1 hour ago The Christmas that went wrong: I met my new girlfriend’s family – and talk turned to my book on masturbation

My partner’s family knew I was writing about self-discovery and self-pleasure, but I wasn’t prepared for where the discussion would take usI flew from London to New York on Christmas Eve 2014 to spend Christmas Day with Cassie’s family. It’s the sort of thing you’re supposed to do when you’ve been going out with someone for 10 years, but I’d only known Cassie a few months. She came out to her father about dating me and it didn’t go down well. Then, a few weeks later, she told him over a family dinner that I was writing a book about masturbation. Her sister and mother took her aside in the kitchen afterwards. “Why didn’t you just tell him she’s writing a book on travel, or something?” her sister asked.Spending Christmas Day together was supposed to smooth things over, but no sooner had we sat down to eat than her father asked me about what I was writing. Maybe he thought I’d changed my mind, and gone for something a bit more Downton Abbey? Cassie’s sister looked at me intently, darin...

Politics

2 hours ago Christmas hosts urged to do one cleaning task before the big day or regret it

New research found that Brits spend an average of four and a half hours cleaning their homes ready for Christmas day, with just under half saying this was to prepare for guests

Politics

2 hours ago These people are all working on Christmas Day to keep the rest of us safe

Many will be sacrificing their own celebrations on December 25 to make sure the rest of us can enjoy ours

Politics

4 hours ago Met Office's Christmas Day weather verdict with conditions expected to be 'double' average

Conditions are expected to improve after a "perfect storm" of adverse weather conditions and road congestion led to widespread disruption during the Christmas getaway

Society

4 hours ago UK will be HOTTER than a Greek island on Christmas Day: Weather map reveals where Britons will get to bask in double

The mercury could reach as high as 13C in parts of the UK on Wednesday, making it hotter than the Greek island, as well as Rome and Istanbul, which are all expected to reach 12C on that day.

Politics

4 hours ago 'I made roast potatoes in the air fryer using tinned spuds and they were the perfect Christmas snack'

Roast potatoes are a must-have on Christmas Day - but who says you can't eat them as a snack too?

Politics

5 hours ago Christmas crime wave as almost 700 shoplifting offences go unsolved every DAY, figures reveal

Nearly 700 shoplifting offences go unsolved every day, figures show, as shop staff face a Christmas crimewave.

Events

6 hours ago Superfan who ate Pot Noodles every day for 12 years transforms home into 'Pot Noodle paradise' for Christmas

Dean Pugh, 56, has eaten more than 4,700 pots of the popular snack during his lifetime and has spent over £4,000 on Pot Noodle memorabilia and he even used the tubs as Christmas decorations

Politics

6 hours ago Strictly champ Chris McCausland to address ableism in Channel 4 Christmas speech

Strictly Come Dancing winner Chris McCausland will deliver Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message on Christmas Day and call for an end to discrimination against disabled people

Politics