A Christmas that changed me: I was in no mood to celebrate. Then came an epiphany on Hampstead Heath
As I entered the final weeks of pregnancy, I didn’t want to wallow but nor could I summon any sparkle. On a walk with my family, I had a sudden sense of the ineffable
A Christmas that changed me: My family was grieving and behaving oddly – so my wife took us to Norfolk
After my mother’s death, I thought my American family would appreciate the escape of a British Christmas. But we learned that grief has long arms and singular patience
A Christmas that changed me: My love for the season was dwindling fast – but my Mum saved it
Last year, my mother’s sudden loss of vision made me despair. But I had underestimated her strength – and her determination that we would all have a good time
A Christmas that changed me: the miracle of my last months with my mother
As a family, we put more effort than usual into our celebrations that year, as Mum struggled with cancer. It taught me something indelible and important
A Christmas that changed me: at seven, I won a magical trip to Lapland with Chris Tarrant
We slept in log cabins, went ice fishing and found Santa, all of which was broadcast live. When the producers asked me to sing Silent Night, it was the start of my career
After my brother died, we barely celebrated Christmas. Then I fell in love and a switch turned on
Fifteen years after losing David, I was in Liverpool, appearing in pantomime. The city was glittering, romance was in the air, and I suddenly felt ready for the festivities
My sister was getting married, my father was in hospital – and I realised my relationship was over
I suddenly saw that life wasn’t all that long and you should spend it with people you love. I made a private pact with myself, to stop lying. I would not marry him
At six, I realised the truth about Santa. How deep did the lies go?
I had a lot of existential questions. What is death? What if the dead wake in their coffins? And who was going to deliver my presents: Santa, God or Rabindranath Tagore?
