Christmas at - Clients Thisisthenortheast

12 December 2005http://clients.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/ne_monthlyWILL YOUNG, 26‘‘Christmas is always a funny time because I work right upto it, and then I’m normally ill on the day – I was last yearand the year before that. So I’m already planning on it. Idon’t know if I enjoy Christmas as much I used to, to behonest. I find it, I think, a bit of a bore. I like buying presentsfor people throughout the year rather than at a specific time. Ilike the parties, though, and the Christmas bumper edition ofEastEnders. The rest of it I can take or leave.’’JOHN INVERDALE, 48‘‘We have a verytraditional Christmas, andthen I try and find asporting event on BoxingDay, because it can often bethe dullest day on Earth. So, Ieither go racing at Kempton forthe King George or go and have afootball match or something, justto get out the house.’’DERMOT O’LEARY, 32‘‘We have a lovely routinewith my mum and dad andmy brother-in-law. Atbreakfast, we walk alongthe beach and then comeback. Then we cook dinnerfor the evening. It allnormally takes place at myparents’ house, but I’mgoing to spend it this yearwith my sisterin York. It’sbeautifulthere.’’christmasTONY CHRISTIE, 62“Christmas we’ll bespending here in theUK. My daughter willcome over with herkids from Belgium.And then I don’t know– you never can planahead in this business.I had arranged to goback to Spain at theend of my current tourback in April, but Inever got to go becauseit went mad withAmarillo and all.We’re finally gettingback in the middle ofOctober. I’m lookingforward to that.”Stars ofthe seasonChristmas comes but once a year, and when it does, it’s a time foreveryone to celebrate. But how do celebrities choose to mark theoccasion? Is it just a grand excuse to embark on a glitter-packedmarathon of making merry, or do they prefer to take the opportunity tocosy up for some quiet quality time with their loved ones?Our insider guide reveals allKARL DAVIES, 23(Emmerdale)“I’ll probably just be back inManchester hanging aroundwith my family and friendsfor Christmas, but in JanuaryI’m taking my mum to NewYork becauseshe lovestoshop. I thought we’dgo when all thesales are onotherwise we won’tbe able to afford tobuy anything.I’ve neverbeenbefore. Ican’twait.”JAY HUNT, 40(stylist in Would Like To Meet andSpendaholics)“I hate Christmas. I’m not a Christmasfan. It’s just not my favourite time ofyear at all. Easter, count me in forEaster. Lots of Easter eggs anddaffodils, I’m happy then.“But, for the festive season I go toour cottage in the Cotswolds, which isthe most perfect, almost jokily pretty,house. It makes even mefeel Christmassy. We dothe full Christmasdinner. My partner,Margot James, lovesthis time of year. Shecooks and I don’t. Andwe have her family andfriends over.”BRUCE FORSYTH, 77I’VE been celebrating Christmas for the last 20years in Puerto Rico, where my wife comes from.We love to get in the sun for the season. For thefirst couple of years it was a bit difficult because itdidn’t feel right to be warm at Christmas, but then youget to love it. The fact that you can go and play golf in 45degrees on Boxing Day – although they don’t havingBoxing Day there – that’s pretty good.“This year, because we’re doing a Christmas show forStrictly Come Dancing, we’re not going away because itwould be too much to try to prepare before we get there, sowe’ll head off after Christmas.”