It seems the release of Meghan’s latest Netflix series, “With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration,” couldn’t have come at a worse time. In the show, she makes the intriguing claim that Christmas trees “encapsulate your family’s story.” However, this debut coincides with the disheartening news of her father’s critical condition, as he lies in intensive care in the Philippines, far from his daughter’s world.

This week was planned to spotlight the Sussexes, with Meghan’s festive special aligning with Prince Harry’s appearance on Stephen Colbert’s Late Show in the U.S. Harry’s attempt at humor, however, did not meet with much success.

Then, the unexpected news broke about Thomas Markle’s severe health crisis. He is reportedly on life support, and it was recently revealed that he has undergone a leg amputation below the knee.

Thomas, now 81, is described as “gravely ill” but stable, according to his son Tom Jr., who has traveled to the Philippines to be by his father’s side in this challenging time.

Amidst these developments, reports surfaced last night that Meghan has finally “reached out” to her father. While the specifics of this outreach remain unclear, there is hope that this gesture might pave the way for reconciliation after years of estrangement and blame between Meghan and her father.

Meghan pictured with her father Thomas on the day of her wedding to film producer Trevor Engelson in 2011

Meghan’s latest Netflix offering premiered as her father, 81, lay gravely ill in the Philippines 

I know how precious – and usually unbreakable – the bond between any dad and his daughter is. I love my own dear father even more today, six years after he died, than I did when I was by his bedside in his final days. 

And I also suspect that underneath Meghan’s tungsten-tough exterior, she’s still that little girl who once giggled on Daddy’s lap. 

We don’t know what’s going through Meghan’s mind. But I would urge her to pick up the phone. I don’t think she’d ever regret doing it. 

I never thought I’d write this, but isn’t it time we cut Meghan some slack? 

Height of stupidity

Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell, she of the repulsively graphic porn movie Saltburn, says her Cathy in Wuthering Heights, played by Margot Robbie, is far from being the wild and passionate free spirit imagined by Emily Bronte.

Instead, she is a ‘recreational sadist’ and Robbie brings ‘big d**k energy’ to the role which is what Cathy needs. How pathetically retro that a woman needs penis energy to be sexually liberated.

Don’t be the drunk raccoon this Xmas

A raccoon who fell through the roof of a Virginia liquor store then drank the spilt booze –especially the whisky – before passing out drunk, should remind us all of the dangers of Yuletide over-indulgence. One for hubby on the fridge door? At least the raccoon got to the loo before he threw up. 

Natalie Dormer stars as Sarah Ferguson in ITV drama The Lady, about her dresser Jane Andrews being convicted of murder. The only one who will be happy with this series is money-grabbing paedo-friend Fergie who, even in her earlier years, looked nothing like the beautiful Natalie. 

Shouldn’t we be rejoicing that four countries have pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in protest at Israel’s inclusion, with more expected to join the boycott? Maybe now the UK stands a chance of avoiding ‘nul points’ and ending up bottom… 

Up to 4.4 million people have been signed off work, due partly to a rise in those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

To those claiming it stops them working, I’d point to Jamie Oliver, Will Smith, Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Winston Churchill. ADHD is no excuse for not working.

The public’s nausea at Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay’s nuptials goes on, with her in Victoria’s Secret Bridal undies screaming: ‘It’s wedding month!’ I predict this celeb marriage will last about as long as his 2019 world record 100m breaststroke swim – all of 56.88 seconds.

Kate’s great without the curls 

Wonderful to see Kate looking so glorious at this week’s Windsor Castle State Banquet – her hair held in place by a stunning tiara, without her hitherto waist-length Love Island curls. I get why Kate, post-cancer, wants to flaunt her long locks, but there comes a time when they distract from – rather than enhance – her beauty. 

Shame on the BBC and that bitter old has-been, David Dimbleby, 87, for their derisory series, What’s The Monarchy For? It comes just before Christmas, when King Charles might have expected some compassion. He has been working full tilt despite his cancer treatment. 

Former MasterChef host John Torode is in ‘therapy’ after being sacked by the BBC over alleged racist comments. Having been sacked more times than I have toes, I get it, it’s devastating: but unlike Torode, I didn’t have an £8million fortune to weep into. 

My hero of the week is Leeds bricklayer Don Daniels, who became a poster boy for working men after Rachel Reeves’s Budget for Scroungers. Dad Don, who works five days a week and doesn’t get paid when the weather is bad, posted ironically: ‘Some days I want to give up, but there’s people on benefits depending on me.’ 

Westminster shame

Knowing that Reform would be a threat in mayoral elections, spineless Starmer has postponed voting until 2028. A coward willing to cancel democracy to save his own skin, the PM is even less popular than Liz ‘Lettuce’ Truss – and his credibility is wilting with every passing week.

As for Rachel Reeves, she said she worked as an economist at HBOS when she was in complaints, and she misled people over a claim that she was an under-14 chess champion. The only thing she doesn’t lie about is the fact she’s robbing the dwindling part of the country who actually work for a living and giving their cash to welfare spongers.

Sydney Swooney

Eyes boggled as the sensationally sexy Sydney Sweeney stalked the red carpet for her new movie, The Housemaid, in which she plays a humble maid driven mad as her dream job with a wealthy couple turns sour – and she goes psycho. 

’Tis the season to be jolly, not least for the few remaining practising Christians after the Church of England decreed it’s OK for us to turn up in our tacky jumpers on Christmas Day, insisting Christ does not make ‘aesthetic judgements’. I checked with my vicar to see if my red Santa sweater was acceptable and he said yes – but suggested I might turn off its flashing lights before I take the Holy Sacrament.