Table of contents for 18 February 2025 in Bella

Susanna's lifestyle overhaul Having endured 4am weekday alarm calls for the past decade owing to her presenting role on Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid previously admitted it leaves her in a ‘sort of energy deficit’. Discussing the cravings she would experience as a result of her early start, Susanna, 54, said, ‘All your body can think is, “have toast, have biscuits, have calories”, and you can pile weight on really quickly.’ Susanna – who follows a pescatarian diet and has been teetotal since 2019 – also opened up about her struggles to shift the weight she put on during lockdown. At that time, she also had ongoing skin issues too, so consulted her GP who called her BMI ‘worryingly high’. The presenter then set out on a lifestyle overhaul which…

Handing out books to the children in my class, I stopped when I got to a little boy called Nate. Even though he was only six, he had the reading age of a 10-year-old, so I handed him a more challenging book than the others. He'd only recently been transferred to our school and, before he'd joined my class, the headteacher had told me Nate had sickle cell anaemia and was in a wheelchair. I discovered that, when he was three, he'd had his legs, left arm, part of his ear and two-and-a-half fingers on his right hand amputated. My heart went out to him. He was such a lovely boy and a pleasure to teach. I'd recently got into a relationship with a fellow teacher at my school, Tim,…

Chocolate brownies Serves 12 Takes 45min, plus cooling • 185g unsalted butter, chopped • 185g 70% dark chocolate, broken into small pieces • 3 large eggs • 275g golden caster sugar • 40g cocoa powder • 85g Matthews plain flour • 50g white chocolate, chopped • 50g milk chocolate, chopped • 150g raspberries 1 Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl set over a small saucepan of simmering water – do not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water. Alternatively, microwave for 2min on high, stirring every 30sec. Leave to cool to room temperature. 2 Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C. Line the base and sides of a 20cm square tin with baking paper, leaving 2 sides overhanging. 3 With an electric mixer, whisk the eggs and sugar together for…

I found out the truth Q My friend has been with her husband for over 30 years, and they've always had a good marriage looking at it from the outside. But I found out through a mutual friend that for the first 10 years, her husband was sleeping around. This mutual friend knew him through work, and said he had sex with at least five co-workers that he knows of and imagines there were probably more. This was before they had kids but were living together as a proper committed couple. In fact, it may have gone on whilst the kids were little, but apparently nothing's happened for the last 20 years or so. I was so shocked when I found out, and I don't know what to do with…

A ward season is in full swing and the great and good of the big screen will be taking their seats at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in London, hoping to walk home with a BAFTA. Lucky for us, we get to watch the trophies handed out and enjoy all the gorgeous outfits while sitting on the sofa in our pyjamas! Of the 42 films that have received a nomination, Conclave, Emilia Pérez and The Brutalist are the most nominated. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are up for their first BAFTAs for Wicked along with Selena Gomez, Demi Moore, Guy Pearce and Zoe Saldaña, who will all be hoping to bring home a trophy. David Tennant, 53, is back on hosting duties and says he's as nervous as some…

After 32 years as Sonia Fowler, it's been confirmed that EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy will be leaving the BBC soap. Revealing the news, Natalie, 41, wrote, ‘I have decided to move on to pastures new. EastEnders is in my bones, so I will never forget where I started my career.’ She later added, ‘I'm 42 this year, and I feel like it's time to be brave. You don't want to get to 70 and think, “I never tried that.”’ Her final scenes as Sonia are set to play a pivotal role in the soap's upcoming 40th anniversary at the end of February.…

Pick up the lingo It's always good to have a few choice phrases handy for when you go abroad. That way, you won't find yourself in a situation like Bridget was on her ski trip in Lech, Austria. Always prepare! If, for example, you're going to be introducing an author at his book launch in front of the actual Salman Rushdie, it's always good to prepare something to say beforehand so you don't accidentally insult everyone in the room. Ask for help Not everyone needs to be good at everything. Learn from Bridget's mistakes and get some help – it's better than serving your friends blue string soup at your birthday dinner. Love is timeless As she returns to our screens in Mad About The Boy, Bridget is juggling Mr…

Marks & Spencer Get the most for your money by pairing this waistcoat with a slip skirt for a fancy dinner, or over jeans during the weekend Cotton Traders Shirt, 8-22, £34; Jeans, 8-22, £35, both Cotton Traders; Sunglasses and bag, both Stylist's own Cream and beige hues will instantly make your clothes look more expensive Mango Pair this blouse with a pair of bootcut jeans and boots for an effortless daytime ensemble Matalan A colour-pop coat may seem scary, but it's the perfect addition to a neutral outfit – and perks up the day Next Blazer, 6-22, £60; Trousers, 6-22, £32; Shoes, £34, all Next Hot-pink hues will give your traditional two-piece a modern makeover Details like chic gold buttons will give your outfit a high-fashion finish River Island…

Peering at the computer screen in front of me, I tried to block out my throbbing headache. Tiredness seeped through me and I was finding it difficult to concentrate on my work. A colleague had even remarked that I looked unwell. It was 2014 and I'd been plagued with heavy periods and bouts of sickness for several months, and I wasn't getting any better. I made an appointment with the GP, and my heart sank when he told me I could be suffering from an early menopause and was prescribed pills to help with my heavy periods. I was only 41 and it seemed so unfair. Months later in 2015, I had my routine smear test. I always made sure I went every three years because I'd had an abnormal…

As we left the clifftop restaurant, my boyfriend Sam and I were almost knocked sideways by the blustery wind. It was August 2021 and we'd just enjoyed a lovely three-course meal given to us as a present by his mum, Sally, to celebrate our fourth anniversary. But it felt like a gale outside, so I was keen to get home and snuggle up in front of the TV. Suddenly, Sam grabbed my hand and suggested we go for a walk which I thought odd, given the turbulent weather. Then he told me to sit down and asked me what was in my pocket… Confused as to why he was asking, I fumbled around and pulled out a tube of Bonjela mouth gel and then a tampon. I laughed, although I…

As I put my sore feet up on the pouffe, I sighed. It was Christmas Eve 2019 and, at eight months pregnant, I was exhausted. I couldn't wait to have a rest but, just at that moment, my mum's little Terrier cross, Ruby, came padding over and hopped up on the sofa. I stroked her silky caramel fur and scratched her ears. It was a particularly exciting time because Ruby was also expecting her first litter of puppies and the dad was Mum's other dog, three-year-old Teddy. ‘I wonder which of you will be first,’ my sister, Alice, said, laughing. Mum said the vet wasn't able to tell when Ruby was due so we joked it might be the same day. We'd had a wonderful Christmas at Mum's with my…

For the week 11–17 February PISCES 20 February – 20 March Your current need to keep a little part of yourself separate from the rest of the world is beginning to fade, although it's not over yet. From the 14th you're thinking and talking about personal topics, which makes you much more outgoing. Theme of the week: Kindness 0906 650 7241 ARIES 21 March – 20 April It's a great week to try something new. Be prepared to shake off the shackles of something that you once loved but which no longer belongs in your life. Try to stay calm on the 16th when you're easily agitated, especially by tiresome domestic details. Theme of the week: Chums 0906 650 7230 TAURUS 21 April – 21 May Being a Taurean means…

Ruth Langsford has opened up about her divorce from Eamonn Holmes, revealing that her marriage breakdown has been ‘very difficult.’ Discussing her split from Eamonn, 65, last year – which saw them call time on their 27-year relationship – Ruth, 64, shared, ‘Relationship breakdowns are difficult, but you just deal with it and you have to move on. You can either let yourself crumble or you pick yourself up and get on with life. It's a choice.’ She added, ‘I'm not delighted my marriage is over, but I've accepted that my marriage is over, so I am trying to now embrace the fact that I'm single and can make choices that are about me.’ The Loose Women star also revealed how her split has taken its toll on her body.…

Bright Eyes Revive tired-looking peepers with this moisturising cream. Not only will the ultra-hydrating formula work to plump fine lines, but it will also counteract the ageing effects of digital pollutants, such as the blue light from phone screens. Bubble Star Dew Hydrating Eye Cream, £14 Skin Healer Clinically proven to hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier in just 15 minutes, this milky serum is an absolute saviour for anyone with sensitive skin. Featuring a natural ‘anti-stress molecule’, it will soothe and bolster a compromised complexion. INKEY List Ectoin Hydro-Barrier Serum, £15 Bargain Hero Get soft, shiny hair with a little help from this bargain leave-in conditioner. Formulated with hyaluronic acid, jojoba and almond oils, it will refresh and nourish thirsty strands without weighing them down. Not bad for a…

Shuffling forwards in the queue, I felt nervous. But it wasn't the upcoming thrills of Thorpe Park's Vortex ride, swinging away overhead, that was worrying me. ‘You'll be fine,’ my friends insisted. ‘You're not that big.’ It was 2019, and that phrase was something I'd told myself my whole life. I'd been heavier than my friends for as long as I could remember. Even in primary school, my concerned mum had whisked me off to a see a private dietician to try to get on top of my growing size. But I was active too. I swam six times a week for Portsmouth and stayed fit as I went into adulthood. I met my husband Steve at the gym in 2015. But when I wasn't working out, I'd eat what…

As my boyfriend Tommy held the positive pregnancy test in his hands, he looked at me in disbelief. His face reflected how I felt – shocked but ecstatic. I'd always wanted to be a mum, but after years of being told I'd never have children, I didn't think it would happen. Although this was a dream come true, I knew I had a challenging time ahead of me. I was living with motor neurone disease (MND), and doctors were unsure how my body would cope. I'd first realised something was wrong in 2013. I was often falling over and slurring my words, then I developed a strange limp and weakness in my left hand. I was referred to a neurologist, and that November, I was diagnosed with MND. I'd never…

Robyn 28 February, Secret Location ‘Hello, Mr Fikowsky,’ I say when my former social worker finally prises his eyelids apart. ‘Whaaaa…?’ he mumbles, trying to remember how to speak. ‘You scared me there. I thought I'd hit you too hard or in the wrong spot or something. You've been out for quite a few hours.’ He blinks his bleary eyes and then moans loudly because the pain in his skull has obviously just made contact with every single nerve in his pain centres and they are not playing nicely together. He moves his right hand to his head, trying to check the areas of particular tenderness even though all of it hurts. He realises quickly that he can't touch his head, he can't in fact move either of his hands…

Journaling can be hugely beneficial If you're finding it hard to lose weight, there could well be an underlying reason you haven't thought about. We reveal simple, effective ways to give your weight-loss a boost! Not getting enough iodine According to the World Health Organisation, the UK is now classified as iodine deficient. A lack of iodine can affect thyroid function, and maintaining healthy thyroid function is vital for good health and weight management as it controls the body's metabolism and helps with energy levels, hair, skin and nails. Good iodine sources are white fish, dairy and seaweed. Seaweed also contains a pigment called fucoxanthin, which can help to stimulate fat metabolism. Try adding seaweed to soups, stews or salads, or check out Japanese recipes for inspiration (a fifth of…

Swap out your regular cocktail glasses for some fun novelty ones Pair varied shades of red and pink for a pretty romantic look Mix up different textures and shapes. These playful scalloped-edge mats bring the table to life…

£50 Star letter Thank you! I wanted to say well done, and thank you, for making all issues so inclusive for women of all sizes, ages and backgrounds. I read a lot of magazines and find Bella to be the most inclusive in everything from the fashion choices to the celebrities. I think any woman could find themselves in an issue of Bella, which is rare these days! Vikki Feltham A lasting legacy Pop star, musical theatre legend, broadcaster, loving sister and a wonderful human being who lived life to the full, Linda Nolan will be sorely missed. I loved reading your feature on her (issue 4). It's sad the family lost another member to cancer, but they should feel proud that Linda will leave a lasting legacy on the…

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE His 2004 Super Bowl performance landed him in hot water after exposing Janet Jackson's boob to the world, but JT was given a chance to make amends 14 years later in 2018 with a phenomenal half-time show. LADY GAGA An artist loved for her looks as much as her music, Lady Gaga's 2017 appearance was always going to be a sparkling affair – literally! With hits like Born This Way and Telephone to rattle through, the 38-year-old had fans eating out of the palm of her hand. MADONNA She was 53 when she performed at the Super Bowl in 2012, but the Vogue singer showed us that age is but a number as she enlisted Nicki Minaj and MIA to join her on stage, along with gladiators, acrobats…