Table of contents for 28 April 2026 in Bella

The countdown is on for the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April – and this year’s star-studded line-up is seriously raising the bar. Leading the charge is Cynthia Erivo, 39, who smashed the 2022 race with a 3:35:36 finish and is now back for round two. The Wicked star is taking her training seriously, revealing, ‘My schedule starts with running in the morning.’ And she has her sights set high, adding, ‘I’d really love to complete it in 3:15.’ For Cynthia, it’s personal too. ‘The atmosphere is unlike any. It’s home. I’m born and raised here,’ she said. Also lacing up is presenter Jenni Falconer, 50, who is returning after a painful setback last year when she fractured her foot mid-race. True to form, she powered through, insisting, ‘Still the…

No ‘AI is not your counsellor’ Hannah Doyle, 42, author Not to be dramatic, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before I feed details of my private life to a chatbot. It’s not because I’m too shy to ask. I can natter with best friends for hours about our love lives. I write romance novels for a living, for heaven’s sake! But seeking advice from AI? Hell, no. Generative AI is a threat to my livelihood. Last year one ‘author’ used chatbots to ‘write’ 200 novels and made a six-figure salary. It takes me one year to write one novel using my actual brain and I won’t earn anywhere near that much. For those of us with creative jobs, AI could be devastating. Also, AI is not your…

One-in-five Brits aren’t getting enough sleep, which can have a real knock-on effect on our overall wellbeing. ‘During sleep the body carries out essential repair processes that support immune function, hormone regulation, brain performance and cardiovascular health,’ explains Niamh McMillan, Superdrug’ Pharmacy Superintendent. ‘When we consistently cut sleep short, those systems don’t function as effectively.’ The result? Weakened immunity, headaches, migraines, mood changes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular strain, metabolic disruption and even weight gain. So, how can we turn the tide, solve our sleep woes and get back to looking and feeling fresh? Here, the experts share 15 tried and true tips… ‘Erratic sleep schedules can impact long-term health’ 1 Be consistent ‘Most of us love a weekend lie-in,’ says doctor and sleep advocate, Dr Frankie JacksonSpence. ‘But actually, erratic sleep…

Best app Salter Body Insight Smart Scale £49 We found the Salter Body Insight Smart Scale really useful in our daily routine. Instead of only seeing our weight, we liked that it also showed body fat, muscle mass, bone mass and BMI. The best part about using these scales is the partnering Salter Balance app, which is easy to use and shows your progress in clear charts, with the option for goal tracking and trend analysis. Data from the scales automatically syncs over, but this can sometimes be a little slow, so don’t expect it to be immediate. The app also allows for multiple profiles to be set up, which is great for families sharing the same scales. PROS Salter Balance app is really effective and easy to use CONS…

Chill out, uniform police. There are more pressing issues for schools to deal with than skirts that are too short. Robyn, Surrey If schools really are worried about hems, then yes, ban skirts. There’s too much pressure on teachers these days. They should focus on teaching, not checking uniforms. Chantal, Barnsley Leave skirts be. I spent my teen years rolling up my skirts, only to lower them when the teacher told us to – it’s all part of school life. Fran, Hull Trousers should be worn by all – it’s much more practical, safer, more comfortable and reduces the sexualisation of uniforms. Maud, Cambridge…

FILM Michael The latest Hollywood biopic tells the story of one of history’s most influential – and some would argue, controversial – pop stars, Michael Jackson. The film depicts his life beyond the music, from his incredible talent in the Jackson Five to his pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting his iconic performances and life off-stage, this musical drama gives viewers a front row seat to the King of Pop. With Michael’s nephew Jaafar – son of Jermaine Jackson – stepping into the lead role, it’ll be one to watch. EVENT Cambridge Literary Festival 2026 The historic city’s spring festival returns, showcasing talented writers and unmissable conversations. This year’s line-up includes crime writer Harriet Tyce – of The Traitors fame – Mary Berry, Andrew Miller and…

Maura Higgins The Love Island icon, 35, flaunted her impressive abs in an electric blue skirt co-ord, plus a dramatic fur coat. Nicole Scherzinger Oozing elegance, Nicole, 47, wore a flowing cowl neck gown styled with simple black heels and a bold red lip. Clara Amfo Clara, 41, hit the red carpet in a bright blue turtleneck mini dress with an oversized sash detail. We love her sheer heels. Dua Lipa The singer, 30, stunned in a vibrant fringe sequinned dress with a plunging cowl neckline by Gucci. Gorgeous! Ashley Roberts When it comes to beating the blues, it doesn’t get better than 44-year-old Ashley’s stunning cut-out gown by Lebanese label HASSIDRISS. Elisabeth Moss Embracing spring florals, the actor, 43, stepped out in a structured floral frock, styled with sky-high…

SuBo’s 65! Singer Susan Boyle recently turned 65 – and what better way to celebrate than with a new hairdo? Posing in her new home – a £245,000 bungalow near Falkirk – the former BGT star looked amazing with her wavy blonde bob. Well-deserved award Arti Shah scooped an Olivier Award for her portrayal of Paddington. The actor, 49 – who was born with the bone growth disorder pseudoachondroplasia – said she wants to show her son that ‘being different is a good thing’. Magnumificent! Former broadcaster Fiona Phillips, 65 – who is battling Alzheimer’s – looked radiant as she enjoyed an ice cream in the sun. Husband Martin Frizell, 67, shared the snap on Instagram, writing, ‘Simple pleasures but a highlight of the day.’…

It’s no secret that the Prince and Princess of Wales have weathered their fair share of storms in recent years. From Kate’s shock cancer diagnosis in early 2024 to the King’s own battle with the disease – alongside the ongoing fallout involving Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – it has been a turbulent time for the couple. But now, as they prepare to celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary next week, sources tell Bella that Prince William and Kate are feeling stronger than ever, and they’re not letting anything destroy their peace. ‘Of course, there are still plenty of stressors – namely Charles’s health – and, truth be told, they are also very sad about the situation with Harry and Meghan. But they’re at a point where they’re not letting it…

People often think of menopause, symptoms as hot flushes, mood changes, poor sleep or brain fog,’ explains Ella Kaur, Nutritional Therapist and Practitioner Lead at supplement brand DR.VEGAN. ‘Yet a DR.VEGAN survey found that over 50% of women experience around 10 different symptoms during menopause, many of which are unexpected. Declining oestrogen affects almost every system in the body. Understanding these lesser-known effects can help women seek the right support. Alongside lifestyle changes, targeted support through supplements may help women through this transition.’ Here, Ella reveals five unusual but very real menopause symptoms that often go unnoticed or misunderstood. Formication This affects around one in five women. It causes the sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin, even though there is no physical cause. This happens because declining…

Targeted treatments The neck has fewer oil glands than other parts of the body, so as we get older, it doesn’t hold much of the fat that helps keep skin plump and smooth. This makes skin drier and means that this area often shows ageing first. Targeted creams are thicker and usually contain collagen or peptides to promote skin elasticity. Try Superdrug B. Firming Face and Neck Cream, £15, after using your serum of choice. Alternatively, Naydaya Neck Glory, £42, comes with a built-in roller to massage the neck area as you apply it, helping to boost circulation and encourage firmer skin. If you prefer something more lightweight, we recommend Beauty Pie Uber Youth Neck & Chest Super Lift Serum-Spray, £38. Unlike heavier neck creams, this innovative serum-spray delivers lifting…

No wonder I could feel my teeth chattering – the temperature was -16 degrees Celsius. The hairs inside my nose had frozen and I could see that in the far distance there were some reindeer eyeing me suspiciously. I wanted to give up, but instead I had to dig deep because I had a 13.1-mile trek to complete in under four hours. It was October 2020 and the task ahead of me was to run a half marathon in a race that took place each year across Greenland’s unforgiving terrain. Even though I was no stranger to challenges and had spent years taking part in punishing events for charity, this was no mean feat. What am I doing? I thought to myself. Is this a step too far? The fundraising…

Seaside fun St Peter Port, the capital of this Channel Island, is full of charm. Wander cobbled lanes lined with independent shops, or stop at Café Emilia for a coffee with a view of the harbour. The waterfront buzzes with yachts and colourful fishing boats, set against elegant Georgian townhouses. History lovers should visit the Guernsey Museum at Candie or climb to Hauteville House, Victor Hugo’s former home, with sweeping views of the bay. For a relaxed atmosphere and great food, The Boathouse serves fresh seafood right on the quay. The town is easy to explore on foot, with plenty of spots to browse. Step back in time Just a short stroll from the harbour lies Castle Cornet, Guernsey’s 800-year-old fortress, perched dramatically at the water’s edge. Step inside to…

She’s been a staple on the panel for over 20 years, but now, we are told that Denise Welch is close to quitting Loose Women. According to our insider, the actor, 67, has stepped back from the ITV daytime show – which she first joined in 2005 for eight years, before taking on her role again permanently in 2018 – due to reported simmering tensions behind the scenes. After job cuts last year, those who kept their roles breathed a sigh of relief, but Denise has struggled with the changes. The source says, ‘Things have been frosty at Loose Women for some time, and the feuds between certain panellists are well-known to the team backstage. Since ITV’s huge budget cuts, things have been more than a struggle for some of…

He recently sparked fears when it was revealed he had been hospitalised after suffering a stroke. And now, insiders tell Bella that Eamonn Holmes’s ex-wife Ruth Langsford is feeling conflicted over his health battle, in what has been another twist in their ongoing divorce proceedings. A source tells us, ‘She was deeply upset when she received word that Eamonn had been rushed to hospital. Despite their divorce rumbling on, she wanted to go to him when she heard the news. Ruth doesn’t want to appear heartless, but it has been the worst two years of her life and Eamonn has been the cause of that. Of course she cares, but she doesn’t think she would be made to feel welcome for a visit to Eamonn at the hospital. She does…

As I logged on to my weekly Slimming World weigh-in over Zoom, my stomach was in knots. It was April 2020 and I knew I was about to lie to my consultant. ‘Hi Charlotte, how did your week go?’ she asked. ‘Very well. I’ve maintained my weight,’ I said. But the truth was it had been steadily going up for months. I’d lost 10 stone over the past year, going from 24st to 14st, but during lockdown, I’d started regaining the weight and felt too ashamed to admit it. My relationship with food had been complicated for years. Growing up, I ate healthily as my parents were vegetarians and we had fresh, home-cooked meals. I started dating Martin when we were only 16 and still at school, but his mum…

The benefits of walking come with the stamp of approval from health experts. The activity burns calories, improves cognition and mood – and even reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. ‘Everyone assumes we should be running, but walking, if you do it properly, can be a lot more challenging for your heart rate intensity than doing a light jog,’ says fitness trainer Lucy Wyndham-Read, whose walking videos have racked up half a billion views on YouTube. ‘Not everyone wants to spend an hour jumping up and down or lifting heavy weights. But we’re all designed to walk. It’s great for your bone health, as well as muscular and metabolic health, but it won’t strain your joints. And it’s enjoyable!’ Here, Lucy, explains how to structure…

When Emma Forbes shared this beach photo from a holiday in Barbados earlier this year, she didn’t expect it to cause such a stir. She posted it alongside a caption explaining that she feels more confident in swimwear now than she did 20 years ago, after becoming qualified in nutrition. The image quickly went viral, and Emma tells us, ‘I spent all night thinking, “What a mistake. I’m going to wake up and just delete that,” but in the morning, I had 250,000 views. I was shocked.’ At 60, the former Live & Kicking presenter – who is the daughter of actor Nanette Newman, 91 – jokes that it’s ‘better late than never’ for her to have found her fitness groove. After losing 16lb over the past year, Emma is…

Curtain fringe Curtain bangs are one of the most flattering fringe options for 60s+ hair, framing the cheekbones and drawing attention to the eyes. Helen Mirren, 80, wears hers beautifully, with feathered bangs that blend seamlessly into the rest of her bob. To recreate the look, smooth Monday Haircare Smooth Heat Protectant, £7, onto damp hair before blow-drying the fringe with a round brush, directing each side away from the face. Finish with L’Oréal Paris Elvive Big Hair Day Refreshing Volume Spray, £12.99, through the lengths and finish with a drop of Moroccanoil Treatment Light, £18.85, for shine. Long layers Lengthy hair can look incredibly flattering after 50, especially when cut with soft layers that create added shape. Julianne Moore’s (65) glossy, face-framing style proves length doesn’t have to be…

ELLEN KAY, 57, FROM STRATFORD-UPON-AVON ‘I first started testosterone through a private clinic, and the benefits were clear – I had more energy, better mood, stronger libido. But when I tried to get it on the NHS, it turned into a year-long battle. I had to stop treatment for three months just to “prove” I needed it, go through repeat blood tests and endless back-and-forth with specialists. It was exhausting but worth it. Being back on testosterone has transformed my life. My energy levels, libido and bone aches have all improved and I feel like me again. My message to other women? Don’t give up. Don’t take no for an answer. You have every right to have access to the treatment your body needs. Talk loud, talk fast, talk everywhere about…

Secret Service Monday 27 April, ITV1 Gemma Arterton leads this sleek espionage thriller, where a buried intelligence operation resurfaces with explosive consequences. What begins as a controlled political cover-up quickly spirals into a tangle of secrets, suspicion and shifting loyalties stretching between London and Malta. Around her, a strong ensemble including Rafe Spall, Mark Stanley, Alex Kingston, Roger Allam, Amaka Okafor and Khalid Abdalla brings texture and bite to a world where trust is constantly recalibrated. From Oscar-winning director James Marsh, adapted from Tom Bradby’s novel, this is polished, contemporary drama with real-world edge. As pressure builds, alliances fracture and truths blur leaving everyone forced to choose what, and who, they’re willing to protect. HALF MAN Friday 24 April, BBC1 Richard Gadd’s follow-up to Baby Reindeer is a bruising, emotionally…