Table of contents for Issue 18, 2023 in New Idea

Hello! I don’t know about you, but I always begin my mornings by checking in on brekkie TV, to catch up on the need-to-know headlines and weather before a busy day ahead. And I, for one, am loving the addition of Sarah Abo to Today’s line-up of presenters. Not only is she a top-notch journalist with an uncanny ability to keep cheeky Karl in line, but she also has an incredible backstory, which we’ve explored on page 16. I hope you enjoy this, plus plenty of other stories about incredible Aussie women, including Princess Mary, Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, and the legendary Johnny O’Keefe’s daughter, Vicky. Have a great week! newidea@aremedia.com.au newidea.com.au @newideamagazine @newideamagazine…

NEWS It looks as though love is in the air for Last King of the Cross co-stars Lincoln Younes and Courtney Clarke, with the pair stepping out together for a brunch date in Sydney. Onlookers said Lincoln, 31, and Courtney, 24, could barely keep away from one another, holding hands down the street and sharing plenty of laughs. It is presumed the couple met on set, striking up an immediate friendship. Lincoln played nightclub baron John Ibrahim in the popular Paramount+ series, while Courtney appeared in two episodes. Although neither star has confirmed the relationship publicly, these pictures seem to suggest things are heating up!…

Royals After waiting 74 years for this moment, King Charles has planned his coronation, said to be costing $185 million, down to the finest detail. Well-known among his close circle to be a perfectionist, insiders say he’s “stressed to the max” about aspects he can’t control ahead of his historic accession – and they fear it’s taking a toll on his health. “For the first time in his life, Charles is starting to really feel his age,” says a source. “His mother always insisted it was of the utmost importance to listen to his doctors and to rest whenever he could.” With a jam-packed diary of rehearsals, garden parties and gala dinners ahead of the May 6 Westminster Abbey event, courtiers are growing concerned the King’s bitten off way more…

If the unthinkable happened and George and Amal’s marriage did go south, he might be interested to know that it seems Katie Holmes is waiting in the wings. New Idea hears the 44-year-old actress is “desperate” to work with George. One insider claims she has a “career crush on him – and like most women, probably a real crush!” “Katie’s pitched several scripts to George’s production team,” says an insider. “She knows George, but hasn’t had access to him since he got married. She really wants to get back into that A-list inner circle again because without it, no-one’s taking her seriously, no matter how many indie movies she makes.” Adds a separate insider, “George wouldn’t be opposed to working alongside Katie – she is obviously a talent and very…

Retro For over 30 years, Rowan Atkinson’s comedic creation, the outlandish man-child Mr. Bean, has delighted audiences. Here are 10 little-known pieces of trivia about the much-loved quirky British comedy. 1 HOW MANY? Created by Rowan Atkinson and Richard Curtis, Mr. Bean aired from 1990 to 1995. However, it shocks even the most die-hard fans to learn the production was actually extremely limited – with only 14 episodes of the series ever filmed. Quite a surprise really, given how popular the character has become. 2 EASY PEASY Rowan says he came up with the character after being asked to write a sketch for a show at the Oxford Playhouse. “I just stood in front of the mirror and started to mess about with my face,” he said. “And…

Real life Lolly snake in hand and special T-shirts on, Ollie and Elke Finnane were on a mission. The siblings faced a 13-kilometre walk up Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. But scaling the summit wouldn’t be the biggest challenge they’ve faced. Ollie, 8, and Elke, 5, were climbing Kosciuszko in memory of their mum Torie, who died tragically in 2020 from bacterial meningitis. Trekking alongside 125 friends and family in January 2023, their dad Liam struggled to fight back tears. “It was an emotional day because, although I was proud of what we were doing, it was a harsh reminder of why we were doing it,” Liam explains. From Orange, NSW, the family’s world turned upside down in December 2020, when Torie, 34, suddenly passed away just three days after…

Advice Setting up a kid-friendly fairy garden Getting children out into the garden is one of my favourite things to do. I feel their imagination is the best piece of play equipment they will ever have. If you nurture it, hours of fun will be spent out in the garden, and you won’t have a swing set or trampoline cluttering up the space. CONSIDER LOCATION Wild play is allowing your kids to get lost in the wonders of nature. A dry riverbed or some logs for climbing is the perfect place to start at home. Shade from some trees also creates atmosphere and keeps them out of the sun’s rays during play as well. These spots are perfect for a fairy garden and creating one of these miniature landscapes is…

Stars Taurus APR 21 – MAY 21 It’s all happening this month! And it’s not just on a physical level that you’re busy, but an emotional one too – but with a little luck, conversations could lead to breakthroughs. If you need to let off steam, use your lunchtimes to get fit, or try a few dance classes. Lucky numbers: 5, 7, 18, 23, 38, 41 Gemini MAY 22 – JUN 21 You give so much to others, but if the pressure’s getting to you, start offloading. Allow yourself a few extra treats, and most importantly, don’t feel guilty. Guided relaxation sessions might help you to unwind, along with massages, movies and food-focused events. Lucky flowers: Tulips Cancer JUN 22 – JUL 23 As the planets shift into your social…

THE SOCIETY OF SHAME by Jane Roper Trying to recover after a scandal, fame arrives for Kathleen who becomes obsessed with popularity, threatening the relationship with her daughter. THE SIGNATORY by Stuart Black Wealthy businessman Sam becomes the prime suspect in a murder case. With police and conspirators hot on their trail, he and his wife become fugitives in order to stay alive. Whoever bought out his business is the link to it all. WITH MY LITTLE EYE by Joshilyn Jackson Meribel Mills starts to receive disturbing letters. Someone has been in her home and she’s being watched. But by who? OUT TUE. WEST SIDE HONEY by Claire Christian Single mum Cleo can finally prioritise what she wants. But she may have to try everything to work out what that…

Leonardo DiCaprio is clearly enjoying being single right now, but the actor could be playing with fire after being seen with good mate Bradley Cooper’s ex-partner, Irina Shayk. Leo, 48, and Irina, 37, were spied getting close at the Coachella music festival, followed by an afterparty. They returned to the festival the next day to take in singer Frank Ocean’s set together. It’s no doubt a blow for Bradley, 48. He and Irina, who share 6-year-old daughter Lea, were said to be giving their relationship another go. Last year there were even whispers Irina was hoping for a second baby with her famous actor ex. Sources tell New Idea that Irina has been careful not to “embarrass” Bradley since their original split in 2019. Insiders say “there’s no…

Prince Louis of Wales is known to be the life of every party, so it’s no wonder the ‘royal rascal’ marked his own fifth birthday with the vim and vigour the world has come to expect. New Idea understands the Prince and Princess of Wales were keen for their youngest son’s milestone birthday not to go unnoticed despite the looming coronation, and threw a private party for him during the half-term break – with a helping hand from his grandma, party-planning maestro Carole Middleton. “Granny Carole had the best ideas for helping the birthday boy blow off steam,” reveals a source, who also shared that Louis got to run, race, and smash piñatas and balloons for hours! “It was mayhem, but worth it because he slept for 12 hours that…

When it comes to Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s energy lately, we’ll have what she’s having! The radio star has been busy working on herself, and has credited quitting alcohol and joining a weight-loss program for her renewed lease on life. Having lost 18kg, Jackie, 48, says: “[It] was never about what I looked like in the mirror, but rather an overall sense of wellbeing.” Clearly feeling on top of the world, Jackie was all smiles while enjoying a night out in Sydney on April 15 with her KIIS co-workers. During the evening the group of 10 “gatecrashed” former MAFS star Cyrell Paule’s birthday party. The shenanigans came days after single mum Jackie enjoyed a hit of tennis with a mystery man. The Daily Mail claimed the pair “exchanged numbers”. Pleased with…

Imagine the soul-destroying agony that Grant ‘Jim’ Beaumont and wife Nancy endured, never knowing what really happened to their three sweet children who disappeared, seemingly without a trace, at Glenelg Beach 57 years ago. Nancy died in 2019 aged 92, having never given up hope that one day she would have some answers, no matter how terrible they were. Now her ex-husband Jim has sadly died aged 97, after decades of heartache over his missing children. “Reunited in heaven,” were the simple words used in the funeral notice to mark Jim’s death in Adelaide on April 9. When Jane, 9, Arnna, 7 and 4-year-old Grant Beaumont disappeared during a routine trip to the seashore on a sunny January day, it robbed Jim and Nancy of the lights of their lives…

Pancetta and Bean Pork Cutlets SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 25 MINS ■ 2 lemons ■ 4 x 230g pork cutlets ■ 100g packet diced pancetta ■ 2 x 400g cans cannellini beans, drained ■ ½ cup roughly chopped fresh parsley ■ 250g marinated feta in oil with garlic and herbs 1 Finely grate rind from 1 lemon, then squeeze 2 tblsps of juice. Cut remaining lemon into wedges. 2 Heat an oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a medium to high heat. Add pork. Cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked to your liking. Remove. Cover to keep warm. 3 Add pancetta to pan. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add beans. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until pancetta is browned. Stir in rind, juice…

Advice Denise Drysdale THE MUM OF SIX ON THE TRIALS & TRIUMPHS OF PARENTING As a mum of six, my days are always busy. There is always a job to be done and somebody that needs something, and often there is a little one screaming at me during all of this. As hectic as it can be, I have always felt the need to make sure at least once a week I take the time to do something with each of the kids separately. It can be hard to find the time, but I know how important it is for them and me to have time together and have the chance to talk. It’s lovely when it can be a dinner out together or a shopping trip alone, but even…

Home cleaning tips 1 VERSATILE VEG While rhubarb makes for a delicious recipe addition, it can also be used to clean pots and pans. If your pot has gone through a bit of wear and tear, simply fill it with water and a few stalks of rhubarb, bring to the boil and after around 3-4 minutes take your pot off the heat. Once cooled, clean it with a sponge and your beloved pot should be looking brand new. 2 DUST BE GONE Ditch the feather duster and use a lint roller to clean dusty surfaces. A feather duster can sometimes make even more of a mess as it moves dust particles into the air and all over the floor. A roller will remove dust and keep it in…

Advice Top driving holidays GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VIC DAY 1: MELBOURNE TO APOLLO BAY Once you’re about an hour out of the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD, this journey will take you through the friendly beach town of Torquay (where you can stop for a quick snack, swim or browse of a local surf shop) before you continue your journey through to Apollo Bay. As long drives always deserve a reward, be sure to enjoy a gin tasting paddle at Apollo Bay Distillery before setting up camp at one of the Bay’s beachside campsites. DAY 2: APOLLO BAY TO PORT FAIRY Calling all nature lovers! This leg of the trip will get your green thumb going as you cross into the lush rainforest of Otway National Park. Once you’ve…

Q Can you see baby number two on the way? We’ve been trying for over a year. Anna, Hobart, TAS. A Your chances look good through spring and summer, so try to relax and take the pressure off. A winter getaway might work wonders, preferably to somewhere warm and chilled out. Good luck! Q I’m approaching 40 and have never had a serious relationship. Do you see marriage in my stars? Annie, Newcastle, NSW. A Your chart shows a strong focus on work, which may partly explain why you’re single. But this could change, and sooner than you think. As Venus hangs out in Leo through winter, sparks could fly – perhaps with someone you already know? Jupiter retrogrades can bring second chances when they fall in our ‘relationship sectors’,…

Entertainment When it comes to fronting the new Aussie game show The 1% Club, Jim Jefferies is putting in 100 per cent effort – and then some! “It’s a real honour to be hosting,” the comedian tells New Idea. “I’m over the moon. It’s a cracker!” Based on the original UK version, The 1% Club tests 1000 contestants with questions ranging from the basic to those only brainiacs can crack. At the end of the show, they are tasked with a question that only one per cent of the population can answer correctly. Jim has dyslexia and admits the hardest part of the show was simply “reading out the questions”. Despite this challenge, he still found the experience to be “so much fun”. One of Jim’s favourite elements was seeing…

“I AM A PSYCHOPATH AT A TAYLOR SHOW.I GO NUTS.”Gigi Hadid will always be a fan of her good friend Taylor Swift. “MY LIPS HAVE HAD THEIR OWN CAREER!”Lisa Rinna’s pout is plump – and she sure is proud of it! “WHAT DO APPLES AND PEARS HAVE TO DO WITH STAIRS?”Despite her boyfriend Tom Holland’s best efforts, Zendaya says she still can’t understand British rhyming slang. “SHE HAS BEEN STEALING MY HAIRDO SINCE 1988!”Rod Stewart claims Cyndi Lauper leveraged his locks! “MENTALLY FRAGILE HALFWITS MARRY TOXIC FAME TARTS.”Margaret Pomeranz gives her review on Married at First Sight.…

Shocked fans fervently reached out to David Koch when a Twitter post claimed he had died! The hoax included the Sunrise host’s photo, and led people to a cryptocurrency scam that lost users thousands of dollars. Insiders say Kochie, 64, is “fuming” over the situation, given he was previously falsely linked to erectile dysfunction and bitcoin scams. While on leave from Sunrise, he took to Twitter to voice his frustration. “I’m alive and well and enjoying AFL’s Gather Round in Adelaide with all my family,” he shared.…

NEWS Things are going swimmingly for Emma McKeon and Cody Simpson, who have splashed a whopping $1.8 million on a new Gold Coast home. The reported purchase of the five-bedroom, three-bathroom property in Labrador comes after Emma, 28, and Cody, 26, celebrated their one-year anniversary in April. It has some insiders speculating whether a wedding at the lavish abode is on the cards, once Emma has finished competing at the Australian Swimming Championships.…

Hollywood George Clooney did the unthinkable last week – he appeared at an event in Hollywood without his practically embedded wedding ring on! The 61-year-old father of two seemed relaxed and happy flying solo at the exclusive event, despite his missing accessory adding fuel to rumours things aren’t going so well back home with wife Amal, 45. Friends tell New Idea they aren’t surprised that George’s lack of ring has caused concern over the state of the couple’s eight-year marriage. They’ve allegedly been disagreeing over “everything from schooling to co-stars” according to one exclusive insider, who adds a recent bust-up over their Italian villa on Lake Como has caused even more issues. “Amal actually doesn’t like the Como property,” tells the source. “She equates it to his bachelor days. It’s…

Local stars She might have one of the most high-profile jobs on television, but when it comes to Today co-host Sarah Abo, very little is known about her personal life – and that’s exactly how she prefers it! With her co-host Karl Stefanovic’s divorce from first wife Cassandra Thorburn and subsequent re-marriage to Jasmine Yarbrough dominating headlines for years, sources tell New Idea that Sarah is “hell-bent” on making sure that never happens to her. Married to husband Cyrus Moran for 11 years this December, Sarah, 37, has reportedly made it “extremely clear” that her spouse is strictly off limits. “Sarah is very protective of Cyrus,” confesses a close source. “By nature he is publicity-shy. He much prefers being behind the scenes, supporting his wife as she navigates her way…

Catriona Rowntree is praying for a miracle after revealing the heart-wrenching news that her cherished sister, Lucinda Wunderlich, has been diagnosed with an incurable stage 4 cancer. “I’m trying so hard to choose my words carefully here, other than to say a lot of tears have been shed,” the normally upbeat TV presenter wrote on social media while sharing the devastating news. Catriona explained that Lucinda’s closest friends have set up a GoFundMe campaign on her behalf, hoping to raise money to aid the mum of four during this unthinkable time. “We are keen to lighten the load and help with weekly bills to keep her comfortable in her home during this time,” the GoFundMe page stated. Sadly, Lucinda was forced to resign from her teaching job as she “commits…

Local stars Although she knows it sounds bizarre, Vicky O’Keefe feels the spirit of her late father, legendary Aussie rock’n’roll icon Johnny O’Keefe, with her every day, and admits he is “on her shoulder” whenever she performs his songs. “Dad’s spirit is often around me,” she shares. “I might be looking at a family photo featuring JOK, and the lights will suddenly flicker or, out of the blue, one of his songs like ‘I’m Counting on You’ will blast out of the radio. “My daughter Melody has seen his ghost in our house, and I have too. I’ve seen a shadowy figure, I know it’s Dad, and then he’s gone. It’s not scary, it’s very comforting.” Chatting to New Idea from her Gold Coast home, Vicky, 61, beams as she…

What boots are in fashion? THE PISTOL This trusty style is a must have for any season and a great option for nighttime looks. It instantly adds an element of formality and fashion flair to a simple pair of jeans or a dress. Stocking friendly, too! THE CALF HUGGERS Calf or knee-high boots are very much the shoe of the season this year, from those with heels to more flat, riding styles. Dress up a shift dress or try them over a slim jean. THE LUG SOLE Thanks to Australia’s experience with La Niña last year, this practical trend took off and is still a go-to for casual looks this winter. Stockists: billini.com, globalfootcare.com.au, hm.com/au, kmart.com.au, next.com.au/en, spendless.com.au, therapyshoes.com.au, wittner.com.au…

Advice Denise Drysdale LIFE’S MORE FUN WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A LAUGH I’m notorious in my family for getting lost. The sat nav and I aren’t on speaking terms. She’s been giving me the silent treatment for years. She’s just a blue line on the screen in my dash; she won’t say a word. I much preferred driving when all you had was a street directory to get you to where you’re going. I used to love the old Melway directory. Before I learned to drive, I remember sitting down with Dad and looking up where we’d have to go for a performance on the weekend and painstakingly writing out the directions – “First left here, then right at the roundabout … ” It’s mad to think that reading…

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My 3-year-old grandson Matthew’s cousins are coming to stay, so Matthew sorted out his own bed. MARIE GREGAN, KEDRON, QLD. This is our baby bunny Frankie. After losing her mum at only a few days old, we had to bottle feed her until she started drinking and eating on her own. She is now a big, happy and healthy rabbit with a special personality. SARAH KISELA, WAGGA WAGGA, NSW. I just love this photo of my beautiful mum with a seal while holidaying in South Australia. ERIN MURDOCH, CAMP HILL, QLD. This is my adorable granddaughter Miss Ella after being picked up from day care. Isn’t she cheeky! HELEN MORRIS, BARNEY POINT, QLD. My daughter went to Tasmania and sent my puppy Sadie a gift. ANNE MORGAN, COFFS HARBOUR, NSW.…