Table of contents for 11 February 2025 in Bella

Two years after she stepped into the shoes of a young Peggy Mitchell for a flashback episode, Jaime Winstone is reprising her EastEnders role as part of Phil’s ongoing mental health storyline. The actor, 39, will depict the iconic character (famously played by the late Barbara Windsor) in scenes where Phil experiences hallucinations from 1985, owing to symptoms of psychosis. After describing her debut in the BBC soap as ‘bookending her journey with Barbara’, Jaime said of her upcoming performance, ‘It was such an honour to be welcomed back to play Peggy Mitchell. To be able to contribute to this iconic family on this major storyline has been such a joyous and emotional journey and I truly hope I have done her justice. Thank you to all the EastEnders family,…

A star is born Born to a single mother on 5 February 1975, Alison was raised in a council house in the Birmingham suburbs. Her mother, Maria, quickly discovered that Alison’s father, Clifford, was already married with children, but he kept contact with Alison up until his death in 2020. Alison said, ‘My dad would arrive periodically, show his face, and go back to Jamaica.’ She added, ‘It didn’t bother me because I had my mum.’ Reality star As well as regularly appearing on This Morning, Alison has also featured on several reality shows over the years. In 2010, she competed on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! where she finished in 10th place. She then appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, where she once again finished 10th, and…

Walking into the living room, I saw two things I loved laid out before me. The first was my husband, Michael, sprawled on the sofa and selecting us a film on the TV. The other was an array of nuts, crisps, dips, biscuits and a bottle of wine. ‘Bliss,’ I thought before sitting down for the evening. While Michael and I had met in our 40s online, my love affair with food was lifelong. In my teens and 20s, I’d considered a portion of takeaway egg fried rice a snack between meals, yet stayed an effortless size 8 to 10. But with the births of my daughters, now 17 and 25, I’d piled on weight. Though my youngest only weighed 4.5lb at birth, I’d gained five stone while expecting her.…

We’ve teamed up with The Fast 800 to show you how delicious and nutritious their 5:2™ eating plan is – helping you lose weight and live a healthier and higher-quality life. This science-based programme was co-founded by the late Dr Michael Mosley, along with his wife Clare, and a team of doctors and weight-loss experts. The Fast 800 is dedicated to continuing Dr Mosley’s legacy to help you lose the excess pounds, and keep them off, for better mental clarity, sleep, blood pressure and energy. HOW IT WORKS On a fasting day, eat around 800-900 calories of Mediterranean-style foods, aiming to eat within a 12-hour window for maximum health benefits. On non-fasting days, continue to have healthy foods and sensible portions, but there’s no need to count calories. How many days…

From corns and calluses to bunions and blisters, our feet can often be the cause of discomfort and pain. And it’s no wonder, according to Advanced Health Foot Practitioner Katie Simner. ‘Our feet bear the entire weight of our bodies. Over periods of time, this constant strain can lead to wear and tear on the muscles, joints, ligaments and bones in the feet,’ she explains. ‘Poor foot health can also affect posture and the alignment of the rest of the body, leading to problems in the knees, hips and lower back as we age. Foot care including regular exercise, wearing correct footwear and seeking help for foot issues early, can help maintain overall wellbeing.’ Luckily there is plenty you can do to improve your foot health. Follow these expert tips…

Adult-only getaway, Mauritius Embark on a long-haul venture to Mauritius and fly direct to the eastern coast of Africa to explore lush landscapes and immaculate white beaches. The 800-metre high mountains and forests in the island’s interior are home to some of the world’s rarest animals – you can spot geckos and tropical birds in Poste Lafayette National Park. The island is also surrounded by one of the largest unbroken barrier reefs in the world, so the scuba diving opportunities are on a par with the Maldives. • Stay at the adults-only Veranda Paul & Virginie from £1156pp for seven-nights, all-inclusive, flying from Heathrow in March 2025 with britishairways.com Totally tropical Puerto Rico Looking to ditch the morning frost and soak up some rays? Head to the Caribbean for a…

Ashley Roberts Ashley, 43, channelled her inner Elle Woods as she headed to work in a Legally Blonde-inspired co-ord by Self Portrait. Kerry Washington Actor Kerry, 47, made a serious style statement as she stepped out in a magenta gown by Balenciaga paired with contrasting black gloves and court shoes. Selena Gomez The singer and actor, 32, was glowing in her embroidered Oscar de la Renta mini dress. We love the subtle nod to this spring’s floral trend. Ariana Grande The Wicked press tour may be over, but Ariana, 31, is still channelling Glinda’s signature style in a blush Loewe frock and shawl set. Viola Davis Award-winning actor Viola, 59, deserves recognition for this Dior silk pleated number. The caped sleeves and plunging neckline looked magnificent on the red carpet.…

Linda's heartbreak Linda Robson, 66, has opened up about best friend Pauline Quirke’s dementia battle, revealing that she’s spent time with her 65-year-old Birds Of A Feather co-star in the years since her diagnosis. ‘It breaks my heart to see her endure such a terrible illness,’ she wrote. A baby girl! Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi have welcomed their second daughter, naming her Athena. While she was born several weeks early – as Beatrice, 36, was due in the spring – a statement released by the Palace said she arrived ‘safely’. Congratulations to them both! Dens on hols! Denise Welch showcased the results of her 2.5st weight loss by slipping into a striking swimming costume on holiday. The Loose Woman star, 66, revealed she and husband Lincoln Townley…

While most of us like to ease ourselves back into work in January, Dragons’ Den star Sara Davies is already rushed off her feet. This month has been one of her busiest yet, as she’s juggled both the latest Dragons’ Den series (currently airing on BBC1) and a brand-new show, The Big Idea Works, which is set to air next month. Her new book, The Six Minute Entrepreneur, has just hit bookshelves, too. On top of that, she has stepped back in as CEO of Crafter’s Companion, the multimillion-pound enterprise she began from her university bedroom, after hearing it was set to be placed into administration. ‘It was a wake-up call’ But when she sits down to chat with us, she looks fresh faced and stress-free, and admits that the…

DRINKING… Available in three flavours, PerfectTed’s Nespresso-compatible pods are a convenient way of bringing matcha to more people than ever. A powdered green tea that offers a healthier source of caffeine, matcha provides longer-lasting energy that also improves alertness and helps produce serotonin. From perfectted.com, Tesco and Holland & Barrett (£4 for 10). EATING… Asda has just the thing for couples on Valentine’s Day – half-and-half pizzas in the shape of a heart! Perfect for lovers who aren’t quite as compatible on pizza flavours as they are on paper… Available in three flavours. Asda, £3.50. STAYING HEALTHY… These Yay! Mushrooms AM & PM Cold Pressed Shots are full of goodness. Containing two key mushroom powders, Lion’s Mane and Reishi, the drinks claim to help you focus in the morning and…

Hidden truths Unforgotten, Sunday 9 February, ITV Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan return as DCI Jess James and DI Sunil ‘Sunny’ Khan as the sixth series of Unforgotten kicks off. They continue to delve into unresolved crimes and expose long-buried secrets as they find justice for victims. A host of new faces join the cast including Victoria Hamilton and MyAnna Buring as well as some old favourites. When suspected human remains are uncovered on Whitney Marsh, Jess and Sunny are called to the scene, abandoning their evening plans. It transpires the remains are recent and the body was placed there already dismembered… POWER STRUGGLE At Home with Katherine Ryan, Monday 10 February, UKTV Dealing with two tiny kids and a big one facing the pressure of exams as she begins…

Life is no easier at Waterloo Road for the staff and students as term kicks off. A new headteacher Dame Stella Drake (Lindsey Coulson) is at the helm and hoping to shake off their infamous ‘murder school ’ reputation. Drake joins as the students become increasingly unruly and her methods can sometimes ruffle feathers as it pushes against the school ’s modern pastoral approach. One of those finding it hard to accept the new tough line is Tonya Walters (Summer Violet Bird) – who is struggling with the pain of endometriosis, but isn’t being given any special treatment by the Head. Her mother Nicky (Kym Marsh) has finally realised how much her daughter is suffering and is shocked Drake seems unable to empathise with such a female issue. We caught…

After a traumatic 18 months which saw her sever ties with best friend Phillip Schofield, become the subject of a planned kidnap, rape and murder plot, and end her 14-year tenure at This Morning, Holly Willoughby has opened up for the first time. Discussing the heinous plot that resulted in Gavin Plumb being sentenced to life imprisonment last July, Holly, 43, told The Sunday Times, ‘It’s been a tough one. There’s no way of sugar-coating it.’ The mum of three – who shares children Harry, 15, Belle, 13, and Chester, 10, with husband Dan Baldwin – added that ‘nothing can prepare you’ for something like that, and ‘it’s been ‘s**t for all of us’. While Holly bravely reflected on her turmoil, she failed to mention her infamous falling out with…

On 23 January, the brave families of the three little girls who were murdered in a dance studio in Southport sat in court as their killer, Axel Rudakubana, was handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 52 years. For the families who lost their children, no sentence would ever be enough. The mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe, who was just seven when she was killed, called him ‘cruel and pure evil’ and the act of a ‘coward’, adding, ‘You know what you have done and we hope the weight of that knowledge haunts you every day.’ It was on 29 July last year, at the start of the school holidays, when 26 girls gathered for a Taylor Swift-themed dance and bracelet-making workshop. The sold-out event, held at The…

Fight The Frizz When your hair is feeling dry, it will absorb moisture from the air which can quickly leave your barnet looking frizzy, and this is often worse when you’re dealing with cold temperatures outside and central heating. Nurse parched hair back to health by using L’Oréal Bond Repair Rescue Pre Shampoo, £14.99, before your usual shampoo, and it will quickly heal and hydrate brittle strands. Or try a weekly protein-rich treatment like Kevin.Murphy Re.Store, £36. The nourishing formula is like a big drink for your locks and will restore strength and softness to banish flyaways. Post-wash, apply Grow Gorgeous Balance Fibre-Sealing Split Ends Treatment, £24, to tame fuzz and leave the ends of your hair looking neat and polished. Bring Back Bounce Issues such as menopause and over-styling…

Dog Man When a police officer and his faithful police dog get injured in the line of duty, a life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together. Welcome, Dog Man. While learning to embrace his new identity, Dog Man is sworn to protect and serve, which includes stopping feline supervillain Petey the Cat from cloning himself and going on a crime spree. Great family fun. The Louis Theroux Podcast Our favourite documentarian is back for a new series of his award-winning podcast. Each week, Louis invites a celebrity guest to the mic for in-depth conversations about the hard-hitting topics fans really want to know. The famous faces in this latest run include the likes of Willem Dafoe, Jade Thirlwall, Armie Hammer and many more. Life Begins by Kate Eberlen (Orion)…

TOM HANKS AND RITA WILSON The stars first crossed paths on the set of Bosom Buddies in 1981 when Tom was still married to Samantha Lewes. They confirmed their relationship five years later and tied the knot in 1988. SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR AND FREDDIE PRINZE JR The Buffy star met her future husband on the set of the 1997 slasher film I Know What You Did Last Summer. Although they didn’t hit it off straight away, they began dating in 2000 and tied the knot two years later. Now, Sarah, 47, and Freddie, 48, are parents to Charlotte, 14, and Rocky, 11. DAVID BECKHAM AND VICTORIA BECKHAM David, 49, and Victoria, 50, met in 1997 when she was a global popstar and he was playing for England. Now, she runs…