Table of contents for 29 October 2024 in Bella

this week in bella Love Actually's Martine McCutcheon has donned a sparkling jumpsuit and gifted us one of the best adverts of the year, and it's only October! The former EastEnders actor – who's debut track Perfect Moment reached number one in the UK charts back in 1999 – stars in the latest advert for Lidl singing a cover of Gina G's '90s hit Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit. However, this was no solo act – she was joined by Charity Shop Sue, Traitors star Diane Carson and Hunsnet founder Gareth Howells, all of whom were relegated to chorus parts. There must have been something in the air last week as Waitrose also employed some stardom for their latest ad. In theirs, the iconic S Club take to the stage…

Star performance Burberry employed a whole host of A-list actors for their latest campaign, including Oscar winner Olivia Colman. The Favourite star, 50, is seen driving around the British countryside swaddled in the famous checked print. As she gets her scarf stuck in the car door, she delivers her only line, ‘Oh, f***!' A sight for sore eyes Sophie Wessex, Duches of Edinburgh, 59 joined CBeebies Bedtime Story for World Sight Day to read Specs for Rex, a story of a young lion who doesn't want to wear his new glasses. She, of course, donned some lovely specs for the occasion. Material Girl TV host Kate Garraway, 57, channelled her inner pop icon and dressed up as Madonna for Global's Make Some Noise charity day red carpet, complete with a…

bella debate No Heidi Scrimgeour, 48, journalist ‘Surveillance is a lazy approach to parenting' As a mum of three, I do completely understand how tempting it is to put a tracking device on your kids. Whether it's the worry of them being snatched when your back is turned or the fear of them getting left behind on a school trip, the idea of keeping an eye on their every move can seem really appealing. But even though using tech to track children is becoming more popular, I don't think it's the right solution – for a few reasons. First of all, relying on a tracking device to keep kids safe feels like a bit of a lazy approach to parenting. My job is to teach my children how to stay…

One of the most common symptoms of the menopause is weight gain, particularly around our middle. We reveal why this happens and the effective, simple ways that can really work to help you slim down and get healthier. The menopause causes ‘When your ovaries begin to wind down, it puts a stress on your adrenal glands. This can cause a cortisol stress response, which tells our bodies to lay down more fat, particularly on our abdominal area, as it thinks it might need extra energy in times of a crisis,' explains Eileen Durward, Menopausal Adviser at A.Vogel (avogel.co.uk). She also says that lowering oestrogen levels can make our thyroid work less efficiently, which can impact our metabolism. This can also affect liver function, leading to reduced bile production, so fats…

Sarah Jessica Parker There's only one thing we want more than SJP's wardrobe – and it's the lowdown on her skincare routine. Unlike her fashion sense, it's simple, with E45's no-nonsense cleanser being one of her holy grails. ‘E45 has a nice face foaming cleanser, I love E45,' the actor, 59, revealed in a podcast. E45 Face Foaming Cleanser, £9.99 Catherine Zeta-Jones Curious how Catherine Zeta-Jones looks so youthful? On Instagram, the 54-year-old revealed her beauty cabinet is filled with over £2,000 worth of high-end skincare, including this collagen packed cleansing balm, which is known for it's plumping properties. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, £49 Jennifer Aniston Now nearing her mid-50s, Jennifer seems to be ageing backwards. As well as ‘water, sleep and sunscreen,' the Friends star, 55, says a scoop…

Look fab, FEEL GREAT! She's usually on our screens dishing out advice to the newlywed couples on Married At First Sight, and now sex expert Charlene Douglas has more wisdom to impart in her new book. In Come Closer, Charlene gives advice on reigniting the spark, having more orgasms and finding the time for sex. Come Closer: Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask A Sex And Relationship Therapist by Charlene Douglas is out now. Reignite flirting In long-term relationships, it can be easy to lose that initial spark. Charlene says, ‘People underestimate the work that is needed to keep a relationship alive. They often think that because they love each other, things will just be fine. But we have to be a bit more intentional. I suggest to a lot…

She won over the nation when she first hit our screens on the smash-hit dating show, My Mum, Your Dad last year, while also catching the eye of silver fox Roger Hawes with her infectious personality and stunning appearance. And Janey Smith, 48, is refreshingly honest about her figure. ‘I feel good about myself,' she says. ‘I mean, I've got a wobbly tummy and a few lumps here and there, but it doesn't bother me because I love my food and a glass of wine. ‘Do I feel sexy? Yes, I do!' ‘I don't tie myself up in knots about how much I weigh. When I watched the show back, I thought, “Bloomin' heck, that telly has put 7lb on me,” but then I meet people and they say, “Oh,…

Halting Homelessness Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 October, ITV1 Go behind-the-scenes with Prince William in this exclusive ITV documentary that follows the launch and first year of his ambitious Homewards project – tackling all forms of homelessness, which in his own words, ‘touches the lives of far too many people'. He'll visit the London Borough of Lambeth, where 12 months ago he began the fiveyear initiative to change perceptions about what rough sleeping really means in 2024 and to develop bespoke solutions to homelessness in six locations across the UK. The Prince of Wales will also be speaking to those currently in crisis or who have experience of living on the streets – something he truly believes can be ended. The future monarch says,…

Taraji P Henson The 52-year-old brought plenty of glamour to the red carpet in a textured Schiaparelli gown, complete with dramatic oversized sleeves and cut-out detailing. Julia Garner Inventing Anna star Julia, 30, never seizes to amaze us with her red-carpet looks and this gorgeous Gucci number, in this season's hottest olive green hue, is one to remember. Naomie Harris Who said suits were just for the office? The Skyfall actor, 48, was a pro channelling sophisticated chic in this silver metallic co-ord with matching clutch bag. Lady Gaga The Joker: Folie à Deux superstar, 38, kept things simple in her demure midi dress paired with platform Louboutin heels and a cute beret-style hat. Nicole Kidman The revival of the corset was spotted on 57-year-old Nicole as she made a…

celeb news Phantom of the Opera Russell Watson's home life took a dramatic turn when he discovered that his farm was haunted by a murderer. The opera singer, 57, was alerted to the ghost's presence for various reasons. He told Bella, ‘My groundskeeper saw a bloke all dressed in black stood in our woods, but you can't get into our woods – it's a sheer drop from a cliff edge. And I saw someone sitting on a tractor.' Royally scary Long before becoming Queen and moving into Buckingham Palace, Camilla, 77, lived at Bolehyde Manor with her children Tom and Laura Parker-Bowles. Tom, 49, has since described the 17th-century house located in Wiltshire as ‘haunted', sharing, ‘My mother says she woke up one night, in the middle of the night,…

Holding my little grandson River's hand, I said goodnight to everyone and headed up to my hotel bedroom. It was 2023 and we were at my daughter Hannah's wedding, which should have been one of the best days of my life. But, in my size 18 dress, I'd felt unattractive the whole day so instead of staying to celebrate with friends and family, I pretended I needed to get River to bed. As I shut the bedroom door, I vowed never to let myself feel like that again… I hadn't always been big. Growing up in Manchester, I was a slim, active teenager, playing rounders and netball for the school. My mum Christine, now 77, cooked traditional meals of meat and two veg and we rarely had crisps or sweets…

The ‘couplepause' is a relatively recent concept. It was coined by two Italian professors as a way of raising awareness and helping heterosexual couples in their 40s and 50s, who find themselves experiencing the menopause and andropause (often misleadingly referred to as the ‘male menopause') at roughly the same time. Dr Hannah Allen, a GP and medical adviser for menopause website Health & Her, acknowledges it isn't something recognised by medical bodies like NICE or the British Menopause Society, but says, ‘We do know that hormones for both women and men deplete after the age of 40.' Here, we explore what's going on – and what it might mean for our relationships. Midlife issues While the idea of the male menopause remains contentious – it definitely doesn't manifest itself in…

Slimming World Kitchen Slimming World Kitchen The team at Slimming World have launched their first ever recipe box delivery service, and we can't rave about it enough. We were impressed with the big portions, amount of fruit and veg, plus the variety of exciting flavours. Everything was fresh, well-packaged and delicious. The ingredients arrived already measured out, but a handy recipe booklet was also included so we can make them again. Our favourite was the Jerk Chicken with Rice and Zingy Mango Slaw. So zingy! Prawn Risotto with Spinach and Tomatoes was also great. And as it's Slimming World, all recipes have a Syn value (everything we tried was Free!), and the full nutritional information is in the back. Our recipes took 30-45 minutes to cook, but they were delicious so…

FILM The Room Next Door Once close friends and colleagues when they worked at the same magazine, Ingrid and Martha have since found themselves on different paths. While Ingrid went on to be an acclaimed autofiction novelist, Martha became a war reporter. After years of being out of touch, the pair meet and reconnect again at a time when Martha is facing a terminal diagnosis. PODCAST Stirring It Up With Andi & Miquita Oliver The mother-daughter duo are leaving the kitchen table for season five of Stirring It Up, as they head on a journey across Scotland to reconnect with family, catch up with old friends and make new ones along the way. Miquita, who is half Scottish, reconnects with her father and learns more about her heritage while sharing…

celeb news Coleen Rooney could be set to spill the beans on her WAG life like never before, with reports that she's signed up for I'm A Celebrity as their most expensive star ever. The 38-yearold is thought to be receiving a recordbreaking salary –surpassing politician Nigel Farage's £1.5 million fee – to appear on this year's series of the hit ITV reality show. ‘I'm A Celeb bosses have pulled off a huge coup getting Coleen for the jungle this year and the team are thrilled to have her on board,' an insider said. ‘She's always been a massive fan of the show and loves watching it with her boys. ITV are over the moon that the stars have aligned this year and she can fit it in. The series…

Gabby Logan is one busy lady. After spending her summer jetting across Europe to host the UEFA Euros in Germany and the Olympics in Paris, she's now preparing for an equally manic autumn fronting the Champions League football coverage on Amazon Prime. Gabby, who has been married for 23 years to former Scottish international rugby player Kenny Logan, has also balanced the demands of her impressive career with being a busy mum to their two children, twins Lois and Reuben, 19. And in-between she's found time to host a successful podcast, The Midpoint, where she talks candidly to well-known faces about their midlife challenges and expectations. She's refreshingly honest about her own experiences with midlife, too, including the challenges of the menopause. Here, she talks about menopause awareness, reveals why…

Bella PRO-AGE Beauty Awards 2024 SKINCARE Anti-Ageing Day Cream WINNER: Avon Anew Skin Renewal Power Cream, £21 Caroline Reid, Director of Brand and Content, says, ‘A silky-smooth cream which sinks in quickly, leaving my skin soft and hydrated. It matches the smell and feel of a high-end, luxury moisturiser and a little goes a long way. After just two days of using it day and night, my complexion looked much brighter, plumper and glowing. Absolutely LOVE it!' RUNNER UP: Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Firming Serum-in Moisturiser, £49 Luxury Day Cream WINNER: Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, from £64 Cigdem Tanrioglu, Style Content Editor, says, ‘This cult classic has been my go-to for years. The rich, creamy moisturiser sinks effortlessly into skin, leaving complexions looking instantly refreshed. And because it's packed with…

Look fab, FEEL GREAT! While it may not feel like a positive thing, anxiety does play an important role in keeping us safe when we need to be. But according to psychotherapist Anna Mathur, many of us live in a hypervigilant state, meaning we feel anxious and fearful a lot of the time. She explains, ‘We need to be aware of possibilities and dangers in life. Imagine a zebra in a waterhole – they need to have their wits about them in case a lion is near. But these days we have the internet, so we hear about illnesses we would otherwise have never known existed, and traumatic world events, so we have a lot of extra information. This can send our anxiety into overdrive.' In her new book, The…

As I put the last of the children's clothes away in the wardrobe, I heard the faint ringing of my mobile. It was my husband Angel, which wasn't unusual as he often checked in with me after I'd dropped the boys at school. ‘I've had a lucky escape!' he said when I answered the phone. He went on to tell me that the fraud team from his bank Revolut had called to say someone had been trying to access his business account. Call it instinct, but alarm bells started to ring, and I immediately worried it could be a scam. ‘Are you sure they were genuine?' I asked, nervously. He said during the 30-minute phone call they'd asked him if he had made a transaction in B&Q on the Isle…

escapes Discover and explore Walking across Charles Bridge towards the castle will take you across steep steps and charming cobbles, but the views at the top are worth the trek – especially at sunset. Old Town Square is a peoplewatching paradise while you sip on a Vietnamese coffee or cocktail. The bustling area really comes to life at Christmas too, with stalls selling mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. Over the river Vlatava, John Lennon Wall of Freedom attracts people from all over the world eager to add graffiti and lyrics to the famous wall. Beautiful & bustling atmosphere The pretty Czech capital is a city overflowing with history, stunning architecture, winding cobblestone streets and delicious food. Praha (to the Czechs) is relatively small and easy to navigate on foot as…

TV interview The hunt for the next superstar chef is on, with Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti back in the kitchen searching for that special person who has what it takes to make it to the top in the culinary world. Viewers know the drill by now – judges Marcus, 54, and Monica, 49, are joined by host Gregg Wallace, 60, as well as a selection of Britain's best-known food critics. Series 17 is quite the biggie for Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Marcus – who's ranked up 10 years on the show. We caught up with them to talk unusual food pairings, filming secrets and if they really are the best of pals… Marcus, this is your 10th year on the show – how does that feel? Marcus: The time…