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‘Why I’ve kept my children away from fame’ As Donny Osmond celebrates his 50th year in showbusiness, he tells Yours why he’s deliberately kept his own family out of the spotlight

By Alison James s a teenage girl in the Seventies, you were either a Donny Osmond fan or mad for David Cassidy. I was in the latter camp but it’s still a thrill to be sitting in a London hotel room next to the boy who was the heartthrob of millions.

Donny’s been performing from a very young age – his first TV appearance was on the Andy Williams Show with his four older brothers back in 1963. As a result, his childhood was more about learning new song and dance routines and being on the road than just having fun. This is one of the reasons why he’s kept his own five sons and soon-to-be seven grandchildren away from fame.

A Closer than ever: Donny and Debbie have been married for 36 years

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“I haven’t encouraged them to seek it out,” he says.

“I want them to lead normal lives – and they do. I’ve lived vicariously through them – the friends they’ve brought home, the fun they’ve had just hanging out, going to school and through college.

I never had any of that. It would perhaps be different if any of them had actively wanted to perform or shown a natural aptitude for it but none of them have so far.”

It sounds like Donny regrets not having a proper childhood.

‘When I go home the door shuts and I’m a husband, a dad and a grandpa’ “I do, but then again, look what I had and have now as a result of my career.” He smiles. “Being a teen idol was amazing – I loved it. That really all started for me here in the UK so I have a special affection for your country. The fans here are amazing and I want to say a big thank you to them for staying with me all this time.”

Talking of teen idols, what does he think of TV shows such as the X-Factor which actively encourages teenagers as young as 14 to take part?

Donny, above right, performs with the boys in1966. Right, parents Olive and George

“It’s great that talented kids are able to show off their skills on shows such as X Factor,” he reveals. “But it’s vital they have a solid foundation and strong family behind them. If they don’t, it can so easily all unravel.”

Family is clearly everything to Donny and always has been – from when he was touring with his brothers to the life he now enjoys with wife Debbie and their extended brood.

“When I go home the door shuts and I’m a husband, a dad and a grandpa,” he says. “My wife always says, ‘I didn’t marry Donny Osmond, I married you’.”

Donny and Debbie have been happily married for 36 years. What’s their secret?

“Well whenever we have a disagreement, she’s always right,” he laughs. “I’m kidding – although she

From left, clockwise: Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Donny, Jay and Jimmy pictured in the Seventies

usually is right. The serious answer is that we adore and respect each other.

When we have a difference of opinion about anything, we talk it through and work it out.”

Donny’s been in the UK to promote his new album – The Soundtrack of My Life – and to arrange the tour he’s hoping to do around the country next year. He’s made umpteen TV appearances here, including his rather controversial stint as a judge on Strictly last month.

His family has always been close, but of his brothers, it’s Jimmy who Donny is closest to.

“Jimmy only lives a couple of blocks from me,” he says. “I talk to the others fairly regularly but we all have our own lives. Marie, our sister, I see all the time as we spend 33 weeks a year doing five shows a week together in Las Vegas.”

Donny may be in good shape for a man of almost 57, but that schedule sounds exhausting!

“Yeah, it’s a full-on show,” he nods.

“It involves a lot of dancing as well as singing. I work out, doing core exercises for strength, and make sure I eat well. I also take lots of vitamins. I don’t know if they work but I feel good so I’ll keep on taking them.”

We can’t let Donny go without asking him if his faith as is important to him now as it was when he growing up.

“Yes it is,” he replies. “I’m still a Mormon – and I am because I want to be rather than because it’s the way I was raised. I’m careful not to shove my beliefs down other people’s throats but it’s at the very core of who I am. Like Jesus, I aim to love everyone – regardless of creed, colour, background or sexuality.

It’s love that’s the most important thing of all.” ✢ Soundtrack Of My Life is available on DECCA records, price £11.99. ✢ For more information, visit www.donny.com, www.facebook. com/donnyosmond.fb and twitter.com/donnyosmond YOURS

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PIC: PETER MAZEL / SUNSHINE / RETNA PICTURES,HENRY DILTZ/CORBIS; GETTY IMAGES

❙ star chat ❙

Style notes

Meet our experts Noella Gabriel is director of product and treatment development at skincare company Elemis Sally Penford is an educator and skincare specialist at the International Dermal Institute

By Charlotte Haigh MacNeil f you use the same skincare all year round, it could be time for a rethink. Just as you might wear a higher SPF in the summer, there are special considerations for cold-weather care – and it’s not just about temperature.

“Winter brings a change in diet from salads to more filling foods, which directly impacts on skintone and radiance,” says Noella Gabriel of Elemis.

“Central heating can take vital moisture from your skin, leaving it raw and dehydrated, so you need to act to protect it,” says Sally Penford of the International Dermal Institute. “Go for a much gentler skincare routine now – avoid foaming gel cleansers and light moisturisers and try to cocoon your skin.”

I

Cleanse carefully “If the winter weather is making dryness worse, the first step is to change your cleanser,” says Sally. She advises avoiding anything that foams, whether that’s soap or a cleansing lotion that lathers. Instead, try a creamy cleanser or opt for an oil-based one to cleanse your skin thoroughly without stripping away any of its much-needed natural oils.

TRY No 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Oil (£11/150ml).

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Your ultimate

WINTER skincare GUIDE If you’re struggling with dry skin, winter weather and a change in diet could be to blame. Keep your skin healthy and glowing with our tips!

Scrub up You might think exfoliation is the last thing you need if your skin is dry and flaky, but it’s more important than ever. “Exfoliating twice a week sloughs away dead skin cells, which will help your skin to absorb other products properly and keep it functioning at its peak,” says Noella. But pick a mild exfoliator, avoiding anything with large, scratchy grains.

TRY Elemis Gentle Rose Exfoliator (£29/50ml).

Protect by day You might need a slightly heavier moisturiser than the one you use in the summer.

“But, you still need to protect your skin with SPF even in the winter,” says Sally. This may be particularly important if you have rosacea, which can be aggravated by the combination of winter sun and cold winds.

Look for a nourishing moisturiser containing anti-ageing antioxidants as well as sun protection.

TRY Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Age Defying Day Moisturiser with SPF (£14.99/50ml).

Top up with SOS treatment Sometimes, your skin needs something extra. If you’re prone to developing stubborn dry, rough patches, make sure you have an intensive ointment on standby.

TRY Neutrogena Deep Comfort Balm (£4.15/300ml), to instantly soothe dry areas, whether they’re on your face or your elbows.

Treat your body

Nourish at night Never skip night cream at this time of year – it can get to work delivering some essential moisture while you sleep. “It’s important to replenish any moisture that’s been lost from your skin during the day,” says Noella.

TRY Nivea Daily Essentials Sensitive Night Cream (£4.49/50ml), which targets redness, dryness and tightness – all big winter skin problems. Once a week, or whenever your skin feels parched, try giving it some TLC with a super-hydrating

Don’t forget your lips, which are exposed to wind and sun but have few natural oils to protect them. Smooth on an ultra-moisturising balm like Lanolips 101 Ointment (£11.22/12.5g).

overnight treatment – you’ll wake up with fresher, plumperlooking skin.

TRY Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask (£23/100ml) packed with Japanese seaweed that will leave you deeply nourished.

STOCKISTS: Aveeno 0845 601 2261, aveeno. co.uk; Elemis 0117 316 1888, elemis.co.uk; Eucerin eucerin.co.uk; Lanolips lanolips.com/ uk; Neutrogena 0845 601 5789, neutrogena. co.uk; Nivea 0845 644 8556, nivea.co.uk; No 7 from Boots 0345 070 8090, boots.com; Olay 0800 917 7197, olay.co.uk; Origins 0800 054 2888, origins.co.uk Details correct at time of going to press

✢ NEXT ISSUE We’ve got the ultimate party make-up kit – ideal for Christmas!

For expert tips on caring for mature skin over winter, visit www.yours.co.uk/beauty

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Keep your lips luscious!

You may be under wraps through the winter, but the skin on your body can still become dehydrated and look scaly.

Smooth on a rich, oil-based lotion to lock in moisture.

TRY Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion (£7.65/300ml).

“Hands in particular can become very dry as they’re often exposed to the elements when you’re outdoors,” says Sally. Get into the habit of regularly massaging in a heavy-duty hand cream.

TRY Eucerin Intensive Hand Cream (£7/75ml).

Style notes

Sheer and floaty sleeves are a subtle way to cover arms.

Red top, £26, 10-24, David Emanuel at Bonmarché; necklace, £18, M&S

Party tops with sleeves Look great and feel confident with our pick of the most flattering and glamorous tops for your festive celebrations! By Jo Winch YOURS

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This black top not only covers arms, it also skims over hips and tummy too!

Black top, £60, 1226, Ava at Marisota; earrings, £6, M&Co

Blue lace top, £35, s-l, Oliver Bonas

Sequin top, £34.99, 8-18, New Look

UP TO SIZE 24

Gold swirl top, £45, 10-22, M&S

Black tunic top with beads, £49, 8-22, M&Co

Bronze top, £45, 8-22, Twiggy at M&S

Metallic top, £20, 10-20, Bhs

Green top, £45, 8-18, Betty Jackson.

Black at Debenhams

Gold sequin top, £25, 6-22, Dorothy Perkins

Green velvet top, £32, 8-22, M&Co

Bell sleeve top, £45, 8-22, M&Co

BARGAIN BUY

Red sparkle top, £12, 10-18, George at Asda STOCKISTS Bhs 0344 411 6000 www.bhs.co.uk; Bonmarché 0330 026 2728 www.bonmarche.co.uk; Debenhams 0844 561 6161 www.debenhams.com; Dorothy Perkins 0344 984 0261 www.dorothyperkins.com; George at Asda 0800 952 0101 www.asda.com; M&Co 0800 031 7200 www.mandco.com; Marisota 0871 984 6000 www.marisota. co.uk; Marks & Spencer 0845 609 0200 www.marksandspencer.com; New Look 0344 499 6690 www.newlook.com; Oliver Bonas 0208 974 0110 www.oliverbonas.com. Details correct at time of going to press

✢ NEXT ISSUE Party looks for every body shape

For a selection of trousers and skirts to pair your party tops with visit www.yours.co.uk/fashion

PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST JO WINCH; HAIR AND MAKE-UP SARAH JANE GREEN. ALL DETAILS CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

Zig zag detail top, £22.50, 10-24, David Emanuel at Bonmarché

HEALTH &

vitality While ageing is a natural process, there are ways you can stay fit and healthy for longer. Being active is crucial and a good diet can make all the difference. “Getting the nutrients you need can help protect your body from agerelated damage and reduce your chances of developing certain conditions,” says nutrition consultant Ian Marber.

Follow our plan to kick off some positive anti-ageing habits!

Your 14-day a What you eat can help turn back time, inside and out! We show you the foods you need to look and feel younger By Charlotte Haigh MacNeil

Meet our experts Ian Marber is a nutrition consultant and author of numerous books, including Eat Your Way to Lower Cholesterol (Orion, £9)

Da y 1

Da y 4

Vitamin E for your skin “This is an antioxidant, important for helping to protect your skin from damage,” says Ian. “It also helps to seal moisture into your skin cells.”

What to eat today: “Avocados, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds and olive oil are all excellent sources of Vitamin E,” says Ian. Make a lunchtime salad with lettuce and slices of avocado, sprinkled with sunflower seeds and drizzled with olive oil.

Da y 2

B-vits to boost brainpower

Improve your immunity

Da y 3

Protect from cancer Higher levels of selenium in your diet can be linked to lower rates of cancer, studies show. And it can give your immune system a boost so you can fight off infections more easily as you get older, according to research from the University of Hawaii.

What to eat today: Brazil nuts are one of the best sources – snack on a handful between meals or chop some over your morning porridge.

Research from Oxford University has found high doses of B vitamins can keep your mind young, slowing the brain shrinkage rate and reducing your risk of Your quick youth boost dementia. While you shouldn’t take large ✢ Perfectil Platinum (£23.95/30), doses of vitamins without speaking to your GP, you can get the benefits by from Boots, has all the nutrients you including this nutrient in your diet. need to anti-age your skin.

What to eat today: Green leafy veg, ✢ Holland & Barrett Omega 3 Fish Oil wholegrain bread and eggs are good, Capsules (£13.99/100), contains a big dose varied sources of different B vitamins. of those essential fats.

For breakfast, try wholegrain toast ✢ Berocca (£6.50/15 effervescent with scrambled eggs, topped with tablets), is packed with B vitamins wilted spinach. which also give an energy boost.

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Glenn Gibson is professor of food microbiology at the University of Reading

If you want to maintain your skin’s elasticity, you need plenty of this nutrient in your diet. “It’s essential for making collagen, the substance that keeps your skin firm,” says Ian. And of course Vitamin C also helps your immune system.

What to eat today: Sweet potatoes and citrus fruits are high in Vitamin C – drink freshly squeezed orange juice and for lunch have a baked sweet potato topped with cream cheese.

Da y 5

Fight off infection As you age, your immune system can slow. But research from Slovakia found zinc could help boost immunity so that you can quash infections more efficiently.

What to eat today: “Chicken and brown rice both contain good levels of zinc,” says Ian. Try a delicious stir-fry with chicken and vegetables on brown rice.

❙ healthy eating ❙

anti-ageing

n a l p t e di Da y 7

Polyphenols for cell protection These clever compounds – found at high levels in red wine, green tea and berries – could help prevent cell damage linked to ageing, according to a US study. This means they could help protect you from age-related conditions such as heart disease and cancer.

What to eat today: Have berries topped with yogurt for dessert – and wash it down with a glass of red wine.

Da y 8

Repair skin with Vitamin A “This nutrient helps to repair and maintain skin cells,” says Ian. It may be particularly good at helping protect skin from sun damage. If you’re heading for some winter sun, make sure you have plenty of this in your diet.

What to eat today: Betacarotene, found in carrots, converts to Vitamin A, so try a bowl of carrot and coriander soup.

Da y 6 Slow ageing with omega-3 fats A University of California study found omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil can help slow the ageing process. The fatty acids work on telomeres – protective caps found on the ends of chromosomes (think of them as being like the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces). Telomeres gradually shorten as we get older; eventually the DNA they protect becomes damaged, causing cells to die. But a high intake of omega-3 seems to slow down the rate at which this happens, potentially preventing physical signs of ageing, from wrinkles to hardened arteries.

What to eat today: Bake a salmon fillet sprinkled with chopped herbs and olive oil and serve with lots of veg.

Da y 9

Up your complex carbs Foods such as vegetables, brown rice and oats are low on the glycaemic index (GI) and research by a leading US geneticist, has found a low GI diet could turn down the activity of a gene that controls the hormone insulin.

This switches on another gene called DAF 16, Turn the which triggers repair and rejuvenation in page for your body.

What to eat today: Try a tasty vegdays 10-14 packed casserole with brown rice for of our diet dinner tonight. plan YOURS

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mfrom y lessons life…

Highly acclaimed actor Timothy Spall, who stars in the new film Mr Turner, tells Yours how illness changed him ✢ I always wanted to be an actor

The day before I learnt I had full remission from leukaemia I had expected to hear I was going to die. (In 1996, Timothy was suddenly diagnosed with leukaemia and given days to live). And the day I really knew that I was on the mend fully was when I shouted at someone for driving dangerously!

Being so ill concentrates your mind on what is really important in life.

I played the Lion in the Wizard of Oz at school and loved it.

I just knew that I had to act. I almost joined the army, but I always had in the back of my mind my drama teacher saying “I think you should be an actor” and that was good enough for me.

✢ Forget the fear I know now why we actors call each other ‘luvvies’. It’s because we live in a state of fear. We exchange all of this bonhomie, calling each other ‘darling’ and ‘love’, while not mentioning the fear of the performance. It’s like a pact to have fun among ourselves and try to forget the fear factor.

✢ Friendships are everything Jimmy Nail, my old mate from Auf Wiedersehen Pet, is a huge friend and was of massive help when I had a bit of a run-in with the press. They were very intrigued by the state of me after I’d finished a round of chemotherapy. When I was having chemo I didn’t want to be known as ‘the actor who was ill’ – I didn’t want to be stigmatised by it.

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From top: In character as Mr Turner, with wife Shane on his barge Princess Matilda and with actor Jimmy Nail

✢ Life is full of surprises I got a message a couple of years ago that someone from Buckingham Palace had

been in contact. They informed me that the Queen wanted to see my film about sailing around the coastline of her British Isles in my barge The Princess Matilda!

✢ Looks aren’t everything!

I’ve been very fortunate to play a lot of funny-looking people, even if I wasn’t blessed with leading man looks. The key to great acting is not to look like you are doing it. I’m probably considered a Dickensian actor – Charles Dickens is certainly a hero of mine.

✢ Unemployment really affected me Playing Barry in Auf Wiedersehen Pet, where he and the others had to travel anywhere to find work, left a big impression on me – particularly seeing the situation in the northeast. It was the height of Thatcherism in the Eighties and I’d been out of work for a few months myself. ✢ Mr Turner, about the last 25 years of the great artist’s life, is in cinemas across the UK now. ✢ Timothy was talking to Andrew Threlfall.

WHAT MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE TODAY? Acting. I think, like a lot of actors, I use it to overcome a basic shyness. I’m like a shy showoff I suppose. I think acting allows you to say what you feel instinctively about the world.

PICS: ALPHA PRESS; CAPITAL PICTURES; REX FEATURES

✢ Life is precious