Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight
SECRET TO A LONG LIFE?
Chocolate, bacon and porridge are the foods centenarians are crediting for their longevity in a new report asking some of the longest living people in the world for their habits.
Kane Tanaka, from Japan, who died last year aged 119, said alongside a weakness for fizzy drinks, playing board games and doing maths puzzles helped her reach a ripe old age. And Scotland’s oldest woman, Jane Gallan from Aberdeen, who died aged 109 in 2015, revealed her secret was plenty of porridge – but no men! “They’re just more trouble than they’re worth!” she noted.
A true professional
Put on the spot by chat show host Graham Norton, Dame Judi Dench showed us all, yet again, what makes her such a national treasure.
“If I poke you with a stick, can you just do a bit of Shakespeare for us?” he cheekily asked.
Cool as a cucumber, Dame Judi, who at 88 suffers from age-related macular degeneration, immediately rose to the impromptu challenge and delivered a spellbinding rendition of the bard’s Sonnet 29 from memory.
Watch the clip of Judi reciting Sonnet 29 on YouTube.
Judi’s new book, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent, is out now. Michael Joseph, £25.
THRIFTY GIFTING
Don’t feel guilty if you’re cutting back on your Christmas spending and regifting unwanted presents that you received last year.
In these straitened times, you won’t be alone, according to new research by American Express, which reveals that more than six million UK adults will be doing just that.
If you’re one of those regifters just be careful not to give presents back to the people who bought them originally to avoid causing offence. Wrap them nicely and remember that what goes around generally comes around.
Top priority spending for over half of the 11 million folk hosting festive gatherings this year will be on good food and drink. And guest entertainment needn’t cost anything as playing games, going for walks and watching TV were named as favourite pursuits.
A reluctant celeb
Made famous by Clarkson’s Farm, Kaleb Cooper (25) has proved that, despite becoming an unlikely celebrity, his welly-clad feet are still firmly on the ground. Revealing that he doesn’t like the word celebrity, he’s said: “I suppose I’m a farming ambassador. Young people are going into farming because of me – and I love that because without new blood, this industry will die.”
Fans may be heartened to hear that, despite their fallings out, he and Jeremy have become quite close. “Ther
