Sarah Sands

Sarah Sands enjoyed decade long tenures at the London Evening Standard and The Daily Telegraph, before becoming the first female editor of the Sunday Telegraph in 2005. Her topical weekly column looks at social and cultural issues.

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Sarah Sands: Fathers, we thank you for your many thankless tasks

The Father's Day cards available in my local newsagent had an air of mild embarrassment. Mother's Day comes sanctified by society. Father's Day was dragged into official existence by President Nixon. Faced with illustrations of a pint of beer, a football or a set of golf clubs I chose a card in primary colours, which said: "Whatever mum thinks of you, I appreciate you."

Recently by Sarah Sands

Sometimes, a kiss is just a kiss

Sunday, 12 June 2011

Sarah Sands: Germaine Greer's comments about fathers and their daughters show she has little to offer modern feminism.

Sarah Sands: Watch Simon Cowell do his amazing ratings trick

Sunday, 5 June 2011

He had a trying week, but it was melodramatic of Simon Cowell to call in Scotland Yard over his internet accuser. Keith Schilling must be puzzled by the ability of an celebrity to act independently of him. Was speed-dial not working?

Sarah Sands: A prodigal son returns. Welcome back!

Sunday, 29 May 2011

The vagaries of celebrity that have blown Cheryl Cole back across the Atlantic will strike terror in many British performers, but James Corden need worry no longer. He turned his back on television just before it consumed him, with a wise decision to return to the theatre that launched him. His acknowledgement of a standing ovation at the first night of the National's latest hit, One Man, Two Guvnors, last week, was modest and relieved. The returning sinner was not merely forgiven but greeted with rapture. The son of a Christian bookseller, Corden was almost lost, but now is found.

Sarah Sands: It's the boardroom, not the bedroom, that matters

Sunday, 22 May 2011

The distinction between who is and isn't fair game for the press is complicated. So it is a relief that we can all agree on Sir Fred Goodwin. Actors and footballers are one thing: a hubristic banker who left the taxpayer with the bill for his rampage is a different matter. We can tell that the alleged affair between Goodwin and a senior colleague at the Royal Bank of Scotland is a solid-gold scandal rather than diverting gossip because the Financial Services Authority has deemed it worthy enough of investigation.

Sarah Sands: The selling is down to a fine art – but how fine is the art?

Sunday, 15 May 2011

The Tiger Mother Amy Chua relentlessly harnessed her daughters to the piano and the violin and willed them into top-rank concert halls, but she may have been a little soft with them. There is no record of her squeezing them into bodices and trying to turn them blonde.

Sarah Sands: Nothing eases a mother's grief – least of all, more death

Sunday, 8 May 2011

The laying of a wreath by President Obama at Ground Zero, New York, last week, after American marines had despatched the diabolical visionary behind the 11 September bombings, was described by commentators as "seeking closure". After an apocalyptic act of violence, and a decade-long pursuit of the perpetrator, here was a moment of silent reflection. Let the victims of unquiet deaths, finally rest in peace.

Sarah Sands: A fortnight of sun has turned us all into Italians

Sunday, 24 April 2011

British military chiefs are delighted with the Italians, who have been among the most willing of the coalition in Libya. It is a funny old world when we are shoulder to shoulder with the Italians and at arm's length from the Americans. But it is all part of our drift towards the Mediterranean.

Sarah Sands: Three cheers for Paula, my rhino, and chickens everywhere

Sunday, 17 April 2011

By the time you read this, the professional London Marathon runners will have probably finished, the boundaries of physical excellence extended. The huddled masses could finish any time before sunset.

Sarah Sands: Why Mariella's pillow talk is front-page news

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Whatever Mariella Frostrup's strong views on Liberia or the Orange Prize, they cannot compete with the engulfing tide of interest in her bra-wearing habits. The word "bra", like "Israel" or "Palestine", triggers a global meltdown on the internet.

Sarah Sands: We call it high society because they only fly first class

Sunday, 3 April 2011

A new novel by Kay Burley, the Sky news presenter, promises to illuminate the corridors of power. The star of the book is "a sexy television reporter who will do anything (or anyone) to get to the top". No clues there, then. While it is the novel's sex scenes that entertained the press last week, an astute reviewer, Zoe Williams, noticed that the author and her fellow Westminster villagers were far more excited by business-class flights.

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