A Christmas letter from a child to their late father has been discovered in Scotland.

Leo Varadkar’s venture into the world of broadcasting as a DJ has sparked a war of words.

A St Stephen’s Day derby was always no less an integral part of my own festive ritual than the retelling of my dear old dad’s ancient joke about the kids doing show and tell in class after the Xmas holidays.

Colourful internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom and three of his colleagues can be extradited to the US to face criminal copyright charges, a New Zealand judge ruled. Dotcom’s lawyers said they will appeal against the decision.

Carrow Road might well be one of the most congenial away days of the season, but it felt as if the Gunners travelled to East Anglia expecting the Canaries to gift-wrap all three points as an early Xmas pressie.

FORTY FIVE years later, Castleisland’s Christmas basketball blitz in Kerry is still going strong. But getting stronger?

THE letterbox clanks. As is always the case, I gallop downstairs to see what the post brings. This, I think, is a feature of the self-employed. The lack of a buzzing office atmosphere means that the postman’s arrival is a big deal. What will today bring? Maybe I’ve finally won the million euro in the Prize Bonds?

During the downturn the German ’discounters’ were swooped upon by householders as a way of ’cutting your cloth’ but as the economy reignites the duo are making a play to keep discerning customers says Tommy Barker.

From the toe-tapping tunes in Peter Pan to Boyzone’s Keith Duffy as the Baddie in in Jack and the Beanstalk, we pick the best of the festive fun with Colette Sheridan

Charlie Sheen won't be spending Christmas with any of his children.

It looks like Niall Horan can't get home to Mullingar for Christmas.

Renowned TV chef, cook and cookbook author whose latest book is Rachel’s Everyday Kitchen.

Get the tissues out, this'll warm the cockles of your heart.

Julie Hesmondhalgh has promised 'Coronation Street' fans her exit from the soap won't be a "Christmas tear fest".

David Beckham met One Direction in Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

George Michael will release new music in 2013.

Christmas presents destined for sick children in an intensive care unit have been stolen from a hospital.

THE modern Christmas song is a curious thing.

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A bar in Britain that promised revellers the chance to party with “our very own Xmas midgets” acted offensively and irresponsibly, a watchdog has ruled.

PEACHES Geldof said she feels Paula Yates is watching over her after she revealed her baby is due on her late mother’s birthday.

Entertainment group HMV insisted today that it still has a future – despite reporting a further drop in sales in the run-up to Christmas.

George Michael had the “best Christmas” ever this year.

A sense of isolation was felt keenly by the Irish diaspora in the USA in the late 1800s whose sole means of communication was the letter home. Dan Buckley dips in to some of them

The legendary guitarist Slash is working full steam ahead in a Los Angeles studio until Christmas, laying down tracks for his second solo album, hoping to double the amount of songs he has already completed.

Sacha Parkinson has infuriated 'Coronation Street' bosses by revealing one of their festive secrets.

Almost four in 10 people are expecting to get into debt to meet the cost of Christmas this year.

EastEnders' Pat Butcher is to die of cancer over Christmas.

A SEVEN-POINT return from games at home to Chelsea and on the road at Wigan and Birmingham is not to be sneezed at.

Kelly Osbourne launched a foul-mouthed tirade against her ex-fiance on twitter today.

AWEEKEND without footie is like Sunday lunch without the spuds. Naturally I lapped up the meagre morsel of mashed swede mash from the Stadium of Light and & Ewood Park on Saturday.

DEAR Santy

AS Britain is left reeling from a fresh battering of wintry storms, bookmakers has reported record bets on a white Christmas.

I HAVE always spent Christmas at home with my family and neighbours.

'X Factor' detractors are hoping to scupper the hit ITV show with a campaign to get eccentric singer Wagner Carrilho to win.

A MAN who escaped from an open prison and taunted police about his life on the run was back behind bars yesterday.

FESTIVE greetings to you, dear reader – assuming you are a blessed Red, naturally. May any eavesdropping Scousers-Bitters-Rent Boys have a miserable New Year.

Lady Gaga has wished her fans a Merry Christmas.

IRREFUTABLE proof that I am getting both old and sad: more than once, whilst watching Sunday’s rather tedious 90 minutes, I found myself slyly turning on an earpiece-tranny combo to hear what Alan Green was blathering on about on the BBC’s commentary.

ON those rare occasions when the world seems to turn its gaze towards Manchester, we Mancs will seem to be wholly unconcerned.

AP: What’s your biggest fear for the forthcoming season for your club?