardashian break into the industry with her debut record.


Catching the match: Chris Brown (left) and rapper Fabolous watch the action


Daddy and me: Tennis star John McEnroe sits with his daughter at the game


She said: 'I told her if she needs me, I’m here. She really, really is fascinated with the music video process and stuff like that. She’s a very, very glamorous girl.

'She really loves that whole idea, and so she joked about it like, "I wanna shoot a music video, but I don’t want people to take it too serious. I would like to have fun with it".'

Talking about the style of music Kim will be releasing, Ciara said: 'I know that she recorded, but it's under lock and key what they're doing.

'I think she's gonna have a little pop and I think a little attitude. She's a girly girl kind of girl too, but she still has attitude. I think it's gonna be all that in her music.'


Taking in the action: Whoopi Goldberg and Padma Lakshmi were also there



Source:Dailymail

By Sarah Fitzmaurice



High profile guests: David and Victoria Beckham attend Gordon Ramsay's Christmas party at the chef's south London home alongside former Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Gavin and Stacey star James Corden


Take one celebrity chef, one football superstar, two Spice girls, add a chubby comic and sprinkle with glitz and glamour to create a Ramsay-style Christmas dinner.

Gordon Ramsay put his recent worries aside to host a glitzy dinner party last night with the likes of David and Victoria Beckham, James Corden and Emma Bunton in attendance.

The Michelin starred chef invited the high-profile guests to his Wandsworth, South London home for his annual Christmas bash.


Dressing up: Victoria opted for a black and orange fur jacket while David opted for an English heritage look complete with a brown cravat in his top pocket. Cruz rugged up against the elements with a Christmas hat


David Beckham drove his wife and sons to the party but tellingly it was Victoria who took the car keys when heading home.

The former Spice Girls star braved the cold in a black and brown fur coat while David dressed smartly for the occasion in an English heritage jacket complete with a brown cravat.

And although the group has had their fair share of ups and downs this year there was plenty to celebrate with David’s recent Sports Personality of the Year Lifetime achievement award and two couples expecting babies in the New Year.


Bearing gifts..and handbags: Emma Bunton and boyfriend Jade Jones joined in on the festive fun


Helping hand: Jade offers his pregnant girlfriend support. Emma is expecting her second child in Spring


Baby Spice Emma joined her former bandmate Victoria alongside long term boyfriend Jade Jones.

The singer, who is pregnant with her second child, looked chic in a black coat with fur trim, a patent Mulberry Bayswater handbag, adding a splash of colour with hot pink heels.

Jade, who is a chef who has worked at Claridges where Ramsay has his restaurant, offering Emma a helping hand as they got out of the car.

Funny man Corden brought some humour to the group and was joined by his pregnant girlfriend Julia Carey.


Posh presents: James Corden arrives with girlfriend Julia Carey carrying two Mark Jacobs gift bags


The Gavin and Stacey star also brought gifts clutching two Marc Jacobs bags and cards as he arrived at the house.


Tana greeted guests from the front door with an f-word quote, taken from Ramsay’s kitchen nightmares, alluding the chef’s fiery temper and bad language.

But behind the Christmas decorations and festive celebrations it has been a testing year for the Ramsays.

The couple experienced considerable strain on their marriage after Gordon sacked Chris Hutcheson, Tana’s father, in October.

Mr Hutcheson, 62, is suing the celebrity chef for £2million, seeking damages for unfair dismissal after being sacked as CEO of Gordon Ramsay holdings.

His financial nightmares continue as he it emerged earlier this month that he is facing being sued for more then £1million for failing to carry out a speaking tour in New Zealand.

The Beckhams have also had a trying time this year as new allegations were made in a U.S. magazine claiming he slept with a prostitute.

David has denied the claims and is suing the magazine.

The group put their worries aside to enjoy the festive bash and spirits will most certainly have been lifted by the newest member of their fold.

The Beckhams and the Ramsays have been firm friends for many years and Victoria and Emma go back to their spice girl days.

But recently comedian Corden has become a regular addition, becoming particularly close to David.

The LA Galaxy star was the recipient of one of Marc Jacobs gift bags the TV star brought to the party.


Best friends: Corden left minus his giftbags and Beckham appeared to be one of the recipients


Taking the wheel: Although David drove to the party, Victoria took the keys on the way back home



Source:Dailymail

By Sarah Bull



Traumatised: Samantha Womack, who plays Ronnie Branning in EastEnders, said filming the soap's coat death scenes was incredibly harrowing


EastEnders star Samantha Womack has revealed filming the soap's harrowing cot death scenes was 'the most horrific four weeks of my life'.

The actress, who plays Ronnie Branning in the BBC show, was left traumatised after shooting the scenes which see her character discover her newborn son James laying lifeless his cot next week.

And mother-of-two Womack said she found it incredibly difficult to leave the storyline at work when she finished filming every day.


She said: 'I couldn't stop crying when we were filming the scenes where Ronnie finds her dead baby. I couldn't switch off when I returned home every day.

'What Ronnie has been through is such a crushingly awful thing to even pretend might happen to you. I actually felt ill having to portray it.

'We used an expensive silicone doll, and it was so lifelike it upset a lot of people on set. We had to stop and take a break because it was too much.'


Devastated: Ronnie is seen left completely devastated after discovering her baby Jack has died (file picture)


Realising her son is dead, Ronnie is seen desperately asking the baby: 'Are you cold? Are you cold? I will get you a blanket... Open your eyes wake up.. Daddy's coming home soon.'


She is then seen wandering around Albert Square clutching her baby's lifeless body which is covered in a blanket before going to the Queen Vic pub where she goes upstairs and swaps his body with Kat Moon's newborn baby Tommy after hearing him crying.

Talking about the shocking switch, Womack told Inside Soap magazine: 'The abduction comes from a place of complete confusion.

'She hears Tommy crying and can't separate truth from fiction.'

The scenes, which will be shown on the New Year's episode of EastEnders, are likely to cause controversy among fans, and Womack admits she is concerned about the response the show will receive.

She said: 'I love EastEnders and the fans enjoy it because it's hardcore and bleak at times. But I also worry because this is such a traumatic storyline.

'New Year can be a difficult time for some people, so I really hope this is taken in the spirit in which it's intended - which is about producing dramatic television.

'I've watched the episode where baby James dies and it really is very powerful with strong performances from everyone.

'Producers are happy with it - I just hope it doesn't upset viewers.'



Source:Dailymail