Table of contents for 1 October 2024 in Bella

Pop stars Emma Bunton and Rita Ora and Strictly favourites Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec are among the celebs supporting this year’s BBC Children In Need fundraising appeal. Also backing the campaign are ex-Olympians Jessica Ennis-Hill and Ellie Simmonds, plus Tom and Giovanna Fletcher, who have designed the 2024 official charity T-shirt. With this year’s campaign aiming to help make life lighter for kids, the celebs have shared advice to their younger selves. ‘Looking back on my childhood, I would say to believe in your heart, trust yourself, be strong and be who you wannabe,’ Spice Girl Emma, 48, said. It Takes Two host Janette, 40, added, ‘When I was younger, I was fortunate to have a family that actively encouraged me to dream big, but not every child is…

No ‘There are significant health risks’ Carol Driver, 47, journalist and PR consultant I agreed to let my seven-yearold daughter get a kitten on the condition that nobody kiss her on the mouth. Why? Well, for starters, I’ve walked in on Ruby-Kitty licking her bum (need I say more?). Why on earth would I want to let her mouth anywhere near mine? The same goes for any pet – including dogs. I understand that the bond is undeniable (and so on) and kissing your furry friend may seem like a harmless way to show affection – but not to me. All that germ-filled slobber is such a vile thought! And the reality of the situation is that swapping saliva with your pet carries significant health risks Pets – especially cats…

1 Keep up with the salads Don’t keep salads just for summer. A sudden dip in fibre can make you feel bloated and hungry. ‘Try warm salads that perfectly suit the colder months, have raw veg as an appetiser instead of fried foods, and salsa rather than creamy dips,’ says Dr Deborah Lee from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy (doctorfox.co.uk). 2 Exercise outside ‘Exercising outdoors in the cool can help boost your metabolism. The body works harder to maintain its core temperature, increasing calorie burn. This thermogenic effect can aid in weight management and improve overall fitness,’ says Dean Zweck, Product Development Manager at Total Fitness (totalfitness.co.uk). 3 Enjoy lower-calorie comfort food Cooler weather can make us crave warming comfort foods, but these can be high in calories. So, we’re loving…

• Make sure you’re claiming any extra money or support you’re entitled to. Mind’s website has advice and guidance on how to claim benefits. • Tell someone you trust about the warning signs you might be struggling with regarding your mental health. This could be a loved one, a support worker or health professional like your GP. • Get to know your money and mood patterns. Try keeping a diary of your spending and your mood, to record what you spend and why. This can help you plan for difficult times. • Delete apps and give your cards to someone you trust if overspending is a problem. • Set aside a regular time for tasks like paying bills. • Get help managing any debts. Reach out to a free professional debt…

A woman has been trolled after admitting to stripping in her garden to get a tan - and then refusing to put her clothes back on when the neighbours complained. So we ask, is it OK to sunbathe naked in your own garden? Yes! Being naked is great and we should be getting the sun on all of our bits. But try to pick a spot where your neighbours won’t see or give them a heads up beforehand. Char R, via email I would not sunbathe naked in my own garden, on a nudist beach or anywhere. It just invites unnecessary attention. Anon, via email We should be allowed to do whatever we want in our own gardens, provided we’re not breaking any rules. Saying that, I would make sure…

Oti Mabuse Thirty-four-year-old presenter Oti’s monochrome look was the gift that kept on giving thanks to the huge on-trend bow across her chest. Amy Dowden The Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, wowed in a vibrant-pink asymmetric gown with a thigh-high slit – perfect for dancing the night away. Alison Hammond This Morning’s Alison, 49, made a style statement in a stunning black and white gown from Club L London, paired with black pointed heels. Cat Deeley Presenter Cat, 47, dazzled on the red carpet in her slinky scarlet dress. The one-shoulder detail was spot-on for accentuating her décolletage. Ranvir Singh The Good Morning Britain host, 47, channelled the roaring ’20s in this Gatsby-style embellished frock – talk about putting on the Ritz! Dame Mary Berry Queen of baking Mary, 89,…

Step one: cleanse regularly It’s important to cleanse your skin morning and night to remove make-up and impurities that will otherwise clock your pores and dull your complexion. Liz Earle Cleanse & Glow Transforming Gel Cleanser,£30, is packed with acerola cherry, black bee honey and elderberry seed oils to purify, brighten and soften skin. For a barrier-boosting cleanse that will make you glow, opt for Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser, £10.99, which features ceramides, liquorice root and green tea to deeply nourish and protect skin. Foam it up with Beauty Pie Super Healthy Skin Foamy Face Wash, £15 or £25 for non-members, which will leave your complexion looking super-refreshed. Great for combination and oily skin Step two: chemically exfoliate Alpha, beta and poly hydroxy acids are exfoliating acids that work wonders…

Wellness walks Travelling around the city is easy, with plenty of cycle paths and reasonably priced public transport (a day tram pass costs eight euros), although most people opt to walk. We took a ‘happiness stroll’ around the centre, where you will find plenty of impressive architectural sights, many of which are located next to each other. The new central Oodi Library is breathtaking, and a functional social space for residents of the city. A coffee enjoyed on the terrace while indulging in some people-spotting is a must. The Amos Rex art museum is housed under the now famous skylights of Lasipalatsi Square, where friends congregate and share their news. The Central Railway Station is also well worth a visit. An experience to remember A recent report declared Finland the…

FILM Megalopolis Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film is a Roman epic fable set in an imagined Modern America. In the city of New Rome, change must come, which causes conflict between idealist Cesar (Adam Driver) and Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), who’s committed to maintaining greed and warfare. Torn between them is the mayor’s daughter Julia (Nathalie Emmanuel), whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties. Which way will she turn? EVENT Guys & Dolls Get swept up into the action of the lovable musical at the Bridge Theatre in London. Immersive tickets will make you feel like you’re part of the play, while elevated stages give plenty to see. With barrels of laughs and hits to sing along to, it’s one of the most enjoyable shows in the capital…

BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT JUDGES Ant McPartlin, 48, cheekily jumped into a photo with BGT judges Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams at auditions in 2017. JENNIFER LOPEZ As J.Lo, 55, tried to get a selfie of herself at the Oscars in 2015, she was upstaged by Jennifer Aniston, 55, and her then-fiancé Justin Theroux, 53. ANDREW GARFIELD Wonder if Andrew, 41, knew that his photo op at the AFI Awards Luncheon was upstaged by fellow actor Marlee Matlin, 59, in 2022? BONO & U2 Benedict Cumberbatch, 48, showed off his silly side as he surprised U2 at the 2014 Oscars. JESSICA BIEL You’d expect your partner to be supportive, but perhaps not for Jessica, 42. Her thunder was taken by her husband Justin Timberlake, 43, while at…

Ruth Langsford has reportedly hired a ‘fearsome’ lawyer to represent her in the presenter’s upcoming divorce proceedings, as ex Eamonn Holmes showed off his new romance with Katie Alexander while on holiday. The Loose Women star, 64, has signed up Catherine Costley after being ‘shocked’ and ‘hurt’ over photos of Eamonn looking ‘loved-up’ in Ibiza with the 42-year-old relationship counsellor, even patting her bottom in one pic. ‘Ruth is putting her best foot forward and holding her head up high. She has hired one of the best lawyers in the business so she can protect her future after decades of hard work in the industry,’ a source says. ‘She has been left shocked by Eamonn’s public display of affection towards Katie and has found it hurtful.’ Ruth’s decision to lawyer-up…

As Prince Harry celebrated his milestone 40th birthday in California earlier this month, he received a string of well wishes from around the world. But there were two poignant messages that stood out above the rest – the ones from his family amid their ongoing rift. In a surprise move, his brother Prince William and father King Charles took to social media to pay tribute to the Duke of Sussex on 15 September. ‘Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to the Duke of Sussex,’ William and his wife Kate Middleton, both 42, wrote. In a separate post, the monarch, 75, shared, ‘Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!’ While the celebratory messages were simple, they no doubt held a huge significance to Harry, who has had strained…

Mental health experts have long known about the link between poor mental health and money worries. A UK study from lender Creditspring showed 29% of people say that their mental health has significantly worsened as a direct result of the cost-of-living crisis, and a fifth say that this is now the worst their mental health has ever been because of money worries. ‘The threat of financial instability, uncertainty and even potential financial losses are unsettling for most people,’ says psychotherapist Vicky Reynal, author of Money On Your Mind (Lagom, £16.99). ‘Economic crises are an obvious external stressor that can fuel money conflict in couples: uncertainty, job insecurity and rising costs can generate all sorts of anxieties in the individual and make any money conversations more stressful.’ The mind-body connection Financial…

Picture this Alan Carr’s Picture Slam, Saturday 28 September, BBC1 Prepare to start shouting at the screen again, for all the right reasons, as Alan Carr returns with his Picture Slam quiz show. Each question is essentially a picture round and contestants will need to guess all four rounds correctly to win the big bucks. Simple eh? And this series we can all get involved, with the new Picture Twist and buzzer rounds. ‘I love playing along too in the studios – but I don’t shout the answers out, obviously!’ laughs Alan. WEDDING BELLE Vicky Pattison: Destination Wedding, Wednesday 2 October, E4 Wedding season is not quite over for us yet, as we get to accompany Vicky Pattison on her journey to the altar. They’ve had their legal ceremony but…

We’re back in the nation’s most famous tent – once again pitched in the iconic grounds of Welford Park – for a brand-new series of The Great British Bake Off. Paul, 58, Prue, 84, Alison, 49, and Noel, 51, meet new hopefuls looking to impress with their creations (and avoid a soggy bottom). Over tea and cakes, the TV faves talk larks on set, drinks off camera, battling nerves – and meeting A-listers… Is this series the best yet? Noel: It might be, you know… Paul: The bakers are more polished – they came out of the box being very good it seems, so we’re taking the cream now. The standard was exceptional; they’re almost the finished article before they even come in. Noel: They’re getting younger as well. There’s…