Table of contents for 17 February 2026 in Bella

Aveteran of comedy, US-born Ruby Wax – who now lives in the UK with producer and director husband Ed Bye – has kept us entertained for the past four decades making unforgettable interviews with big names like Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Sarah Ferguson. Behind the laughs, Ruby has also been refreshingly open about mental health, sharing her own struggles with bipolar disorder and depression. Taking on a whole new challenge last year, the mum of three, 72, entered I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here and – while YouTuber Angry Ginge, aka Morgan Burtwistle, took the crown – she won a new legion of fans with her straight-talking wit and Jungle ‘romance’ with Kiosk Kev. Ruby catches up with Bella a few weeks after her Oz experience to share…

With a sinking heart, I listened as yet another one of my female friends told me she’d started her period. It was 2006 and I was 14, yet still there was no sign I would be the next one to share the news of starting mine. I confided my fears to my mum Sue, who reassured me it would happen. ‘Let’s wait until your 15th birthday before we start to worry,’ she said. My birthday came and went, so Mum took me to the GP who sent me for an MRI and ultrasound scan. The diagnosis was something we’d never heard of – the doctor told me I had a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKH) which meant my womb and the top part of my vagina was underdeveloped. She said…

As the scent of spices filled the air, I marvelled at the blue washed buildings. I can’t believe I’m finally here, I thought. For years, visiting the mountain village of Chefchaouen in Morocco, or ‘the blue diamond’ as people called it, had been on my bucket list. It was June 2023, and at 46 years old and single with nothing tying me down, I’d decided to embrace adventure and booked my flight. My next stop was Marrakesh. I’d always wanted to live there, so I was using this opportunity to see if I could make my dream a reality. Walking the streets with my camera in hand, I spotted some graffiti on a barber shop door. I started snapping away when I noticed a young man with beautiful brown eyes,…

As the steaming-hot curry arrived, I watched as my husband Angus piled some on to his plate. But while he hungrily tucked in, I was too nervous to even pick up my fork. It was September 2021, and while the two of us had been having issues for the past couple of years, I knew we couldn’t continue like this for much longer. I blurted out the words I’d been putting off. ‘I want a divorce,’ I said. Angus and I had been together for 26 years – married for 24 – and we had five beautiful children together. We’d had our ups and downs over the years and had been talking about separating for a while. Now, I was sure it was the right thing for us and was…

Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service announced that it would not be charging Lucy Letby, who was found guilty of murdering seven babies, and attempting to murder six others, for further offenses. But her guilt is something that Letby’s friend Maisie*, who has stayed anonymous, continues to struggle with. In a new Netflix documentary, which examines the case and features testimonies from investigators and new footage of Letby, Maisie speaks out for the first time. She said, ‘I questioned if she presented one side to me and a different side to others. But I can’t believe it. I know people think that I support a baby murderer, but she’s my friend.’ In August 2023, Lucy Letby, now 36, became the most prolific serial killer of children in modern British history,…

SAVE £30 EVERY MONTH If you fancy trying Jane Plan, then we’ve got a fabulous £30 off every month for you! Our tester Linda tried Jane’s 1200 calorie weight-loss plan and loved it. ‘It was brilliant having all my meals and snacks delivered. Excellent taste, quality and value for money. I lost a stone in 28 days without feeling deprived.’ Go to janeplan.com for delicious meals delivered to your door and get the support you need from nutritionists to achieve your weight-loss goals the easy way. For the exclusive £30 monthly discount use code ‘BELLA30’ at checkout at janeplan.com or call 0800 612 9077. Offer expires 31 March 2026. Offer includes free standard delivery every month. Only one discount code per order and must be used at the time of…

ARIES 21 Mar – 19 Apr With the Moon spurring you to get ahead, plus serious Saturn entering your sign, you can achieve great things in both life and love. Being in charge is not just a rising desire, it could feel like a must for you. Only the best is good enough, and if you want the best, it’s down to you to lead the charge! Watch out, world… Aries is ready for action! TAURUS 20 Apr – 20 May It never rains but it pours. You could be progressing full steam ahead with one project, when another demands your immediate attention. Multitasking isn’t your go-to strategy, but you could wind up doing exactly that. Jump in, do as much as you can all at once, and that should…

DUA LIPA AND CALLUM TURNER Singer Dua, 30, and Callum, 35 – who got engaged last year – clearly left subtlety at home as the actor couldn’t keep his hands off the One Kiss singer. CRUZ BECKHAM AND JACKIE APOSTEL The youngest Beckham son, 20, and girlfriend Jackie, 30, are clearly mad for each other – with Cruz’s wandering hand giving fans plenty to talk about too. KYLIE JENNER AND TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET Marty Supreme actor Timothée, 30, brought Hollywood cool courtside, sporting some funky shades as he cosied up to girlfriend Kylie, 28, at a very public date night watching the NBA play-offs. STACEY SOLOMON AND JOE SWASH Joe, 44, and Stacey, 36, reeled in the romance during a fishing trip recently. The pair – who live in Pickle Cottage…

Judy Finnigan has welcomed Carol Kirkwood to retirement after the weather presenter announced she was stepping away from the BBC after over 25 years. Judy, 77, who famously retired from presenting after a hugely successful career, which including co-hosting This Morning with husband Richard Madeley for 13 years, said, ‘Come on in, Carol – the water’s lovely!’ Judy stepped away from the small screen in 2018 aged 70, explaining her decision was about reclaiming her life after decades in live TV. ‘I did it for 30-odd years and the kind of TV I was doing was full-on,’ she said. ‘It completely sucks up your life… I wanted my own life instead.’…

Phillip Schofield After abruptly cutting her off mid-sentence on Loose Women in 2019, Ruth reportedly felt ‘demeaned’ by the former This Morning host. With her book now coming out, Phil, 63, may be worried his past scandal will be dragged back into the spotlight. Holly Willoughby There are fears about the wider ripple effect of the tell-all memoir, with ITV colleagues, including Holly, 44, concerned it could stir up old controversies. ‘Holly doesn’t want the drama revived,’ our source notes. Jeff Brazier Former reality star Jeff may be relieved that his recent on-air clash with Ruth came too late to be included in her book. The presenter accused her of eating up his airtime. Coleen Nolan Although they’re now on good terms, Coleen Nolan could be wary of Ruth’s tell-all,…

Bella speaks to the stars at the TV Choice Awards When Emmerdale actor Bradley Riches entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2024, he didn’t expected to leave with not just new fans, but also an incredible friendship with Sharon Osbourne. What began as a surprise connection on reality TV has blossomed into a real-life bond, and the pair are often seen together away from the cameras. Chatting to Bella at the TV Choice Awards, Bradley laughed about their breakfast meet-ups. ‘Well, I’d be happy with a Maccie’s breakfast, but for [the Osbournes], it’s Claridge’s,’ he says. ‘We saw each other for breakfast the other day and Sharon was like, “We’ll meet you at Claridge’s,” and I was like, “Okay, this is a bit bougie for me,” but I went…

Plump it up As skin loses moisture and collagen over time, it can appear less plump. Peptides tell your skin to build more collagen for a firmer, smoother texture, while hyaluronic acid traps moisture. For best results, apply a hyaluronic acid serum to clean, damp skin, then follow with a peptide-powered cream. Stay bright For a more radiant complexion, look no further than vitamins C and E. Both are packed with antioxidants, helping to protect skin cells from environmental factors, such as pollution, while nourishing and targeting dull skin. Use a vitamin C serum after your morning cleanse, followed by a vitamin E cream to really enhance that lit-from-within glow. Clean & refine If hormonal changes have made you more prone to breakouts, try switching to a salicylic acid cleanser.…

BEFORE 13.5st Size 16 Sitting at my desk, I felt unusually distracted. As my stomach rumbled, I checked the time. It was 1pm, but as someone who always managed without lunch, I was surprised to be feeling so hungry. Giving into my growling tum, I made myself a tuna salad. That evening, I found that again, I was hungrier than normal. I cooked one of my usual heathy dinners of lentils, rice and salad, but found myself going for seconds. As the next few weeks passed, I noticed my jeans weren’t zipping up quite so easily and lines were gathering around the buttons on my shirt where it was pulling. It came as a surprise, as I’d always been able to maintain my 10st weight and size 12 frame. I…

Stirring butter and sugar in a bowl, I reached for the flour to make fairy cakes. Glancing at my gorgeous 13-year-old girls Jade and Josie, I caught a cheeky glint in their eyes. Before long, we were flinging flour at each other, laughing and leaving the kitchen looking like it had been in a blizzard! Later, after helping to clean up the mess, Jade snuggled up to me on the sofa at our home in Kent. ‘That was so much fun, Mum,’ she smiled. From a young age, Jade and her identical twin would get into mischief – from escaping out of their cots to pretending to be the other one at school. The twins were fiercely loyal and protective of each other. They also cherished their brother, who was…

PRIZE crossword WIN £200 Solve the crossword to find, reading from top to bottom in the shaded squares, the name of a British actor. This is your competition entry answer. See the ‘How to enter’ panel, below right. Across At a brisk speed (7) Down COMPETITION AND GIVEAWAY RULES Competitions open to residents of the UK (including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), Eire or BFPOs, aged 18 or over, except Bauer Media employees, its affiliated companies, any promotional partners, or their families and anyone connected with the competitions. Enter by text, online or phone. No purchase necessary. Answers must be the product of own work. Unless expressly stated, travel expenses and spending money is not included. There is no cash alternative to prizes and no alternative holidays can…

PRETTY IN PINK Designed for low-impact movement, this Good Move Low Impact Seamless Non Wired Sports Bra, M&S, £18, is an effortless essential. The pull-on style offers a smooth, seamless feel, while breathable, moisture-wicking fabric keeps you cool and dry. Removable padding lets you personalise the support and shape for all-day comfort during workouts and everyday wear. GUT FRIENDLY Fermented drinks are booming, and this FIX8 Water Kefir Raspberry Lemonade, Waitrose, £2.85 is a lighter, fruit-led alternative rich in live cultures. Naturally fermented with real fruit, FIX8 offers a gently sparkling, probiotic-packed drink with no added sugar. ON THE RUN Meet your new go-to everyday trainer. Whether you’re taking the dog for a walk, jogging through the park or picking the kids up from school, these Everlast Kaiso trainers, sportsdirect.com,…

£50 Star letter Amazing Dottie What a lovely story ‘Our beautiful Dottie has an army behind her’ (issue 03) was to read. Lauren and Mark’s daughter, who was born with Down Syndrome, can lead a healthy and fulfilled life with the right support and emotional network in place. She may have additional needs but that will not stop her enjoying life to the full. You go, Dottie! Kendra Seville, Birkenhead Hello, Dolly! It was a joy to read your interview with the icon Dolly Parton (issue 03), who has turned 80. Refreshingly honest about her life, the loss of her husband and enhancing her looks, Dolly radiates warmth and likeability. I wish Dolly a great time as she enters a shiny new decade. Manisa Kuinkel, Middlesex GET IN TOUCH Write:…

Beyoncé and Jay-Z are reportedly set to snatch up 58 acres of Cotswolds paradise, just minutes from Great Tew, where the Beckhams, Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres already call home. The couple even flew in by helicopter last summer to scout the land during her Cowboy Carter World Tour. But locals aren’t celebrating. Dog walkers fear their beloved fields and lake could vanish behind superstar gates. ‘It’s sad because she’ll probably come once a year, if that,’ moaned one villager. With plans for a seven-bedroom mansion, footpaths may be blocked and traffic could skyrocket. For locals, peaceful walks may soon be a thing of the past.…

Keep it tonal Mix and match shades of the same colour palette for an effortlessly chic finish Dress to impress The clever ruching on this frock will create a streamlined silhouette - perfect for date night Best vest A knitted tank top is brilliant for adding warmth. Layer over a shirt for a fashion-forward ensemble Fresh florals This plush pink coat will look great with jeans and a jumper, too Joyful jumper Brighten up your wardrobe with a bold, playful statement knit that adds a burst of joy…

Catching sight of something colourful around my date Gav’s waist, I chuckled. It was the first time we’d met in person, and he was wearing a Superman belt! ‘I had a Superman suit as a kid,’ he told me, his eyes twinkling. ‘I still love that stuff.’ Although I was just 20 and Gav was 35, when he told me about his passion for all things superhero, I fell for his childlike enthusiasm. Gav and I met by accident in 2014, when he’d mistakenly added me as a friend on Facebook. We got chatting and decided to meet at a restaurant near my home in Chesterfield. We stayed up talking until 5am, and the next day we had another date. The day after that, Gav sent me a huge bouquet…

Just because you’re trying to lose weight doesn’t mean your food can’t be really yummy and nutritious. We’ve teamed up with Jane Michell from Jane Plan, a UK pre-prepared healthy meal delivery company (as loved by comedian Helen Lederer, former model Samantha Fox and Shaun Wallace, AKA The Dark Destroyer from The Chase) to give you a flavour-packed plan. Jane says, ‘This tasty plan is portion and calorie-controlled, with a balance of healthy carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats. As well as losing weight (around five pounds in seven days), you’ll feel satisfied, lighter and full of energy.’ HOW TO FOLLOW THE PLAN ● Eat around 850 calories a day for the first week, with a breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Have a snack if you feel peckish, like…

Tip Alternatively, instead of Step 7, stack slices of the banana bread and drizzle over the ganache, followed by the warmed cashew butter Gluten-free gone bananas bread Serves 8-10 Takes 1hr 25-30min, plus cooling and setting 245g rice flour 100g packed dark brown sugar 1tsp baking soda ¼tsp salt 3 ripe medium bananas, mashed until smooth 1 egg 110g unsalted butter, melted 3tbsp cashew butter 1tsp pure vanilla extract 90g dark chocolate chips 60g chopped walnuts FOR THE CHOCOLATE GANACHE GLAZE 60ml double cream 100g dark chocolate, chopped 2tbsp cashew butter 1tsp honey (to thin, optional) 1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C. Line a 23cm x 13cm loaf tin with baking paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. 2 In a medium bowl, combine the rice flour, brown sugar, baking powder and the salt,…

Is this why I’ve never been in love? Q I was sexually abused by my piano teacher between the age of 11 to 13. I tried telling my mum that I didn’t want to go any more, but she just thought I was being lazy. I never touched the piano at home, but she still made me go. Looking back, I think I felt in some way to blame for what was happening, so I was worried about telling my mum in case she thought it was all my fault too. Eventually, after nearly two years, I broke down when it was time to go to the lesson and told her that I didn’t like how he touched me. She was shocked but didn’t ask me any more about it…