Table of contents for 17 September 2024 in Bella

this week in bella The country rejoiced when iconic ’90s show The Vicar Of Dibley returned to our screens for a 2020 lockdown special - and there’s reason for more celebration, as it’s been revealed that Dawn French is making another much-anticipated comeback. The national treasure, who regularly has fans in stitches with her hilarious social media posts, is set to star in a new BBC sitcom called Can You Keep A Secret? Dawn, 66, will play widower Debbie Fenton, who sees a golden opportunity when her husband William (played by comedian and actor Mark Heap) is accidentally declared dead. The ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ of pensioners pursue their plan to cash in - they just need to keep William in the loft. Boasting the same director behind hilarious parenting comedy…

It was the long-awaited reunion royal watchers had been hoping for, with Princes Harry and William both together at the same family event. In a shock get-together, the estranged brothers attended a memorial service for Princess Diana’s brother-in-law Lord Robert Fellowes last month at St Mary’s Church in Snettisham, Norfolk, near the Sandringham Estate. Harry flew back from California to join his relatives at the service on 29 August. Amid their ongoing rift, the two princes ‘arrived very discreetly’ at the service and are not believed to have spoken. ‘William and Harry were both there, but we never saw them speak to each other and they were keeping their distance,’ a source said. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex have not been seen together in 15 months,…

Forever Florals Update your summer florals with ankle boots and a classic trench coat Versatile Vests A knitted vest will add a layer of warmth and style as we head into the cooler months Chic Shirt Give your linen shirt a fresh lease of life by pairing with trendy leopardprint jeans Dream Team Roll-neck jumpers are ideal for layering under last season’s shirts or dresses You can wear white jeans in autumn -simply pair with rich camel and chocolate tones New Neutrals Midi Magic Ankle boots and a vibrant knit will bring your denim skirt into the new season Tailored Treasure Don’t put your summer waistcoat away – wear it over a puff-sleeve blouse instead Cover Star A denim jacket will always give your outfit an autumnal edge…

Helen’s Bolognese Serves 4 Takes 55min-1hr • 75ml peanut oil • 1 onion, finely diced • 1 large carrot, finely diced • 1 celery stick, finely diced • 2 star anise • 1 cinnamon stick • 2 bay leaves • 1½tsp Sichuan peppercorns, roughly crushed in a pestle and mortar • 1tsp fennel seeds, roughly crushed in a pestle and mortar • 500g minced pork • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 40g ginger, peeled and finely chopped • 2tbsp Shaoxing wine • 100g chilli bean paste • 50ml light soy sauce • 1tbsp cornflour • 7 spring onions, finely sliced • 360g dried pappardelle DRESSED CUCUMBERS • 1 large cucumber, cut into thin batons • 2tbsp rice wine vinegar • 1tsp runny honey • 1tsp sesame oil • ¼tsp salt 1 Heat…

How long you can maintain standing on one leg? This is a good gauge of your proprioception. NHS guidelines say you should be able to stand on one leg continuously for 43 seconds if you’re aged between 18 and 39, and for 40 seconds if you’re aged between 40 and 49. As you get older, the length of time you can stand on one leg diminishes even more. On average it’s 37 seconds if you’re 50 to 59,30 seconds if you’re 60 to 69, between 18 and 19 seconds if you’re aged 70 to 79, and a little over five seconds if you’re over 80. Whether you reach these times, or wish to improve them, exercise will usually help.…

LIBRA 24 September — 23 October A few choice comments are on the tip of your tongue early in the week, but take care they don’t slip out in unconscious ways on the 14th. You’re on a high on the 15th, ready to throw yourself into anything that appeals to you. It’s a day for living it up! Theme of the week: Family ties 0906 650 7236 SCORPIO 24 October — 22 November It’s a week of clear halves. Early on you’re at your best with those on your wavelength, so this is a good time to join a new group. From the 15th, you’re happiest on home turf with people you know well, although familiarity breeds impatience on the 16th. Theme of the week: Hopes for the future 0906…

Huge congrats to Lorraine Kelly, who has become a granny. The TV presenter, 64, revealed she is bursting with joy after her daughter Rosie gave birth to daughter Billie on 29 August. ‘She is beautiful. It’s amazing to see your own child have a wee baby,’ she said on Good Morning Britain, as she vowed not to be ‘annoying’ and interfering. Lorraine shared a photo of the new addition on Instagram, writing, ‘Baby Billie is an angel. I’m delighted to be Granny Smith and can’t wait to go on adventures. I think granny is going to be my favourite title of all time.’…

It was August 2020, and my fiancé Eric and I arrived at our wedding venue for a rehearsal dinner. We’d been engaged for eight months, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with this gorgeous, charming and funny man. Eric spent the evening holding my hand, telling everyone how excited we were to be getting married the next day, and about how much he loved me. After kissing goodnight, we went off to our separate rooms. The following morning, I woke up at 7am to my phone ringing. ‘Eric’s dead,’ my mum said down the line. ‘He died in the night.’ I dropped the phone and fell to the floor. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was like I was in a nightmare. And…

MON Breakfast Rye sourdough toast Lunch Homemade houmous, carrots sticks, red grapefruit and oatcakes Dinner Roast lamb with pomegranate molasses, salad in tahini dressing and bread Snack Oatcakes with various toppings TUE Breakfast Peanut butter and sliced banana on rye sourdough toast Lunch Greek salad with feta and olives Dinner Stir fry with prawns, rainbow veg noodles and homemade chilli garlic sauce Snack Apple with peanut butter WED Breakfast Greek yogurt with flaxseeds, chia seeds, nuts and raspberries Lunch Omelette with fresh herbs and leftover veggies Dinner Chicken thighs, chickpeas and griddled courgettes Snack Weetabix THU Breakfast Two Weetabix with Kefir and milk Lunch Sardines on toast and salad with lemon dressing Dinne Spaghetti Bolognese with courgetti in place of pasta Snack Low-sugar digestive I FRI Breakfast Eggs and crushed…

Rattan placemats, wall decorations and soft terracotta bring this hand-crafted look together Practical and stylish, a decorative hanging rail is a must…

Adele has announced she will take an indefinite break from music once she finishes her Las Vegas shows. The 36-year-old superstar - whose three-year Vegas residency is set to end in November - told fans at the final show of her record-breaking tour in Munich, Germany, that she’s quitting showbiz to have an ‘incredibly long’ break. ‘It has been amazing, I just need a rest and I have spent the last seven years building a new life for myself, and I want to live it now,’ she said. Adele, who’s mum to 11-year-old son Angelo, is engaged to sports agent Rich Paul and has spoken about wanting another child.…

Perfect hostess Amanda Holden was joined by celeb pals Dannii Minogue, Alan Carr and Alesha Dixon as she hosted a Palm Royale party. The themed bash, celebrating the Apple TV+ show which Amanda is ‘obsessed’ with, was held at the BGT judge’s new Surrey mansion. Looks fun! Susanna or Austin? Susanna Reid took jokes about her outfit in good nature. The 53-year-old presenter’s bold blue suit with bowtie blouse for her return to Good Morning Britain saw viewers’ comparisons with movie character Austin Powers. ‘Groovy! Austin Powers or “Piers Morgan in a wig”. You decide,’ she said. Red-carpet official Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon made their red-carpet debut as a couple at Venice Film Festival. The Hollywood star, 60, and the 34-year-old jewellery designer, who have been dating for…

Bursting through the door, sweaty and out of breath, I went straight to the kitchen. ‘Phew, that was a tough game,’ I muttered while I dished up my dinner. Growing up, I’d always been active and I was especially into athletics and netball. Now in my early twenties, I weighed 11st and, thanks to the exercise I was doing, I could eat anything put in front of me and not put on a single pound. Then, at 26, I moved from my home in South Africa to the UK to pursue my nursing career, with my childhood sweetheart Victor, now 52, soon following to get a job as a teacher. It was hard, but exciting to start our new life. Two years later, I fell pregnant with our daughter, Amele,…

Overlining can create a fuller look, but this smudge-proof pencil does all the hard work for you by boosting volume for up to eight hours. Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Lip Shaper in BigTruffle, £20 This fragrance-free formula not only plumps, but it’s designed for dry, dehydrated lips, targeting roughness and dullness while encouraging a soft, supple appearance. Indeed Labs Hydraluron and Volumising Lip Treatment, £14.99 If you’re yet to try Tilbury’s plumper, you’re missing out. The colour is beautiful, it shines like glass, and thanks to some clever tech, there’s no burn-just a cooling sensation! Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm in Fair to Medium, £27 If you’re not afraid of spice, then try this chilli-infused gloss which lathers the lips in glossy colour while plumping immediately. Maybelline…

Sue has clearly done so well to adjust her diet to help manage her diabetes. All of her meals and snacks include an excellent mix of protein, fibre and healthy fats to help her body manage and process the carbohydrates. This is something we can all do to balance our blood sugars and energy levels. I love Sue’s inspiring low-sugar snack options, such as fruit with peanut butter and homemade date, peanut and chocolate bites! I’d like the recipe for those.…

Mike Mathieson-Butcher explains which exercises will improve your balance and coordination • Picking up a weighted ball even as little as a kilo - and passing it to the side. You can make it harder by standing on one leg, altering the centre of gravity. • Try a bosu or balance ball, a halfmoon, flat surface ball which you stand and balance on. Both sides of those have a benefit. On the oval, squishy side, you’ll work a lot on the ankles and knees to build up the strength from there. On the flat side, you work the knees, hips and core because works on the control a little higher up the body. • Practise heel-to-toe walking, as if you’re walking along a tight rope. When you take your support…

£50 Star letter Amazing Lizzi I adored reading the story of Paralympian Lizzi Jordan and her beautifully inspiring ethos on life. As someone considering my first half marathon, her incredible energy in spite of the obstacles life threw at her was the final encouragement I needed to sign up. Her mantra, ‘I have two options here, sit around and feel sorry for myself or make something out of my life’ was very moving and we can all learn from it. Chrissie Antoniou, via email Go Ruth! Good on Ruth Langsford for treating herself to a new hairdo after her split from husband Eamonn Holmes (issue 35). It reminds me of the old song, I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair. Ruth looks amazing I hope she thoroughly enjoys…

My mother was never there Q I grew in a position of what others would see as privilege. My father worked in the city and my mother called herself ‘an artist’. My father was hardly ever at home, and my mother often went away on artist’s retreats for weeks on end. I was brought up by one nanny after another, and then sent away to boarding school when I was nine. Sometimes, I would stay there during the school holidays as there was no one at home for me to go back to. I’ve now got children of my own and my mother seems just as disinterested in them as she was in me. I feel even more angry that she isn’t offering to support me as I don’t have…

PRIZE crossword WIN £200 Solve the crossword to find, reading from top to bottom in the shaded squares, the name of an Irish actor. This is your competition entry answer. See the ‘How to enter’ panel, below right. Across 1 Artist known for his drip technique, - - - Pollock (7) 4 Mobile home (7) 8 Queen of Pop? (7) 12 Species of penguin with a striking yellow crest (8) 14 Recipient of a telephone handset? (8) 17 Last word of a prayer? (4) 18 Japanese rice dish (5) 19 Pleasant French city? (4) 20 Small attic room (6) 21 Beatle, John - - - (6) 23 New Zealand film-maker married to Rita Ora, - - - Waititi (5) 25 Astonish, astound (5) 26 Music icon who was the subject…