Gavin & Stacey star Mathew Horne is asking Brits to Step Into Christmas by delivering his top tips for taking the perfect care of your tree this festive season.

Fun-loving Essex boy Horne, 43, is offering the nation tongue-in-cheek advice for keeping their decorations in optimum condition and has revelled in transforming his house into a ‘grotto.’

The actor and comedian has joined forces with B&Q to produce a humorous – yet insightful – video that sees him surrounded by a home full to the brim with B&Q Christmas decorations.

But the main event remains the all-important tree itself, with Horne – who memorably starred in two hilarious Gavin & Stacey Christmas Specials in 2008 and 2019 – diligently taking viewers through the process from farm to home.

Horne gets hands-on putting up his tree and after delivering a series of useful tips and tricks, says he loved immersing himself in a ‘double-win’ experience as the countdown to Christmas intensifies.

Horne, who performed a rendition of Elton John’s iconic hit Step Into Christmas alongside James Corden in the 2019 edition of the BBC show’s festive special, said: “Who knew there was so much to learn about the Christmas tree.

“Not only have I learnt a lot, but now my house looks like a Christmas grotto! Double win for me.”

Horne delves into the best things we can do to help our trees look fresh and full this Christmas, including letting it out of its net wrapping as soon as you get it home, keeping it away from radiators and giving your ‘fir’-y friend a dash of water.

He also gets a helping hand from Gran as B&Q – who alongside their growers, spend years nurturing their Christmas trees – get Brits across the nation firmly in the festive spirit.

And with the assistance of Horne, B&Q have also created top tips to ensure the nurturing continues once customers get their trees home. 

They include carefully choosing your tree of choice by taking into account factors like variety, size, shape, colour, bushiness and scent, in addition to getting in early to ensure picking the cream of the crop.

And removing your tree from its netting as soon as you get home – to stabilise its shape – keeping it hydrated and cutting 2-3cm off the trunk are also important ways of maintaining its tip-top condition.

B&Q are also encouraging holiday-loving Brits to speak to their local council about picking up and recycling your tree, while for those with a pot-grown tree, it’s important to keep it well-watered throughout the festive period before transferring it to a bigger pot in a sheltered, surrounded garden position after December 25th.

B&Q’s video with Horne is a must-watch this Christmas and Mairi Devlin, Head of Horticulture at the company, added: “Having Mathew on board to present our Christmas tree masterclass has been an honour.

“His humour and wit really brought our masterclass to life, and we hope, thanks to him, everyone’s Christmas tree thrives this year.”

B&Q’s Christmas trees are available in store from 19th November, starting from just £19. As an exciting enticement for customers this season, B&Q is offering the opportunity to order and pay for your Christmas trees online and then come in store to hand-pick your tree in person from one of B&Q’s Christmas tree ‘forests’ in their garden centre.