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If the thought of dry turkey and endless potato peeling fills you with dread, Waitrose might just have the perfect alternative you are looking for. But does this chef-prepared seafood feast justify the luxury price tag?

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Christmas dinner is steeped in tradition, but let’s be honest: not everyone actually likes the traditional turkey dinner we spend hours prepping for. For those looking to try something a bit different, or perhaps serve up a showstopper for Boxing Day, Waitrose may have answered your prayers. The supermarket has has teamed up with the premium meal-kit service Dispatch to offer a new collection of boujee dinner boxes that are supposed to take the faff out of the festivities.

They’ve enlisted a culinary Avengers squad (including Angela Hartnett, Michel Roux, and Andi Oliver) to create nine “finish-at-home” dishes. I decided to test the waters with Rick Stein’s Seafood Celebration, which contains a Lobster & King Prawn Velouté Pie and Classic Fish Soup.

Costing a cool £105 for two courses, it’s far from cheap. The Cornwall-based chef, restaurateur, author and presenter has clearly stuck to his love of British seafood for this menu, but how does it actually fare in my kitchen? And is it good enough to replace the classic Christmas spread? I reviewed the fancy box ahead of December 25th, judging it on ease of prep, quality of ingredients and of course that all-important taste…

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The prep

The biggest selling point of the Dishpatch range is the promise of “chef-standard flavours with total ease.” In this regard, the box absolutely delivers.

If you are the designated chef used to the chaos of Christmas morning, this feels like cheating. The soup and pie comes largely prepared; you are essentially just finishing it off. There is no chopping, no making your own pie base, and zero stress.

One detail I loved was the packaging. The pie arrived with its own ceramic dish. It’s a lovely touch that elevates the experience from a “ready meal” to a proper gift or occasion. Plus, you get to keep the crockery, which helps – slightly – to soften the blow of the extortionate price tag.

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Taste test

Once out of the oven, the soup looked perfectly presented and the pie was golden and definitely a showstopper. But does it taste like Rick Stein cooked it?

This is a world away from supermarket puff pastry bakes. The filling is a rich, indulgent velouté infused with tarragon and parsley that perfectly complements the lobster and king prawns.

It feels decadent, creamy, and undeniably special. If you are looking to impress guests without lifting a finger, this will do the trick. It tastes like a restaurant meal, eaten in your pyjamas.

The Classic Fish Soup made with saffron, tomato, fennel and prawns is served with Harissa Croutons, combining harissa and Parmesan for a rich, spiced twist. Though this was a nice dish, the pie definitely topped it on flavour.

The idea of having two courses to serve takes a lot of the pressure off, but your guests will definitely have to like seafood to enjoy this.

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Price tag

This convenience comes at a premium. With individual dishes starting around £25 and the full two-course experience (including the fish soup) costing up to £105, it’s world’s away from Aldi or Lidl’s cheap and cheerful Christmas dinner deals.

While the quality is high, the portion sizes are a point of contention. The box states it serves four, but these are “chef portions,” not “hungry family at Christmas” portions.

If you are feeding a group with hearty appetites, you might find yourself eyeing up the cheese board immediately after the main course. It is undeniably a luxury experience rather than a budget-friendly feed.

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The verdict

The Rick Stein Classic Fish Soup and Lobster & King Prawn Velouté Pie is a fantastic option for foodies, couples, or smaller families who want to ditch the traditional roast for something more sophisticated. It removes the stress entirely and delivers a delicious, high-end flavour.

However, be prepared to pay for the privilege. It’s not a value option, but for a hassle-free, decadent treat (perhaps better suited to Christmas Eve or Boxing Day than the big day itself), it’s a winner.

• Taste: 9/10
• Ease: 9/10
• Value: 6/10

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Major supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s and M&S will have altered opening hours over Christmas and New Year

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If you’re planning to stock up for the festive season and New Year’s Day, it’s crucial to keep tabs on your local supermarket’s opening and closing times. The holiday period often sees supermarkets bustling with last-minute Christmas shoppers.

Moreover, as the New Year rings in, January sales start to appear, drawing crowds eager for discounted deals on a range of items. This rush can lead to changes in operating hours, potentially disrupting your shopping plans.

Since opening hours can differ from store to store, here’s a handy guide to the opening and closing times of all major UK supermarkets during the festive season.

Aldi

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Aldi has confirmed many of its stores will have varying opening times across the Christmas period. Despite this, it has confirmed that stores will remain open and closed on these date:

When Aldi will be closed

• Thursday, December 25
• Friday, December 26
• Thursday, January 1

Many Aldi branches will open their doors on Christmas Eve from 7am to 6pm, and on New Year’s Eve from 8am to 6pm, although these times may vary. You can check your local Aldi’s opening and closing times across the Christmas period on the supermarket’s store finder here.

Asda

Numerous Asda outlets will stay open on Christmas Eve from 5am to 7pm, and on Boxing Day from 9am to 6pm. For the New Year period, some stores will operate from 7am to 7pm on New Year’s Eve and 9am to 6pm on New Year’s Day.

However, this will likely vary from store to store, so it’s worth checking your local Asda’s opening and closing times on its store finder here.

Co-op

The Co-op has confirmed that many of its stores may operate on reduced hours during bank holidays, including Christmas and New Year’s Day. The opening and closing times of some Co-op supermarkets may differ from those of their convenience store counterparts.

For instance, certain Co-op supermarkets will be shutting up shop early at 7pm on Christmas Eve, while convenience stores could open their doors as early as 6am and close them at 8pm. Although all stores will remain closed on Christmas Day, many are expected to operate between 10am and 7pm on Boxing Day.

As for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, most stores will likely close early at 7pm. More details can be found on the Co-op store finder here.

Lidl

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Lidl has confirmed the following opening and closing hours for its stores across the festive period:

• Saturday, December 20 – from 7am to 10pm
• Sunday, December 21 – from 1pm to 6pm
• Monday, December 22 – from 7am to 10pm
• Tuesday, December 23 – from 7am to 10pm
• Wednesday, December 24 – from 7amm to 10pm
• Friday, December 25 – closed
• Saturday, December 26 – closed
• Wednesday, December 31 – from 8am to 6pm
• Thursday, January 1 – closed

Full details for your local Lidl can be found on the store finder here.

Tesco

Shoppers can expect many Tesco stores to fling open their doors early at 6am and shut up shop by 7pm, while Tesco Express branches might extend their trading hours from 7am until 10pm. On Christmas Day, all stores will be taking a break, but Boxing Day will see most Tesco supermarkets back in action from 9am to 6pm, with Tesco Express locations typically operating from 9am to 7pm.

On New Year’s Eve, most Tesco stores will kick off at 6am and wrap up earlier than usual at 7pm, while Tesco Express outlets may trade between 7am and 10pm. On New Year’s Day, Tesco stores will mostly operate 9am to 6pm, with Tesco Express branches likely to open slightly longer, from 8am to 10pm.

Full details for your local store can be found on the Tesco store finder here.

M&S

Many M&S stores are expected to trim their opening hours over the festive period. On Christmas Eve, branches will mostly open from 6am and close at 7pm.

On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, most stores are expected to remain closed.

New Year’s will also affect M&S’ opening hours with most stores opening at 8am before closing early at 7pm. All M&S branches will then remain closed throughout New Year’s Day.

Further details can be found on the M&S store finder here.

Morrisons

On Christmas Eve, Morrisons’ opening times will vary by location, though the vast majority of branches are set to trade between 6am and 6pm. All stores will remain closed on Christmas Day, before reopening on Boxing Day, when most locations will operate from 9am until 6pm.

Trading hours for the New Year will be slightly reduced at Morrisons. Stores are set to open from 7am to 7pm on New Year’s Eve, and most will revert to a 9am to 6pm schedule on New Year’s Day.

Further details for your local branch can be found on the Morrisons store finder here.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s will alter many of its opening and closing times on Christmas Eve, with most stores expected to open from 6am to 7pm. Convenience stores may stay open a bit longer, from 6am to 9pm.

All Sainsbury’s stores will be closed on Christmas Day. Boxing day will see most supermarkets open from 9am to 6pm, while convenience stores typically operate from 9am to 9pm.

On New Year’s Eve, larger Sainsbury’s stores are expected to open from 10am to 7pm, with convenience stores potentially operating from 6am to 9pm. On New Year’s Day, larger Sainsbury’s stores are due to run from 8am to 8pm, with convenience stores generally opening between 9am and 9pm.

Further details for your local branch can be found via Sainsbury’s store finder here.

Waitrose

Waitrose has confirmed that only some stores at Welcome Break Service stations will maintain their usual trading times on Christmas Day. However, most Waitrose locations will be closed on Boxing Day, with only a small number remaining open for Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat orders.

Apprentice 2013 runner up Luisa Zissman announced this week she is relocating to the UAE with her family and beloved horses after growing tired of the UK’s weather and escalating crime

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A former Apprentice star has revealed her five horses have landed safely in Dubai after she is thought to have paid a staggering amount to fly them there.

Apprentice 2013 runner up Luisa Zissman announced this week she is relocating to the UAE with her family after growing tired of the UK’s weather and escalating crime. The 38-year-old will be leaving behind her multi-million pound Grade II-listed Hertfordshire home which she and Andrew bought shortly after their 2015 wedding.

Luisa previously explained that her eldest daughter, 15 year-old Dixie who she shares with her ex-husband Oliver Zissman, will remain in the UK and finish her education at her boarding school. But her other children and four-legged friends will be making the move to Dubai.

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Sharing an update on social media last week, Luisa told fans that five of her horses were ready to fly out as part of the ‘big relocation to Dubai for us all’. And on Friday, she revealed that her horses Cherry, Champ, Clemmie, Oreo and Jupi had landed safely.

It is estimated that Luisa would have paid around £25,000 to fly all of our horses to her new home. For some other people who have transported their horses from the UK to Dubai, they have revealed on forums that it costs around £5,000 per horse to make the trip.

But depending on routes taken, the company and airline chosen, and whether your horse is in a private or shared stalls on the plane – it can cost as much as £25,000 for one single animal, according to MailOnline.

Before the flight, Luisa shared a video of her horses being walked into shared metal stalls which were then closed and driven over to the aircraft to be moved onto the plane. “Bon voyage my babies have a safe flight – see you in the sunshine. I love you,” she wrote.

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Sharing an update after the flight took off, she wrote: “And they are off. Taken on there on to the plane. I have to say after all the stress of the build up, this was so easy, smooth and professional. Feel very happy and they will be well looked after.”

After a smooth flight they have now landed in Dubai and Luisa shared the following update with her fans: “One of the grooms that was flying with some other horses yesterday took videos of a few of my babies coming off the plan and I am so happy! Because I don’t really know how they are, I haven’t seen a picture of them yet.”

She added: “I’ve managed to arrange via the friend who I booked the horses to travel with through, a vet to go and give them all a drip today to rehydrate them after travelling and make sure they’re okay and manage to deliver some food there.”

Actor Martin Compston will host big weekend in Glasgow dedicated to comedy legend Billy Connolly

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Line Of Duty star Martin Compston has lauded Sir Billy Connolly for dealing with Parkinson’s “incredibly bravely”. The legendary comedian, 83, was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and later announced his retirement in 2018.

Compston, who is co-hosting Hoolie In The Hydro on Saturday dedicated to the Big Yin, said the Scottish comic has battled the disease “with a smile on his face and cracking jokes that only Billy can”.

The actor, who was born in Greenock, said he was “chuffed” to be asked to present the night of traditional music in Glasgow, despite admitting he is “not a fan” of public speaking.

“But it’s a big Christmas ceilidh night out and a salute to the Big Yin,” he said. “I’m glad about all the murals (of Sir Billy) that have popped up. I think sometimes legends can leave us and then it seems after they’re gone there’s an outpouring of grief and they don’t really know.

“I’m glad the last few years it’s been made abundantly clear just how much Billy is loved and cherished. So I think having that salute to him, it’s lovely.”

Murals celebrating Sir Billy have popped up in recent years, usually painted on to the side of traditional Glasgow tenements. Compston said Sir Billy is “the best at being Scottish”, which is why he is “globally loved”.

He added: “Obviously, Billy’s been battling Parkinson’s but he’s been battling incredibly bravely and again he’s done it with a smile on his face and cracking jokes that only Billy can. I’m hoping he’s with us for a long time to come.”

Organisers of The Hoolie In The Hydro say it will honour Sir Billy’s “immeasurable” contribution to Scottish comedy, music and culture. The annual “Hoolie” is considered to be one of the biggest events of the year for Scottish traditional music. Acts performing this year include Elephant Sessions, Trail West, Manran and Beluga Lagoon.

Compston said the night will honour Sir Billy as a musician, but added: “There’s kind of nothing he can’t do and he’s done it all with a humility and obviously a humour that you just have to love. When I say to anybody what would be the best way to describe what it’s like being Scottish or being from the west coast of Scotland, you say Billy Connolly.”

Connolly was diagnosed with Parkinson’s on the same day he found out he had prostate cancer, which he later received the all clear on.

In October 2023, Billy told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “My life has changed radically since the diagnosis of Parkinson’s. I walk with a stick and at airports I have to get the wheelchair. I hate being dependent to that degree and I feel sorry for other people who are in wheelchairs and who have it worse than me.

“But it’s a thing I just have to put up with. My wife puts my clothes on in the morning. It’s not very manly. Your mum puts your clothes on.

“I’m clumsy and I lose my balance. I’m out of balance a lot and I fall. I’m fed up with it. I think I have a good attitude to it. I say to the disease ‘I’ll give you a break if you give me a break’. We’re nice to each other.

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Adam Peaty’s mum is said to have written to Netflix and instructed bosses to remove her family from any scenes in Gordon Ramsay’s upcoming series, amidst the family fall out

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Adam Peaty has been dealt another blow by his mother. In recent weeks, the Team GB Olympian has been at the centre of drama surrounding his family.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star had uninvited his relatives from his upcoming wedding to Holly Ramsay, which will take place this month. His whole family had been invited to the ceremony, with his brother also serving as a groomsman, but this changed when James allegedly sent “threats” to the swimmer and was subsequently arrested.

But it has since come to light that Adam’s sister, Bethany, will be his only relative in attendance. His mother, Caroline, was also not invited to Holly’s hen do at Soho Farmhouse, while Bethany was seen at the glitzy event alongside Lady Victoria Beckham.

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And while there seems to be no signs of the family putting their differences aside, Caroline Peaty has now reportedly written to Netflix bosses. Sources claim that she has instructed them to remove herself and her family from any scenes they may appear in during Gordon Ramsay’s upcoming docu-series, Being Gordon Ramsay, which is slated for release next year.

Sources claim that Caroline gave bosses a strict 14-day deadline to respond to her request. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “Caroline has written to Netflix to say the family were not asked for their consent to be filmed for Gordon’s documentary at last year’s engagement do.

“She was very clear that, after everything that’s happened, they do not want to be feature, she was filmed giving a speech as were the family during arrivals and while mingling at the party. They’re expecting a response from Netflix within 14 days of the letter’s arrival.”

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However, a source has disputed this, telling the Mirror that at the engagement party, there were clear signs displayed throughout the evening. They added that everybody in attendance had a “jolly time” and that by attending, “you were giving your consent” to appear in his docu-series.

The source went on to add that the Peaty family were not formally interviewed, so there was no additional consent required, and they are not in the final edits of the programme. The source went on to tell us that there are “no delays to the production”.

Earlier this week, Adam made a dig at his mother on social media as he offered an insight into his stag do, which took place in Budapest. He captioned the series of snaps: “A few good weeks to backend the year [salute emoji].” One photo featured him donning a T-shirt adorned with fiancée Holly’s face and the words “wife 2 be”.

Adam was seen strolling alongside his friend, Ed Baxter, in the airport as they made their way to Budapest. Another image showed him casually sitting on the bonnet of an Aston Martin, possibly belonging to his soon-to-be father-in-law, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

A third snap captured Holly, 25, beaming during a cosy festive date night at a bustling restaurant, while another saw Adam decorating a Christmas tree with his five-year-old son George perched on his shoulders.

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Fans thought the shout-outs to Holly could be seen as a dig at his mum after taking his wife’s side following the upset over her hen do. Caroline has also taken to social media to say she had been hurt by people who love her, after she was left caring for Adam’s son during Holly’s hen do.

Adam recently broke his silence to share a statement about the feud. In a statement, he said: “For those who know me personally, you know that I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place.

“I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times. Bethany, Holly and I will get through this – we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story. To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding – thank you. It is deeply appreciated.”

The Mirror has approached Netflix and Gordon Ramsay’s spokesperson for comment.

Davina McCall shared an important message to Channel 4 Stand Up To Cancer viewers as she continues to face her own cancer diagnosis

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Davina McCall was on the verge of tears as she shared a powerful message for Stand Up To Cancer. The presenter, who revealed she underwent surgery for breast cancer recently, looked emotional as she presented a live Stand Up To Cancer show as she met patients at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge.

And after speaking to patients about their own journey, Davina shared an important message. She said: “Don’t be afraid, it is so important to look after your own body. For you, and for the people that love you.”

Davina, 58, previously explained that she found a lump in her breast after checking herself and got it examined. She said: “It was very, very small, so I got it very, very early, which is incredibly lucky. But I am so relieved to have had it removed and to know that it hasn’t spread.”

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And now viewers of the Channel 4 show have been left emotional throughout the show – and headed to social media to let their feeling be known. As a number of patients spoke to the presenter, the stories hit home for many viewers.

The one-off live cancer clinic was following patients at pivotal moments from test results to treatment. One user wrote: “So wonderful to see @ThisisDavina live from Addenbrooks for #StandUpToCancer – my whole family is forever grateful to the amazing @CUH_NHS NHS team who saved my mum’s life when she was diagnosed with cancer.”

Another said: “#StandUpToCancer just donated as cancer has touched many peoples lives including my own both my granddads passed away of this horrible disease,” and they added a heartbroken emoji.

It comes after King Charles III gave his own update on his condition. The King revealed his cancer treatment schedule is being reduced in the New Year. The news comes almost two years after his diagnosis.

Charles, 77, has been receiving weekly treatment since learning he had an undisclosed type of cancer in early 2024. And in a message to viewers on the Channel 4 show, the monarch gave a significant update about his cancer journey while stressing the importance of cancer screening programmes to help early diagnosis of the disease.

In his pre-recorded message, which he created just over a week ago in the morning room at Clarence House, he said: “Today I am able to share with you the good news that thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to ‘doctors’ orders’, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the New Year.

“This milestone is both a personal blessing and a testimony to the remarkable advances that have been made in cancer care in recent years; testimony that I hope may give encouragement to the fifty per cent of us who will be diagnosed with the illness at some point in our lives.”

He went on to speak of his own experience of feeling overwhelmed when receiving a cancer diagnosis. However, Charles, who was wearing a Stand Up To Cancer lapel pin, used his address to stress the importance of early detection, saying it’s ‘troubling’ people aren’t taking up cancer screening available to them.

Strictly star Amy Dowden also provided a candid update on her cancer journey. The professional dancer she shared her heartbreak about motherhood.

The Strictly Come Dancing star said: “A cancer diagnosis changes you forever… I’ve been put into menopause… I don’t know if I’ll ever have the honour of becoming a mum which I desperately want to… Five weeks ago I have another mastectomy…

“I’m so grateful for another shot of live, to be able get back on the dance floor… I’m so grateful for my medical team, the doctors and nurses who have kept me alive. A cancer diagnosis changes you forever, I’m no longer the person I was and that’s not by choice.”

Stand Up to Cancer on Channel 4, to check if you are eligible for NHS / PHA cancer screening go to www.screeningchecker.co.uk’