Pipa: Two trips to A&E in a week!

Just to give you an update on the dramas in my home at the moment. In one week, two of us from a family of four have been to A&E!

My knocked nose on Tuesday began to swell quite alarmingly and by Wednesday, when I should have been preparing to come on air, I was watching my nose go rather purple instead. Good timing I figured! So off I went to A&E, thinking it may have been broken after all, only to discover the cut had got infected (nice!!).

“We’re just on our way to A&E," my husband called to tell me on Saturday, just half an hour before going on air! Oh joy of joys, just what I wanted to hear when I wasn't going home for another 7 hours or so!! Myles had been balancing on a basket and then fallen, right on the corner of the coffee table and cut his eye open. Thankfully he's OK now.

I hope that's the last of our A&E trips!

Love Pipa x

Charlie: Keeping warm in the winter

Hi guys,

How's the chilly weather treating you? I've always been proud of the fact that I cope well with the cold weather... or so I thought!   

I was lucky enough to take my family to Lapland to see Father Christmas a few years ago. It was an amazing experience and I even caught a glimpse of the magical Northern Lights! It was just amazing - there are no words to describe it. 

Being very cold in Lapland, we invested in some thermals. And these thermals made an appearance again for the first time in two years at a fireworks display!   

They're probably not the most attractive of attire to wear under your clothes, but boy, they really make a difference. I think it's fair to say that winter is here!

See you soon, and stay warm!

Charlie x

Julia on pilates and guest Marjoleine Brugman

It was great to be on air with pilates expert Marjoleine Brugman the other night - I was helping her to celebrate 10 years at QVC with her pilates equipment. She really has been an inspiration to me and she is such a kind person.

She even bought me flowers because I was her first ever host in the UK!! It was her 10th anniversary, shouldn't it have been the other way round?!

She also sent me a lovely email for my 15th anniversary show because she wasn't able to be here herself.

Pilates has really helped me stay strong and supple over the last ten years. For the show we brought in my son, Daniel, as the 'expert'. He has just qualified as a personal trainer and has now agreed to train me - let's hope the waist, that has thickened a little of late, will reappear soon.

Watch this space and I'll keep you updated on my progress!

Love Julia x

Jilly: My most embarrassing QVC moment

Hi everyone,

I hate to say it but I burped live on air! It just popped out and was so loud that all the camera men fell about laughing. My producer was giggling in my ear and asking, "Oh my God, you just burped didn't you?"

I tried to compose myself and addressed the audience by saying, "Do excuse me, I just hiccupped". I couldn't even bring myself to say the word burp on air.

It's only happened once in 15 years, and it was a long time ago, but I'm still embarrassed!

Hope that's put a smile on your face.

Love Jilly

X

Claire Sutton: My mummy's birthday

I had the most wonderful experience last week and thought I'd share it with you.

It was my mummy's birthday and she came to stay, bringing with her a special present from my brother Neil. Neil had taken a small piece of cine footage and had it converted onto DVD! 

It dated back from… well, let's just say we worked out I was 6, Neil was 8 and my eldest brother Mark was 10. So a little while ago! 

It was fabulous to see my mummy younger then than I am now, flirting outrageously with the camera and looking amazing in a bikini. 

Plus, the utter joy of seeing my Daddy 'come to life' was incredible. He died when I was 13-years-old so it was emotional but incredible! To see his moving image, his face, mouth and eyes so like mine, and to be able to share him with my own children was so very, very special.

We can't wait to transfer all the other footage. I just wish there was sound, but hey, you can't always have it all. I was just grateful to have that!

I'll be in touch soon.

Love Claire
X

Alison Keenan: My winter memories

Hi everyone, Alison here,

We didn't have much of a summer so let's pray for snow this winter!

One of my favourite things to do, if there's been a snowfall, is to get up really early and walk in the newly fallen snow before anyone else has touched it. I love the crunching sound it makes and the stillness in the air.

When the children were younger we'd get up first thing and attempt to make a snowman, and then go sledging in the field nearby. We didn't always have a sledge but tin trays were just as good!

I also love sitting in front of a roaring fire listening to music or reading a good book, with a glass of mulled wine in my hand.

How do you make the most of the colder months?

Love Alison
X

Charlie Brook: If I wasn't a presenter…

...I'd like to be a professional tennis player! No, not really. Maybe a harbour master or a fisherman.

I’ve always had a special connection with the sea. It goes back to my childhood holidays spent on the Isle of Wight. We stayed in a rumble tumble-down cottage a stone’s throw from the sea.

I spent my days fishing and rowing with my dad. We didn’t have the luxury of a motor cruiser, but our beloved rowing boat served us well.

When I was a teenager I was exploring in the shed and found an outboard motor. I helped restore the trusty rowing boat with the motor, and then we had the power!

Did anyone else spend their holidays on the Isle of Wight?

Love Charlie

Jill Franks on moving home

Hi QGossipers,

I'm exhausted - just moved in to a new house and spending most evenings unpacking boxes and making sure we've got everything we need in our new home.

We've had the removal men doing most of the hard work unpacking and they asked for a list of priorities. Most women would say the kitchen stuff and things for the bedrooms. Not me - mine were the tread machine and my wardrobe with my cherished handbags, shoes and outfits!

Claudia: What a week!

I have had such a hectic week! My little boy Blake has had an ear infection and has not been sleeping very well. So, Steven and I have been taking it in turns each night trying to pacify him.

It really breaks my heart to see him suffering because as a child I had terrible ear problems. It actually resulted in me losing my hearing in one ear, although a lot of that was to do with too many horse riding accidents. 

With a lot of TLC he’s on the mend and chatting away to us about his beloved Spider-Man.

Where can I get some great Spider-Man goodies for Blake this Christmas? Spider-Man’s not that popular at the moment but Blake is obsessed.

If you know of anything, do let me know.

I'll be in touch soon.

Love Claudia x

Simon on gardening, cameras and early starts

With half term over, together with a nasty sick bug that brought down the whole family, it’s nice to be back into the early morning routine! But having turned the clocks back, those early five o’clock starts do seem awfully dark and lonely.

It’s been nice to work with Kathy on a regular basis and have a bit of a catch up before The Morning Show starts. But I think my unshaven, un-showered, pre-show appearance has taken her aback a bit!

Jilly: My birthday weekend

Hi everyone,

Last weekend was my birthday, and I had a great time. It was on the Saturday and there I was at midnight with the crew singing 'Happy Birthday' when I had no make-up on!

We were about to launch the ybf Today's Special Value, and my 'before' shot was awful - I looked about 100! Whoever invented make-up is my saviour!

I hope you managed to get your hands on the Today's Special Value, it was such a fabulous collection and Stacey from ybf always puts her kits together beautifully.

Craig Rowe: Gearing up for Christmas!

Hello!

Hope you're well and enjoying the build-up to Christmas. Before I was at QVC I couldn't have imagined getting into the Christmas spirit so soon but I have to say I'm really enjoying it - the new studio, the new shows and I'm having loads of fun - hope you are too!

Over the last few weeks there's been lots going on and a few 'firsts' for me. I had my first Lime Tree Pantry show and loved every second of it! Harry and Marjorie are lovely and everything they bake is so scrummy - I only wish it could have been a 2-hour show so I could have had some more cakes! I'm still dying to try one of Marjorie's millionaire shortbreads. One? Who am I kidding? More like five!!

I also did my first fashion show, Modern Soul, which I absolutely loved. It was good to have Glen there too, I hope you enjoyed it if you tuned in.

Other than that, it's been great to get stuck into the Christmas shows especially as it means I get to see lots more of the gorgeous guests such as Anne, Beverley and Gill!

Glen answers your winter fashion questions

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your winter style questions. I've answered them all on my new blog - Glen's Style File. If you can't find your question today, don't panic, I'm popping more answers up tomorrow.

Oh, and keep an eye on the Style File for my top winter fashion tips coming soon. You'll find advice on coats, colours and more!

Love Glen x

Pipa: Thank goodness for Arnica

Earlier in the week in my hurry to do the school run, I slammed the boot of the car whilst forgetting to lean back and, yes you guessed it, the big heavy boot of the car came crashing down on the bridge of my nose!

It was a pure Tom and Jerry moment (although at that moment I didn’t find it funny)! I am convinced there really were stars floating around my head as the whole world went dark and I thought my nose had been spread from ear to ear. 

With what must have been a surge of adrenalin, I managed to pick up the children, get home, struggle through the front door, get to my bathroom and find my SBC Arnica. This I liberally and VERY tenderly applied!

Afterwards I sat there feeling very bruised and sorry for myself – but now all you can see is the cut. All I can say is thank goodness for Arnica!

Love Pipa x

Debbie: The temptations of presenting Thorntons chocolate

As a self-confessed chocoholic, I had a ball on Sunday in our Thorntons show. Our guest, Amanda Stearn, had to almost physically restrain me from scoffing the entire day's stock! Thorntons chocs definitely fall into the irresistible category.

The Thorntons show reminded me of a series I presented years ago for the BBC with Tom O'Connor (lovely man). We toured all over the country and I presented the out and about travelogue part of the show.

Kathy Tayler: If I wasn't a presenter...

... I'd love to be involved in medicine. It's a walk of life I've always been fascinated in, and I nearly studied to be a doctor at university. It's funny to think how things might have turned out, don't you think?

At the time I was competing in modern pentathlon at international level, and I wanted time to continue my athletics. That's why in the end I decided not to study medicine. Instead I chose to study physiology and biochemistry.

I still read all the medical articles in the press, and now my 17 year-old daughter, who's taking her A Levels this summer, is applying to read medicine next September. So there may still be a doctor in the family!

Dr. Olley has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?

Love Kathy x

Try on Glen's new Style File blog for size!

Hi, Glen here,

I wanted you QGossip folk to be the first to try out my new fashion blog.

It's called Style File and it's basically me talking fashion with other presenters, and keeping you up to date with fashion looks and trends.

Why not comment and tell me what you think? If you've got any ideas for the blog or fashion questions, I'd love to hear them.

Love,

Glen xx

Dale's top tip for preparing for Christmas

Hi everyone, Dale here,

How are your Christmas preparations coming along? We are in full Christmas swing here at QVC towers with many of the shows already presenting a wide range of gifts - there's something for everyone.

But don't stress too much about choosing the perfect gift because QVC have extended there 30-day money-back guarantee. You can now return products until 25th January, so it's great for anyone who wants to plan ahead.

This extension really enables you to make a purchase ahead of time and in the comfortable knowledge that a swap or refund will not be an issue when you buy from QVC.

I'd better go, I'm just popping out now to take some footage of the Thames with Sunday's TSV - make sure you tune in.

Happy Christmas shopping!

Love, Dale x

Jilly's Halloween fun and games

Hi everyone!

I love Halloween as it's a chance to have parties for the kids and dress up. We usually have some of the children's friends round and play party games. We've even been out for dinner with all of the kids dressed up in their costumes! Here's a snap of my children dressed up for Halloween, ready for trick or treating.

My favourite game is getting the kids into pairs, giving them two toilet rolls and it's the first pair to wrap each other up as Egyptian mummies that win! It's great fun.

We only trick or treat people we know, and last year we rang my sister's doorbell and she opened the door with a werewolf mask on! Everyone screamed (including me!), as we weren't expecting it!

What spooky fun do you get up to at Halloween? I'd love to hear all about it! Just leave me a comment below.

Love Jilly x

Dale's spooky story for Halloween

Hi everyone, since it's Halloween I thought I would share my spookiest story with you.

It happened way back in the '80s when I was an estate agent. I went round to value a beautiful old coach house and was welcomed in by a mum and her young son.

Over a cuppa I said how lucky they were to live in such a quirky old house. The little boy looked up from his sandwich and said, "Yeah it's great, except the ghost really annoys me!"

His mum looked embarrassed and told me that they had experienced something spooky in the house, but didn't talk about it for fear of people thinking they were strange. She went on to tell me about the time the kitchen stool moved of its own accord across the kitchen. I must admit, it gave me goose bumps!

Dale Franklin reveals his most embarrassing moments

Hi guys, Dale here,

Well, there have been far too many embarrassing moments to mention ranging from guests using profanities on air and scenery and guests falling over, to a kid's ball of jelly exploding in my face and countless embarrassing callers, usually after midnight.

There was also the time when Claudia Sylvester's stockings fell down during a show. I tried my hardest to carry on while she could hardly contain herself, laughing uncontrollably and looking like Nora Batty!

QVC UK's 15th Birthday tap dance

For anyone who missed it the first time round, here's the moment you all voted for - when Julia, Claire and Catherine tap-danced for your pleasure to celebrate QVC UK's 15th birthday. You go girls!

If you're having trouble seeing the video, click here.

Still having issues seeing video? Read technical help guide.

Guess the presenter revealed...

Hi everyone,

We had a very mixed bag of guesses this time, but we can reveal that the young presenter is... Catherine Huntley!

Here's another pic of her when she was younger sporting the same haircut as she has now!

  

Well done to everyone who got it right, you really do know your presenters! Keep your eyes peeled for more Guess the presenter coming soon.

Claire Sutton celebrates her 10th anniversary at QVC

Claire Sutton has been gracing our screens for 10 years and QGossip caught up with her as she celebrates her anniversary. Here she reminisces about her first ever show, her highlights and most embarrassing moments.


What was your first ever show like?

I remember my first show being about pop-up tents and I was so nervous; I didn't have a clue where the camera was! It was so new to me - I'd come from being a dancer to presenting.

Craig Rowe's simple pleasures

Hi everyone!

I love the fact that there are so many great things to do in life that don't cost a penny.

My favourite things to do are spending time with my sister and my beautiful niece. My sister and I have always been close and when the three of us get together we just have fun playing and talking. My niece loves it when I make her toys speak and when we invent silly games!

On a sunny morning I like to have a bowl of muesli whilst admiring the plants in my garden. Then I'll go for a walk in the park. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year, I love to see all the colours.

Things as simple as going for a coffee with a friend is such a nice way to spend an afternoon. I usually do that after my walk in the park.

What do you like to do that doesn't cost very much? Let me know by leaving me a comment below.

Love Craig x

Round two of our presenter guessing game

Hi everyone,

As promised, here is the second picture of our young presenter. Any clues as to who it is yet?























Let us know who you think it is by leaving a comment below.

Guess the presenter

Hello everyone, Guess the presenter returns with another pic for you to puzzle over...
Who is this little lovely?


















We will be giving you another photo of this mini presenter tomorrow to help you out, so keep your eyes peeled.

Let us know who you think it is by leaving  a comment below.

Charlie's top tip for being green in the office

Hi everyone,

I recently read that if every office saved just one staple a day, it would collectively save around 72 tonnes a year!

Funnily enough I was shown a technique to avoid using staples... simply fold over the corner of the gathered papers, make two little tears down the fold and bend over the little tab! Several pages can be held this way!

Do you have any top tips to help the environment? Feel free to share them in the comments section.

Love Charlie x

The results of our Beauty Day competition

Thanks to everyone who voted in our Beauty Day competition - we had a fantastic response. The answer to 'What is Julia Roberts' favourite beauty item?' is B, Decleor Hand Cream.

The winner of all our presenters' beauty items is Mrs Marian Smyth from Lisburn, so a big congrats to you!

Glen Campbell: I can help with your winter fashion worries

Hi everyone,

Are you finding dressing for the colder months a bit tricky? Don't worry, I'm here to help!

Whether you need help with winter coats or tips to update your wardrobe, just leave your question in the comment box below.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Love Glen x

Catherine reveals her favourite winter moments

Hi everyone, Catherine here,

I'm a real summer lover as I hate being cold, but I love getting wrapped up really warm and watching fireworks with a steaming hot drink in hand. I also love spending time at Steve's (my partner) family home in Wales. Their house sits on top of a hill overlooking lush green fields and winding roads with no street lights, which means it is pitch black except for the stars on a clear night. 



We sit out on the swings with hot chocolate and Cointreau, and stare up at the stars marvelling at the  peace and perfection of it all. We've had so many good times there. One year we took the children and their friends to stay and we set light lanterns off into the sky together with positive messages attached to them. Yes, we are such soppy hippies at heart but these little moments make life sweeter.

Our presenters reveal their beauty picks

Want to know which beauty product Julia wouldn't be without? Or what gives Pipa her gorgeous glow?

We caught up with some of our presenters to discover their favourite beauty products and what they love about them.

Julia loves...

Decleor 250ml Hand Cream - 225196

"I have this hand cream all over my home, I wouldn’t be without it. I’ve been using it for over 4 years and believe that it has made a big difference to the look and feel of my hands."

Alison Young's top beauty tips for autumn and winter

Want to know what's hot and what's not in beauty this season?

Check out Alison Young's Beauty Bible for the latest beauty trends and advice on how to achieve this season's make-up look.

Dale's favourite room

Hi all!

Everyone has a favourite room in their home, and mine is my living room. We've lived in our house for over 16 years and have talked of moving many times - but we've been so happy here as a family. It's the room that holds so many memories for me, some wonderful some not so.

The decor relaxes me - in the winter months we have an open coal and log fire, it's so cosy and warm. I love relaxing in there after a long shift at work, as well as just chilling with my family.

It's the room where we open presents on birthdays and at Christmas. We also have lots of family photos in there, which is lovely. My children respect it as a 'grown up' room, so thankfully, it stays relatively tidy.

What's your favourite room in your home? Let me know by leaving a comment.

Love
Dale x

Don't miss our presenters tap dancing!

For canes, top hats and lots of fun, tune in to the Morning Show at 9am on Monday to see Julia Roberts, Catherine Huntley and Claire Sutton perform a tap dancing routine!

Tap dancing was the most popular challenge in our 15th birthday poll, so don't miss out on what's sure to be a great performance.

Claire Sutton reveals her favourite autumn pastime

Hi everyone,

The loveliest memory I have as a child is of making the biggest piles of leaves with my brothers and all my friends on our drive at home, then dive bombing into them!

It's definitely something I'm looking forward to doing this autumn with my children Tom, Joe and Maddie. However, these days I'll be much more aware of the creepy crawlies hidden within.

Have fun this autumn!

Love Claire x

Anthony Heywood: My trip to QVC US

Hi everyone, it's Anthony,

I've just spent the last few days at QVC US and I'm writing this at 35,000 feet having just flown out of Philadelphia - takes me back to my flying days!

It’s been a while since I last visited QVC Studio Park, and it was great to see it again. You're struck by the sheer size of the complex - it's so big the presenters travel between studios on golf buggies!

Bumping into familiar faces

Many of the guests at QVC US also appear back home, and it was a wonderful surprise on my first day to bump into friendly craft experts Anna Griffin and Brenda Walton.

Find out the winners of our 15th birthday polls

We've been busy counting up your votes (what a fantastic response!), and here are the winners...

1. Your favourite QVC product: No prizes for guessing this one - Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish was streets ahead of the competition. Just read some of the comments to find out why.

2. Your favourite QVC show: Was this one close or what? Loyal crafters and beauty fans voted with equal enthusiasm, but Paper Crafting with Dawn Bibby just pipped In the Salon with Alison to the post with 45% of the vote compared to Alison's 32%.

3. Presenter challenge: Lots of you wanted to see all three challenges, but seeing the talented starlets Julia, Catherine and Claire perform a tap dancing routine came out top - go girls! We'll let you know when it happens.

Thanks for all your votes and birthday wishes,

The QGossip team

Have your say in the Craft Awards 2008

Have you been swept up by the voting frenzy of our Birthday Week polls? Then why not head over to the Crafts Beautiful website where you can make your voice heard for a number of important categories;

• Best customer website
• Best mail order
• Best TV shopping channel
• Best card designer

Our very own craft expert Dawn Bibby has been nominated for an award so a big congrats goes out to her! To have your say, simply visit www.craftawards.com or www.crafts-beautiful.com. Your vote could also win you some fabulous prizes.

For more craft take a look at Catherine Huntley's Craft Etc.

Guess the presenter revealed...

Hi everyone,

We've had a record number of guesses this week. It seems it wasn't as hard as we thought it would be, as most of you guessed that the curly-haired cutie is... Charlie Brook!
















Well done to you all, and keep your eyes peeled for your next 'Guess the presenter' pic.

Lulu Guinness returns to QVC... and Catherine Huntley can't wait!

Hello everyone, Catherine here!

Lulu Guinness is back... and boy, has she been in demand. She's been so busy recently with London Fashion week, but she's taking time out of her hectic schedule to come back to QVC this Friday.

I had the great pleasure of launching Lulu Guinness bags on QVC earlier this year. The premiere show sold out so quickly, we didn’t get much of a chance to chat to Lulu herself. I was so disappointed.

I fell in love with Lulu Guinness bags instantly, and I even visited her New York boutique when I was on holiday. Check out the piccy! Keeping two teenagers amused on holiday was hard work, so a trip to Lulu's boutique was my little treat - Mum's half hour of 'me time'. It was absolutely divine!

Lulu's show is going to be a busy one, so join me for a girly night this Friday at 8pm. Straight after the Lulu Guinness show, I'm also presenting the stunning Jacqueline Kennedy collection. It's a great collection of jewellery, and much talked about too!

Bags and jewellery - a fab way to start the weekend, wouldn't you say?

Love Catherine x

The birthday polls are now closed

Hang fire everyone, voting in the birthday polls has now finished.

We'll be announcing the winners on air in Friday's Morning Show and also here in QGossip, so watch this space...

Alison Keenan's most embarrassing moment

Hi everyone,

There have been mercifully few, but I think my most embarrassing moment came when I was presenting a beauty workshop with guest Helen Harvey from Nails Inc.

We were talking about the shape of nails and how best to file them when I thrust my middle finger up in front of the camera. I was merely showing the viewers the shape of my nail and held it there for far too long before realising I was offending the nation!

Hope that's tickled you!

Love Alison x

Simon Biagi: How I try to be green

Hi everyone, Simon here,

I try to  be pretty green but it is a challenge. These are the things that I try to do to help...

1. We use biodegradable soaps for everything at home.

2. I have changed all my light bulbs to low energy ones.

3. My car uses LPG not petrol (much better for the environment).

4. We have an enormous compost heap.

QVC birthday polls - your favourites so far…

Have you been taking part in our polls? Here's a quick update on how things are looking at the moment...

In the favourite QVC product poll, Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish is streets ahead of the competition, with the Northern Nights feather bed, Decleor and Gatineau battling it out for second place.

For your favourite QVC show, it's a really close call between In the Salon with Alison and Paper Crafting with Dawn Bibby - which expert will come out on top?

Finally, the presenter challenge suggests you want showbiz, with the tap dancing routine currently leading the way.

Do you agree with the choices so far? Remember, there's still time to vote for your favourites below.