Table of contents for 26 November 2024 in Bella

As the echoes of Guy Fawkes night fade away, this year's Christmas TV adverts are popping up to ring in the most wonderful time of the year. We are seeing a lot of celebrity appearances and sharp genre parodies. Over at Marks & Spencer, you'll find a grumbling Dawn French getting help from a fairy ornament who comes to life and uses a little magic to make her Christmas spread look suitably luscious. Waitrose, meanwhile, have played into the whole 'cosy crime' drama trend with 'A Waitrose Mystery', which sees Succession's Matthew MacFadyen investigating the case of a missing Christmas dessert. Not only has he enlisted Line of Duty's Martin Compston and Vicky McClure to help out, but Fleabag's Sian Clifford and comedian Joe Wilkinson are among the suspects. But…

Brits abroad! They make for one unlikely friendship, but Jane McDonald, 61, and Gary Barlow, 53, jetted off to South Africa together for his new ITV travel show. On their trip, the pair delved into the world of winemaking, and sampled the best South Africa has to offer. Catch up on ITVX. All grown up Junior Andre, 19, looked the spitting image of dad Peter as he posed with sister Princess, 17, at the Arora Ball. The siblings were joined by Pete and his wife Emily MacDonagh. Wicked women Showing that pink and green can be seen, Ariana Grande, 31, and Cynthia Erivo, 37, looked like total besties at the Wicked premiere. The long-awaited musical hits cinemas later this month, and tells the origin story of the witches from The…

It's safe to say that Nadia Sawalha has had an incredible career, including a 25-year run on Loose Women and six successful cookbooks, all while raising her two daughters Maddie, 21, and Kiki, 16 – who she shares with husband of over two decades, Mark Adderley. And something Nadia, 59, has been working on recently is campaigning for cancer drug Enhertu to be available on the NHS in England and Wales. Nadia and three of her closest friends, including Hannah Gardner, who has incurable stage 4 breast cancer, are petitioning for more women to have access to the life-extending medication. Ahead of her 60th birthday next month, here Nadia sits down with Bella to chat about what's really important in life… You're about to turn 60 – how do you feel…

Browsing the rails of white dresses at the bridal shop, a sales assistant approached. 'Why don't you try one on?' she said, pushily. I didn't think any would fit but I felt pressured into taking one into the changing room. As I pulled the lacy gown on, it was as I feared – too small. I fled the shop without looking at anything else. When I'd first met my partner Mark at 17 in 2005, I'd been a size 12. But after having our first two kids, Nicole, now 17 and Lewis, 15, I'd started gaining weight. He'd proposed one night when I was filling the dishwasher – it was a total shock but I was ecstatic! I was excited to get married but there was one thing I dreaded…

Penélope Cruz The 50-year-old actor put a suitably glamorous twist on the coquette trend in a lacy white Chanel gown complete with a camellia flower and black bow. Kimberley Walsh Girls Aloud star Kim, 42, stunned at the Glamour awards in a statement scarlet style by Rachel Gilbert. Her dazzling necklace was the perfect finishing touch for showing off her décolletage. Sam Quek Strictly contestant Sam, 36, is the gift that keeps on giving as she was spotted in a Nadine Merabi ensemble with sparkly straps. Jennifer Lopez Never one to shy away on the red-carpet, J.Lo, 55, flaunted her figure in a shimmering Tamara Ralph dress teamed with disco-style platforms. Sofía Vergara Someone who always knows how to make a statement is Modern Family actor Sofía, 56, who put…

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle thought that moving to the US would be the end of their problems and lead them to enjoy a more private life away from the glare of the royal family. However, they are now facing the fact they may wind up homeless following the success of Donald Trump in the American election – if he gets his way. The pair were vocal critics of the Trump administration during his time as president from 2016-2020, and with him due back in office in January after beating Kamala Harris, it seems they are worried they could be booted out of America for good – and they face no good options for other places to go. 'His visa could be revoked' A source said, 'The Sussexes are genuinely…

No Sian Gregory, 38, journalist 'You can't confine joyful experiences' The crackers were on the table, and Mistletoe and Wine drifted from the radio. There was just one problem. I didn't like either of these things. But I was a stickler for tradition. For 38 years, we ate the same roast, we'd listen to our classic playlist, and then settle down to watch White Christmas. Then the pandemic happened. My parents were isolating, and my husband, two toddlers and I were confined to the house. Although devastated, we saw it as a chance to redesign the day – on our own terms. We traded Cliff Richard for Dolly Parton, we made a Mediterranean-style roast and we watched RuPaul's Drag Race. Letting go of the rules brought a new kind of…

MISSION CHRISTMAS cash for kids 'I couldn't believe the generosity of strangers,' says Helen Howells, 32, from Manchester Snuggled up on the sofa with my children, I took a sip of my tea. It was a Saturday night, and we were watching TV together before they went to bed. When the adverts came on, my eldest son Jake said, 'Mum, I want that computer game!' I felt a knot of anxiety in my tummy. 'We'll see, I replied. It was only November, but Christmas adverts were already promoting the latest toys. Later that night, I lay in bed, unable to sleep. I was a single mum and had no idea how I was going to be able to afford to buy my children, Jake, nine, Lily, six, and Daisy, three,…

City charm Steeped in history and located in the beautiful New England state of Massachusetts, Boston is the perfect getaway for those who crave a charming red-brick city escape. Perhaps less visited than New York or other US states, you'll be rewarded with fresh seafood, rich culture and water-based thrills. Or, take a detour to the kooky town of Salem, just a 50-minute ferry away, where you can engross yourself in the eerie surroundings. It won't take long for you to see why the population of Salem doubles every Halloween when they host their annual Halloween Happenings. History buffs A three-hour Freedom Trail tour will take you round the best historical sights the city has to offer. If you're lucky enough to be in town for 4 July, you'll hear…

As a second series of Fletchers' Family Farm returns, life for newbie agriculturalists Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz is more hectic that ever with their four energetic young children, the introduction of cows and plans for expansion. We sat down with former Emmerdale actor and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Kelvin, just after he had dropped his two eldest children off to school… What can we expect this series? In many ways, it's more of the same. But we are in new waters every episode, doing something that we've never done before. So, that is exciting and, at times, overwhelming. It's that constant sense of adventure. There is real jeopardy, where it's life and death with the livestock. The decisions that we make are so crucial and you have a…

celeb interview Coleen's jungle body blitz Coleen Rooney hit the gym hard ahead of her trip Down Under for I'm a Celeb this year. The 38-year-old model and TV star, who has sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven and Cass, five, with husband Wayne Rooney, took up weight-based exercises to ensure she looked her best for the jungle shower, doing Reformer Pilates classes. An insider said, 'Coleen has been hitting the Pilates sessions religiously and thrown herself into having a svelte physique so she looks amazing on screen. There will be younger women on the show with her and she, understandably, wants to feel confident in a bikini.' Speaking ahead of her stint on the show, which she's a huge fan of, she revealed one thing that doesn't worry…

In August 2023, after a nine-month trial, former nurse Lucy Letby, 34, was found guilty of murdering seven babies, and attempting to murder six others, during her time working as a neonatal nurse at the Countess of Chester Hospital in England. The guilty verdicts made Letby the most prolific serial killer of children in modern British history, and she is currently serving 15 whole-life sentences, meaning she will spend the rest of her life behind bars. Last month, Letby tried to appeal against her conviction for attempting to murder one premature baby girl, on the grounds that she hadn't received a fair trial. It took just two hours for three judges at London's Court of Appeal to refuse permission for Letby to challenge the conviction, but this remains a case…

Soup is a great way to help you hit your weight-loss goals. It's often a low-calorie option, is packed with vegetables and is filling, too, so will help stop you from snacking throughout the day. Here are six ways to make soup your slimming secret! 1 Filling and satisfying Many cultures eat soup as a starter before their main meal to up their vegetable intake. Soup can also suppress your appetite and help you control your calories at your main course, as it stays inside your stomach longer than solid food does. Research shows a bowl of soup before main meals can reduce your overall calorie consumption by 20%. 2 A cheap, low-calorie option A bowl of nutritious soup can be a quick and inexpensive meal. Registered Dietitian and author…

We've all felt the dread that comes with the start of a sore throat or a winter headache. Are you just getting a cold or is this the beginning of full-blown flu? And for many this can be very worrying. Dr Dave Nichols, NHS GP and registered doctor at MyHealthChecked, explains, 'While both flu and Covid normally lead to short, transient illnesses that resolve within a few days, for some, the effects can be severe and even life-threatening. 'Unfortunately, historical data suggests that case numbers will start to rise as we head towards winter, with flu cases normally peaking between December to February. This is why taking steps to prevent getting ill is so important. 'Thankfully, for most,' Dr Nichols adds, 'there are key measures you can take that will…

Keeping crafts Bill Bailey's Master Crafters: The New Generation, Tuesday 26 November, Sky Arts and NOW Bill Bailey is back for another wonderful series of the Sky show where traditional crafts in danger of being lost are celebrated – anything from blacksmithing and letter press printing, to mosaics and stone carving. He'll follow 12 talented craftspeople in the early stages of their career, being given the opportunity of a lifetime to expand their skills with bespoke masterclasses. Bill will also get hands-on himself as he visits some of Britain's cultural heritage sites to find out why it's so important that we keep these artforms alive. MAKING HISTORY The Making of Do They Know It's Christmas, Friday 29 November, BBC4 Recorded on 25 November 1984, Band Aid's groundbreaking charity single Do…