Daily Post

A Graphic Look at the Life of Bryn ; Gareth Bicknell On a Show That Draws Inspiration From a Host of Celebrities

PRESIDENT George W Bush is not known for his mastery of the English language,much less his command of Welsh. But the world's most powerful man has been brushing up on his Cymraeg for an appearance on Welsh language satirical show Cnex.

At One with Nature ; Sun On My Back

AGOOD indicator that winter has finally arrived is the sight of the Redwing feeding off the garden bird table. This shy Scandinavian thrush is usually seen on moor land but comes to eat the oats and grain put out for the robins and sparrows as the winter bites. Another good sign was that my fingers nearly dropped off with the cold as I whizzed down the path on my bike for a quick circuit of the village. I returned home for gloves and headed for the woods of Coed Meurig on the western side of ...

Comic Simon Grows Up Fast ; Wil Marlow On Why Simon Day Had the Last Laugh with Bullies I Always Say the More Success I've Had the Less I Feel I Have to 'Perform' All the Time

WHEN former Fast Show star Simon Day was growing up he used to play the comedian constantly."Ialways liked to be the centre of attention,"he recalls. "And I would do anything to make people laugh. I went to quite a tough secondary school so I'd try and be funny to stop getting bullied. Did it work?Yes and no," he laughs. These days Day,41,is only the comedian when he's working.

Count On Carol to Come Clean ; Countdown's Finest Tells Nell Raven About Her Life and Her Latest Detox Book

TV PRESENTERCarol Vorderman certainly knows how to use her natural blessings of brains and beauty to their full advantage. The Countdown hostess has been virtually unstoppable ever since 1982 when her mother spotted an advertisement in the local newspaper for an attractive,intelligent TV presenter. The 43-year- old has carved out a niche for herself as the quintessential thinking man's crumpet and is now one of the highest- paid women in British television, having earned an estimated pounds 4...

Down On the Waterfront ; Georgian Apartment has Interesting Features

DEVA House enjoys a splendid position close to the water's edge of the River Dee. The Gradell listed building contains three attractive apartments with Number 1 now being offered at pounds 425,000. This property occupies the ground floor slot with sole use of the prinicipal entrance.

On the Bright Side ; Cheryl Burquest Reveals How Not to Be in the Shade This Spring

FORGET dull and dreary this winter and brighten up your days with somecolour. This spring, bright hues are going to be huge in the stores so cast aside all your black,brown and grey clothes and make way for emerald green and tropical shades of pink and yellow.

How to Make All the Right Moves ; Buying a House Needn't Be a Nightmare,As Ed Carty Reveals

THERE'S nothing like a new year to spur people on to make major life changes. Buying or selling property is certainly one of those. Property programmes may pack the TV schedules,but the housing market is no picnic; in fact, some say only death and divorce are more stressful than moving home, whether you'rejust stepping on to the property ladder or upgrading to a bigger place.

Inspired by a True Master ; Graham Tinsley Follows in the Footsteps of Anton Mosimann

NOW that the festive party season is over and that we chef's can come up for air,I am delighted to be able to resume my regular Saturday slot. I hope that Christmas 2003 was enjoyable and that Santa was his usually generous self. Our Santa obviously has a great sense of humour and a talent for surprising me with the most unusual and adrenal in -generatingpresents.

It Is a Unique Relationship Because It Is Such a Weird One ; Linda Barker Discusses Changing Fortunes with Wil Marlow

LINDA Barker was a business woman before she was a TV personality, working as a self-employed designer,and these days that side of her is never more apparent. Sitting in the comfortable surroundings of Notting Grill, the London restaurant of her friend Antony Worrall Thompson,Barker looks relaxed after a meeting with the licensees of her recently launched mail order catalogue Really Linda Barker.

Live in Luxury ; Gareth Bicknell Predicts Some Frantic Bidding When This Stunning Home Goes Under the Hammer

GOING,going,gone. Sold to the lady and gentleman looking for a new family home within a walk of the beach,in one of the most beautiful areas of the North Wales coast. The successful bidders will have a right to feel smug when the hammer comes down on lot five at the Deganwy Castle Hotel in March. Lavenham,a luxurious detached home with unusual architecture, sits in a leafy suburban setting in Gannock Park West,one of the most sought-after neighbourhoods in Deganwy.

Look On the Bright Side

FORGET dull and dreary this winter and brighten up your days with some colour. This spring,bright hues are going to be huge in the stores so cast aside all your black,brown and grey clothes and make way for emerald green and tropical shades of pink and yellow. Fans of Ralph Lauren will be surprised to find that his clothes,normally in neutral navy,black and white,have taken on a brighter feel with lime green dresses, turquoise trousers and canary yellow suits.

Plough Turns Over a New Leaf ; Test Gareth Hughes at Plough Inn,Llandegla

THE last time my wife and I went to the Plough Inn, Llandegla it proved OK -nothing more,nothing less -with decent food and pleasant service,but the place was somewhat dark and uninviting. If I remember rightly, we were the only diners that evening. In other words,not one of the most memorable Taste Tests. So why return so soon when there are still places in North East Wales on our "must try" list?The simple reason is that the Plough is now part of Lloyds Hotels group which,in the past couple...

Question Time ... 10 to Test Your Tv Knowledge

1Which British actress,making her debut in ER on Channel 4 this week, is best known for her film role in Bend It Like Beckham? 2South London wide boy Billy Bleach, creation of funny man Simon Day, is starring in his own BBC2 series,this week. Which cult sketch show did the character first appear?

Rebel Inside ; Anthony Hopkins Isn't One to Fear Controversy. Robin Walker Discovers How His Latest Role Mirrors His Own Colourful Life

IT looks like art is imitating life in Sir Anthony Hopkins's latest film, with more than a few parallels between the character he plays and his own high-profile rise to stardom. The Human Stain,based on the novel by Philip Roth, is a film about second chances. In it,he plays a respected New England professor who is accused of racism and walks away to begin life again, finding passionate love with a young woman,played by Nicole Kidman,along the way.

Soapbox ... ; (Week Beginning Monday,January 19)

NEIGHBOURS (BBC1) Izzy and Karl agree to keep each other's secrets,but while he continues his illicit drinking, she resolves to end things with Jack once and for all. Susan catches her husband boozing. . EASTENDERS(BBC1) Sharon is devastated by the loss of the club, and harbours suspicions that Vicki was behind it. Billy and Sam keep their cool when questioned by police, turning the spotlight on Sharon,before she receives bad news.

So What If Beryl the Peril has a Mobile Phone, That's Progress, Isn't It?

'M always cock-a-hoop whenI see my dear friend Tania walk through the pub door on Saturday night as by that time I've had just about as much as I can take of angle beads and pink finish.Don't get me wrong. I don't mind men's company -prefer it in fact -but it gets a bit much when you're the only person with lumps in your jumper in the entire pub. You would imagine that having spent his whole week,plus most of the weekend, surrounded by plaster boards and trowels that my beloved would be only ...

The Great Wall Cover Up ; Gabrielle Fagan Finds Out That Walls Are All Wrapped Up

WALLShavebeen painted, plastered, polished and given every sort of colour wash but now even former devotees of the barest walls are waking up to the great cover up. Wallpaper,in other words, is back in fashion and after along time in the shadows has re-emerged revitalised by new techniques and innovative designs.

The Sweet Smell of Success ; This Gold Pot Sold for Pounds 37,000.Christopher Proudlove Explains Why

FEELING low?Try this recipe for an Alexipharmac Draught, a 17th century pick-me-up."Take Alexiterial milk water, threeounces; epidemial,compound piony water, syrup of gilly flowers, syrup of saffron,each two drams; diascordium, two scruples; Goa Stone,one scruple,and mix. "In suspicious,ill condition'd fevers,it raises and supports the drooping spirits, resists malignity,drives it out from the centre to the circumference,and provokes sweet. It may be given every six or eight hours,according a...

Deal of the Week

MANY British families bound for the States book tickets for theme parks and attractions before they go -to reduce hassle when they get there and to lock into a cheaper price. This year,currency movements make arguments for advance booking a bit trickier. If the pound keeps getting stronger against the dollar,it pays to wait as long as possible-but the current rate of 1.85 is already generous. Those who delay could end up paying more.

Late Breaks

UK/IRELAND WALES: Hoseasons (0870 9009011)offers seven nights' self-catering at a three-bedroomed lodge in Montgomery,Mid Wales, for total pounds 245from Jan 31, with Welsh Mountains,Dovey Valley and Cardigan Bay all close by. YORKSHIRE: Hoseasons (0870900 9011)offers seven nights' accommodation in bungalow sleeping six at Cawood Holiday Park,near Selby for total pounds 290,from Jan 31.