Table of contents for Bella 15 August 2023 in Bella

this week in bella We can hardly believe it, but the Queen of Pop, Madonna turns 65 next week. And while the music legend is far from thinking about retirement, this landmark birthday is set to be a quieter affair than usual for the attention-loving Material Girl. After a shock health scare this summer – Madonna was found unconscious by family in June and had to recover from a serious bacterial infection in hospital – she’s had to scale back plans to focus on rest and recovery. As a result, her Madonna: The Celebration Tour is expected to start in London in October, instead of the planned North American leg opening it last month. “I have felt your love. I’m on the road to recovery and incredibly grateful for all…

Having been Phillip Schofield’s sidekick on the This Morning sofa for the past 14 years, Holly Willoughby is ready to step out of his tainted shadow. Telly insiders reveal that the 42-year-old presenter, who’s set to be the show’s main host when she returns next month, wants to take back control in the wake of Phil’s shock exit – and it seems like her summer holiday in Portugal has given her a new perspective and confidence to stand up for herself. “She really had an awakening this summer. Holly’s done playing the smiling nice girl and is now in her ‘taking no s**t’ era,” a source said. “She’s always come across as someone who was a team player, super-accommodating, a very motherly figure and always reasonable. She was the total…

From her Hear’Say days to her incredible run as Michelle Connor on the Corrie cobbles, Kym Marsh has enjoyed phenomenal singing and acting success. And now she’s busier than ever at 47, starring in Take That musical Greatest Days alongside her eldest daughter Emilie, 26. Proud mum Kym shares David, 28, and Emilie with ex David Cunliffe, and Polly, 12, with former Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas. Currently single since splitting from third husband Scott Ratcliff, Kym is also a doting YaYa – Greek for grandmother – to Emilie’s son Teddy, four, and Emilie’s stepdaughter Polly, seven, plus David’s son Clayton, 11 months. We caught up with her to talk family, Strictly, and her latest project in Manchester… Tess Daly said she’d never seen a more glamorous grandma in her life.…

As my daughter Lily sidled up to my partner Dean, I could see she had something on her mind. Fixing him with a serious look, she asked, “Are you and Mam going to get married?” Dean laughed and said, “I’m not marrying anyone!” “Well, can I start calling you Dad?” she replied. This overwhelmed Dean for a moment. Wiping a tear from his eye, he said, “Of course you can.” I welled up too because, after a rough few years, it finally felt like things were looking up for me and Lily. My previous relationship had been volatile, so I’d left, taking Lily with me. She’d stayed with my dad, David, for a while, although I’d made sure I was there every morning to take her to school, then at…

When Chantal Khoueiry met up with one of her newly-married friends in 2014 to discuss her big day, it didn’t take long for talk to turn to the price of wedding dresses. Her friend admitted hers had cost a staggering £12,000 – and after the day she put the gown in a box in the attic. Chantal, says, “I couldn’t stop thinking about how much money she’d spent on a dress she’d only wear once. It seemed ludicrous as that money could be going to a good cause.” Just months before meeting her friend for dinner to discuss her wedding, Chantal had returned from a trip to Africa to undertake advocacy work with communities in need. She says, “While visiting villages and schools, I was seeing girls as young as…

escapes It’s holiday season and all we dream about is lounging by the pool sipping an allinclusive cocktail before heading to the all-you-can-eat buffet. For the A-list, though, their holidays look a little different – we’re talking superyachts, private jets and luxury villas. While it’s a world away from what we know, we’ve got VIP concierge Aurel Gross to dish the dirt on what the stars actually get up to on their holidays. Obviously, Aurel has iron-clad confidentiality clauses, but we do know that he used to work for supermodels and lots of professional footballers. But despite his A-list clients, Aurel says that the job is definitely not as glamorous as it seems. “The life of a concierge is always unpredictable, as you never know what spontaneous requests you might…

FILM Gran Turismo When video-gamer Jann Mardenborough wins a competition to become a professional race car driver, his world is turned upside down. Joining forces with a team of underdogs, including a failed former race car driver and idealistic motorsport exec, the men risk it all to take on the elite sport. Based on an inspiring true story and starring big names David Harbour and Orlando Bloom. FILM Haunted Mansion Single mum Gabbie and her son Travis hire so-called spiritual experts – a tour guide, psychic, priest and historian – to help exorcise their newly bought mansion after discovering it’s inhabited by ghosts. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it’s a rebooted adaption of 2003’s rendition starring Eddie Murphy. EVENT Victorious Festival The Portsmouth-based festival returns to the Southsea…

Issa Rae A co-ord is always a classy choice for summer dressing and we can't get enough of Issa's beige St. Agni set that she wore to a Barbie event in LA. Ashley Roberts Ashley delivered another flawless street style look as she stepped out in silky satin co-ord, complete with matching retro sunglasses. Emma Roberts Top-to-toe neutrals have never looked so chic. Emma sported a full Tod's ensemble for their summer celebration and dinner party in the Hamptons. Nicole Kidman The actress was suited and booted in a super-sleek suit by Ferragamo to promote her latest role in the TV series Special Ops: Lioness. Jessica Alba Jessica aced the tailoring trend during Wimbledon, wearing an easy breezy linen waistcoat and matching trousers by CO. We loved her trendy slip-on…

Having been through a difficult few years, Fern Britton had an amazing achievement to celebrate last month – completing the Couch To 5k run challenge, just before her birthday. The TV presenter and author proudly showed off her newly slimmed down figure after she “graduated” from the accomplishment, four days ahead of her turning 66. “I’ve graduated, ahhhh. At the very end you get a virtual cup and a ‘congratulations’. No medal, but that doesn’t matter because I know I did it,” she said. Fans rushed to congratulate her. “Gosh you look amazing!” one supporter said, with another adding, “You look fabulous Fern, super trim.” ‘I did it – I feel pretty good’ The former This Morning star admitted she was feeling nervous ahead of her final run following the…

My legs were starting to ache, but I wasn’t ready to go home yet. So I looked at my dog Logan and said, “What do you reckon, another mile?” He let out a yelp in agreement, and we continued on tramping through the grass. In recent months I’d been trying to spend as little time as possible at home, which had meant my dog walks had become longer and longer. My husband and I were going through a divorce, but we were struggling to sell our house. As a result, we were still living together, which was far from ideal. Luckily, there was a lovely open green space nearby that four-year-old Logan – a Staffy Labrador cross – and I could head to when things got too much. Our route…

escapes Why Go? To experience Czechia – previously known as The Czech Republic – very few venture beyond the capital city of Prague. Labelled ‘The Heart of Europe’, the medieval architecture, galleries, good beer and vibrant nightlife make it the ideal city break. However, there’s something endearing about going against the crowds to explore the path less travelled. From the electric second city of Brno, with its hidden tunnels, mysterious legends and nuclear bunker, to the South Moravian wine region, where you’ll find vineyards and cycling trails galore, here are Czechia’s best kept secrets. The Second City Czechia’s second-largest city Brno may not be as well-known by tourists, but it’s certainly worth a visit. There are museums, galleries and eight different underground locations to explore, and an eclectic mix of…

Wedding season is in full swing and we have an all-access invitation to some diverse and lavish nuptials with new series, Ultimate Wedding Planner. Eight aspiring planners battle it out to pull off the ultimate event, as they help six very brave couples realise their dream day. Armed with a budget of £10,000, they are tasked with taking over the design and guest experience, and given just three days to fill the brief. Can they use their artistic skills and pull in enough entertainment to make it a day to remember? The planners need to impress three demanding judges: hospitality expert Fred Sirieix, craft and business guru Sara Davies and wedding planner to the rich and famous, Raj Somaiya. With exclusive mentoring from industry expert Raj up for grabs, and…

GOSSIP Meghan Markle and Victoria Beckham have fallen out amid claims of “indiscretion” and media leaks. Their five-year-long friendship is said to be “effectively over” after the Duchess of Sussex, 42, became convinced that the fashion designer, 49, had secretly spoken to the press and leaked some stories about them. After urging her husband Prince Harry to speak to Victoria’s husband, David, this reported “tense phone call ” caused a huge fracture between the two couples, according to sources. Football manager David, 48, is said to be “absolutely bloody furious” with the Sussexes’ accusations – especially having known Harry and his elder brother Prince William for over 13 years – and have decided to cut their ties with the couple. “Any making up now is so unlikely,” a source said.…

celeb news When she’s not working on getting ready to present ITV’s rebranded Big Brother, AJ Odudu’s relaxing at her beautiful home in south-east London. The presenter, 33, bought the threebedroom Victorian period conversion in June 2019, and has tastefully updated the property, with bold colours and bags of style. “The place was a mess, but I knew I wanted it as soon as I saw it,” she said. “It’s a Victorian property, so my plan was to restore the old features while giving it a modern and functional twist.” After gutting the property, AJ has converted it into her dream home – a light and airy space with lots of plants, and a gorgeous tribute to colour. “I love bright shades because they’re just so uplifting,” she revealed. “They…

better health None of us like to think of conditions such as anxiety or depression impacting our children, especially at a young age. Yet sadly, a recent study has found that one-in-six children aged seven to 16 are now likely to have a mental health problem, with that figure rising to one-in-four in teens aged between 17 and 19. In fact, staggeringly, experts report that half of all mental health conditions begin by the age of 14. Dr Gordon Milson is consultant clinical psychologist at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Stockport. He says, “Adolescence is the time when young people are striving for independence, whilst still being very much dependent. It’s tough at the best of times, but recent difficulties, such as…

For most of us, holidays, trips abroad and days out are such longed-for treats, the last thing we want is for anything to interrupt our enjoyment. So, it’s worth taking a few steps to nip travel sickness in the bud. The repeated motion and movement of many forms of transport can cause a wave of nausea or sudden feelings of being unwell. Though often associated with children, particularly those aged eight to 12, travel sickness can affect all ages and can hit even seasoned travellers unexpectedly. Thankfully, there are things we can do to ease the suffering and minimise discomfort. What is it exactly? Travel sickness, also known as motion sickness, is triggered by repeated movements when travelling, such as going over bumps in the road, waves in the sea,…

Murder most frequent! It’s hard to believe there would be another murder at the Arconia – but of course New York’s finest amateur sleuths Charles Savage, Oliver Putnam, and Mabel Mora are on hand to solve it. With an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, the gang have had blast making the third season as Selena says, “I’m not sure I have enough words to explain just how beautiful this season has been. It has been hilarious, challenging and, for me, an absolute dream.” She particularly treasured working with Streep, whom she “adores”. • Only Murders In the Building, Wednesday 8 August, Disney+ PAINFUL TRUTH Matthew Broderick stars in Painkiller, a fictionalised series exploring the origins and destructive aftermath of the opioid crisis in America, told from the viewpoint of the…

We’ve missed our favourite Essex couple Pam and Mick Shipman since Gavin and Stacey ended, so the news that co-stars and longtime mates Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb are reuniting for this new three-part series got us very excited. Away from the cameras, Alison, 76, and Larry, 75, have been friends for over 25 years, and their chemistry is just as real and funny as their alter-egos’. Taking to the road in an electric car to drive the iconic route from their characters’ home in Billericay to Barry Island in Wales, they stop off en route to visit places and people special to themselves and their much-loved characters. From planting trees together, to having a couple’s facial, riding the Barry Island dodgems and visiting some of their former co-stars, Alison…

CAT'S GOT YOUR TONGUE? Join Radio X DJ Adam Brown as he chats to celebrity cat owners to ask the probing questions all cat lovers want to know; from how they keep kitty entertained to what silly nicknames they have, and a demonstration of their special cat voice! Behaviourist Nicky Trevorrow is also on hand to answer any queries, discuss welfare and the positive impact that cats have on our lives. Produced in association with Cats Protection, Cat's Got Your Tongue? is going to be feline fun for everyone. THE VANISHED In these short, standalone 40-minute episodes, podcast host Marissa Jones explores the stories of people who’ve disappeared. Covering details of the last known movements of missing men, women and children, The Vanished is not only a fascinating listen for…