The TV historian, 56, reflects on the debt he owes to his determined mother, the history of guns, and why the next series of The Celebrity Traitors should be just as good as the first one…

HOW DO WE CARVE OUT A LIFE THAT SUITS US – NOT SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS? ON ENTERING HER 40S, Poorna Bell DECIDED TO EXAMINE EVERYTHING SHE’D BEEN CONDITIONED TO BELIEVE AS A WOMAN… AND THEN DO IT DIFFERENTLY

I DON’T see reality in the way women of my age are commonly portrayed. The discrepancy is irritating.” For Danielle Barbereau, her frustration has taken the form of her debut novel “Grey Matters”, whi

Which childhood book sparked your love of reading? The Shoe Shop Bears by Margaret J Baker, now sadly out of print. It was the first book I bought with my own money. I was bored by picture books and w

Dear Simon, Once again, the December 2025 issue had lots of memories to write about. Starting from the front, Gertcha! – I did love Chas and Dave, as did my husband. Of course, the family always watch

Do you remember that park you used to take me to as a kid, the one with the red, boat-shaped climbing frame? It wasn’t too far from our home in Hull where we lived. You’d often sit on a bench chatting