A nice surprise, JUST FOR YOU!

Well, lovely readers, I do hope you’re enjoying the delightful surprise we’re giving you this month! In contrast to the fabulous female cover stars we usually bring you, we thought it was about time we introduced you to one of your favourite men… and, when we really thought about it, James Martin was the ideal choice. Frankly, what could be better than a no-nonsense chef from Yorkshire who cooks like a Frenchman? James tells us about his pastimes, pleasures and passions and also shares some of his simple but divine recipes with us, gathered from a lifetime love affair with France.

I really hope you enjoy making them, eating them and reading about James – we certainly had a lot of fun on our photoshoot with him, and I can promise you he’s just as charming in the flesh as he is on the telly.

With spring upon us, there’s also plenty to inspire you to celebrate the new season in this issue.

Bring the outdoors into your home with the clever touches and flower arrangements created by our homes team. Plus, add a little spring to your wardrobe as we reveal the new trends hot off the high street. And, in our new spring 2017 curve edit, we show how real women with curves like us can look amazing if they just know where to shop and how to put a look together. Fancy a good read? We have plenty to keep you entertained. Don’t miss one of my favourite features this month, all about women who started their successful businesses on a shoestring – proof, as if we needed it, that women are creative, resourceful, determined and downright brilliant!