Table of contents for Bella 24 October 2023 in Bella

this week in bella This Sunday sees a new all-singing and all-dancing reality show hit our TV screens. Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream features 14 hopefuls competing for the two lead roles in the West End production of musical Mamma Mia!, based on the songs of Abba. Hosted by Zoe Ball, the wannabe stars will be judged by Alan Carr, Jessie Ware, theatre star Samantha Barks and ex-Glee actress Amber Riley on ITV's new show, which was shot in Greece. “It's so colourful, it's so fabulous, it's so fun. The show is like a Berocca for me,” says Alan. Zoe adds, “There were a couple of performances I'll never forget. I kind of fell in love with all of them [the contestants], and I'm hoping the audience will too.” The…

bella debate No Sarah Veness, 47, freelance journalist ‘I'd rather my kids focus on school work’ As a mum of two teens, I'd much rather they focused on school work, extra-curricular activities and their social lives than worried about working. My son is in his GCSE year at school. He wants to do A-levels and eventually go to university. After school, he has quite a bit of homework as well as revision. I'd rather he focused on his studies for the time being and used any spare time to relax or catch up with friends. My daughter plays on a local football team, has had ballet lessons for nine years, goes to Scouts and is about to take her Grade 3 piano exam. All of these things take time and…

As well as our five-a-day for fruit and veg, having 30 different plants in your diet each week will boost your biome. “It doesn't have to be large quantities,” says Jeannette. “Herbs and spices count, so if you even have some scrambled eggs in the morning, chop a few chives or dried dill on top. These plants have fibre and nutrients called polyphenols – delicious food for the gut bacteria. Eat the whole rainbow and you'll be ticking all of the right boxes – anything that comes from a plant is counted – tea and coffee included. But each plant food can only be counted once.” Here are some good ones to try: Herbs (fresh or dried), beans and pulses (tinned are fine), nuts and seeds, vegetables – as many…

escapes Why go? It takes just six hours to fly to the city of Montreal, Canada, and from there, a nippy two-and-a-half hour flight delivers you to the gorgeous Canadian isle of Newfoundland and Labrador. Here, you'll enjoy beautiful coastal villages, see incredible nature, and cruise the Atlantic Ocean searching for giant icebergs – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Lovers of the wild will be thrilled to spot whales, moose, and caribou, and for foodies, there's a very unique seafood dining experience on offer. Explore Your adventure to Newfoundland and Labrador starts the moment you touch down in Gander International Airport. Celebs from Marilyn Monroe to Queen Elizabeth II have graced the airport's modernist halls, and today, Gander even has a starring role on stage, thanks to the musical Come From Away.…

Gino D'Acampo is off to his Italian homeland, showing us to some hidden gems as well as sharing the well-kept food secrets of Italy's deep South in Puglia and Basilicata. From rugged mountains and ancient cave cities to beaches and clear turquoise waters, he proves the southern heel and sole of the country is Italy at its most epic! As ever, he is throwing himself into the communities and activities in the area and picking up as many foodie tips as possible. We caught up with Gino to find out more… What is the secret of the incredible food in Puglia and Basilicata? That area is known as tavoliere, which means – a big table. This is because in Puglia and Basilicata, everywhere you go is flat, there are no…

Julia Roberts Julia gave us Pretty Woman flashbacks in this grey Gucci short suit. The floaty shorts make for a more casual edge. Issa Rae From the oversize boxy style to the coordinating shirt dress underneath, it's a bright win for the actress in this bold ensemble. Anne Hathaway Anne has been sweeping the best dressed list lately and this Dion Lee contrast suit had to be one of our favourites. Elizabeth Hurley We love a head-totoe complete look, and this velvet suit is perfection. Liz accessorised with matching metallic shoes and clutch bag. Halle Bailey Meaning business, The Little Mermaid actress kept it short and sweet in a large black tuxedo-style dress and knee-high boots. Victoria Beckham Posh Spice kept it cool and chic at the premiere of Beckham…

After making his name as a West End star in productions like Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Aspects of Love, Michael Ball has turned his hand to multiple different careers over the years. Now 61, Michael ‘s an actor, a singer – performing both as a solo artist, even coming second at Eurovision in 1992, and in the infamous “Ball and Boe” duo alongside Alfie Boe – a presenter, and an author. First came his debut novel The Empire in 2022, and now he's releasing his memoir titled Different Aspects. Bella caught up with Michael, who is celebrating an incredible 34 years with partner Cathy McGowan, to find out what he's up to. Your memoir Different Aspects is hooked on you being a member of the original cast…

New launch Hyaluronic acid Probably the most talked about beauty ingredient of them all, this moisture-preserving must-have keeps skin cells hydrated, which in turn strengthens, smooths and plumps your complexion for a more youthful appearance. Ceramides As we get older there is a significant decrease in our skin's production of lipid molecules, which can lead to diminished barrier function, which can in turn lead to complexion discolouration, dry skin and scaly patches. Ceramides can restore this to help protect your complexion from pollution and other nasties, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin soft and smooth. New launch Retinoids Derived from Vitamin A, the term “retinoids” refers to a group of ingredients, including retinol, retinal and retinyl, that all mimic the benefits of Vitamin A. Mostly found in night-time anti-ageing…

KITTING OUT THE KITCHEN WITH Kilner, renowned as a kitchen classic across the globe, is a must for those who enjoy creating homemade food and looking for a more sustainable way to store their wares. These new Wide Mouth Jars (RRP from £3) are perfect for pickling or preserving homegrown fruits and vegetables. Available from Kilnerjar.co.uk TREATING OURSELVES TO While matcha is now familiar to most, functional mushrooms powders are having a moment. With transformative powers to improve sleep, energy, focus, mood, skin and libido, mushroom powders are full of goodness and can easily be incorporated into your day. Dirtea Matcha blend is the perfect cross between the two: the benefits of matcha with the addition of functional mushrooms, all in one drink. For less than £2 a cup, mix…

Get crafty and add some wire decorations to your pumpkins Take the look to the next level by adding bedding in pumpkin prints and stylish leaf motifs Shed some light on the occasion with a funky lantern…

TV WEEK Sir Lenny Henry has been inspired by his mother's journey to Britain in the late 1950s and penned new drama Three Little Birds. With elements of the stories his mum, aunt and best friend have told him about their life in the years following the Windrush. We found out more from Sir Lenny, 65, about this very personal project… How would you describe the three main characters? Though she's a fictional character, the spirit of my mum lives in Leah (Rochelle Neil), who is like John Wayne but in a skirt! She is a stoic. She doesn't take any crap from anyone and she knows her stuff. She will fight for her friends and her family. Chantrelle (Saffron Coomber) is the flighty clown who wants to be a…

Royal watch Fans of The Crown can rejoice, as the sixth and final series of Netflix's drama is to air next month. Spanning 1997 through to 2005, the first chapter will debut on 16 November, with the last six episodes following on 14 December. Can't wait! Pretty in pink Kate Garraway was all smiles as she walked the red carpet at the Pride of Britain Awards, despite revealing her husband Derek Draper, 56, isn't well. “He's not doing great, to be honest. But the battle goes on,” said the GMB star, 56. Guests of honour Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, 57, and his new wife Melissa Spalding, 39, stopped by at the Dingles’ home on Emmerdale last week. “Great to see you both,” star Lisa Riley said. Wonder which family…

celeb interview More used to grilling politicians and MPs, Krishnan Guru-Murthy is now under the spotlight on Strictly Come Dancing. The news presenter, 53, has been showing off his moves on the famous dance floor as he hopes for Glitterball glory with his professional dance partner Lauren Oakley. Formerly feeling “overweight and unattractive” in his words, he reveals that he “can't stop smiling” after losing 2st 7lbs, which has pleased his “hot” wife Lisa. The couple, who have been married for 18 years, have daughter Jasmine, 18, and son Jay, 16. We catch up with Krishnan to find out more… Having been in high-pressure situations plenty of times throughout your career as a news journalist, do you still get nervous before the live shows? Absolutely, yes. It's really nerve-wracking –…

Girl dinners, the TikTok trend taking the world by storm, showcases the way women eat when they are alone, free from the expectations of their partners or kids. This way of eating – a plate filled with different delicious foods – celebrates simple indulgence. No need to cook and wash up for hours, and no spending a fortune on calorific takeaways. It's a way of eating many of us are already familiar with (Nigella Lawson calls it “picky bits”), but perhaps haven't quite fine-tuned to reap positive body benefits. We reveal ten healthy and slimming ways to enjoy your girl dinners, with tips from two of our favourite nutrition and women's health experts. 1. Make your plate a filling one If you fill your plate with lots of carb-rich foods,…

We now know that bacteria isn't necessarily a dirty word – the bugs in our belly can be of the friendly variety. An array of products and supplements promise to replenish the good stuff and alleviate choic pain, bloating and other tummy troubles, and the latest research has shown the benefits to bacteria go way beyond staying regular and a flat tummy. These microorganisms unlock good health. Fermented foods are a great choice The key is the microbiome. “The gut microbiome refers to all of the microbes in your intestines,” says Jeannette Hyde, author of The Gut Makeover: 4 Weeks to Nourish Your Gut, Revolutionise Your Health and Lose Weight (Quercus Books) and a Nourish with Jeannette subscription-only nutrition newsletter Love Food, Worry Less. “In the past, while gastroenterologists were aware…

Foe Married couple Hen and Junior live on a secluded farm that's been in Junior's family for generations. However, their quiet life is thrown into turmoil when a stranger shows up at their door with startling news – Junior will be sent to a space station, while Hen will be left in the company of a robot. A psychological thriller exploring the nature of humanity. Talk To Me Rotten Tomatoes’ highest-rated horror film of 2023 is out on DVD from 23 October, just in time for Halloween. The movie follows a group of teens who discover how to conjure spirits with an embalmed hand. They're hooked on the party game – until terrifying supernatural forces are unleashed. The Beginning of Everything by Jackie Fraser (Simon&Schuster) Jess is running, leaving all…

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