FilmObituaryWilliam HootkinsHollywood film actor best known for a role on the London stageWilliam Hootkins, who has died aged 57, was a Hollywood character actor, but what he was best known for was his impersonation of Alfred Hitchcock on the London stage. In 2003, he caused a sensation with his portrayal of the film director in Terry Johnson's Hitchcock Blonde at the Royal Court Theatre, before transferring to the West End. He had a wonderful sense of humour and a booming voice that more than matched his gargantuan frame.

Books advent calendarBooks15. Fifteen ranks of the Knights TemplarToday's festive countdown instalment, extracted from Rogerson's Book of Numbers, sheds light on the influential crusaders order Grand Master Seneschal Commander of the Kingdom of Jerusalem Commander of the City of Jerusalem Commander of Tripoli and Antioch Drapier Commander of Houses Commander of Knights Knight Brothers Turcopolier Under Marshal Standard Bearer Sergeant Brothers Turcopoles Elderly Brothers The Knights Templar were a crack force of armed monks, established in 1129 to protect pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem, and then employed to defend the crusader kingdoms of Outremer.

HealthFizzy drinks linked to goutMen who consume large amounts of fizzy or sugary drinks are at higher risk of contracting gout than those who abstain, a new study has concluded. Researchers from Harvard and the University of Vancouver found that those who consumed five or six sweet beverages a week were nearly 30% more likely to suffer attacks of the illness than those who drank less than one serving monthly. The risk rose to 85% for those drinking two or more a day.

Children and teenagersReviewPatrick Ness watches the fall of Plato's new republicThe 21st century hasn't gone well. The Last War has engulfed the world in cataclysmic battles and plagues; only the forward thinking of Plato, a millionaire businessman on the islands of Aotearoa (New Zealand, to you and me), saved his country. He built the Great Sea Fence around the entire Republic (that would be, ahem, Plato's Republic) to keep out a planet full of desperate refugees.

FamilyHappy days - Serena ReesA parent's guide to fun with the kidsSerena Rees and Joseph Corre, creators and owners of lingerie shop Agent Provocateur, live in Clerkenwell, London, with their daughter Cora, aged 22 months. Best day out: We went on holiday to Costa Rica at Christmas and went on a horse ride up the side of a volcano, up through the jungle, then over the lava rock. Cora really enjoyed riding along with me and it was quite a special day for all of us.