Table of contents for 14 May 2024 in Bella

this week in bella Fifty years after ABBA became a household name when they won the Eurovision Song Contest with their hit Waterloo, the continent's greatest music competition returns to Sweden. In 2024, the 68th edition is being held in Malmo. The UK – who last year hosted on behalf of Ukraine – has their hopes pinned on former Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander, who is going it alone for the first time to represent the country with his latest single Dizzy. Speaking about the upcoming competition, Olly says, “I really can't believe I'm going to be a part of such a special legacy and fly the flag for the UK in the gayest way possible. I'm determined to give it everything I've got and put on an excellent…

Up bright and early every weekday to host her eponymous daytime TV show, Lorraine Kelly's glowing complexion and ever-warm smile belie her four decades in showbiz. Since first starting on TV-am back in 1984, Lorraine, 64, has become the ultimate daytime TV sweetheart – ticking off an impressive roster of news shows including GMTV, Good Morning Britain and Daybreak – before her fame afforded her to drop her surname completely when landing her own show. And with two honorary doctorates, a 2011 desert hike, a BAFTA nomination and an upcoming BAFTA Special Award under her belt, it's hard to believe Lorraine is about to enter yet another huge life chapter. Announcing earlier this month that she is about to become a grandmother for the first time when her daughter Rosie…

I was sitting next to my mum, Mary, as she lay in her hospital bed when she reached out and held my hand. “Look at me, Tina,” she said eventually. “Please don't end up like me.” I knew exactly what she meant. At 69 years old, Mum must have weighed over 20 stone, which at only 5ft 2in tall, was far too heavy. She'd struggled with her weight ever since having me and my three siblings and that, coupled with her health problems of lymphoedema, blood clots and issues with her heart and kidneys, meant she struggled to get around. For years, her bed had been on the ground floor because she couldn't manage the stairs and now she was in hospital after having her kidney removed and was very…

Terri-Ann has shared a week's worth of some of her favourite slimming meals and snacks with you. She says, “Springtime is the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate your health and embark on a journey towards a fitter, healthier you. Shedding those extra pounds and adopting a more active lifestyle doesn't have to be daunting or complicated. On my plan you can lose up to 7lbs in the first seven days, then a healthy 1-2lbs a week after that.” HOW THE PLAN WORKS • Have three healthy main meals. Breakfasts are around 300-350 calories each, lunches and dinners are around 450-500 calories each, and you can have 200-250 calories of snacks a day – make sure your total is 1,500 calories (daily targets are great, but also remember to look at your…

better health Our personal lives are open to a continuous series of challenges, but the day-to-day struggles for one group in particular, termed the Sandwich Generation, can lead to intense feelings of strain and exhaustion. Adults in their 40s and 50s who are caring for their ageing parents, as well as raising or supporting their growing children, are dealing with a host of responsibilities every day that can have implications for their own mental health. The Sandwich Generation, who are constantly being pulled in two different directions, is on the rise with research showing there are now 1.3 million people in the UK with this twin responsibility. It's been reported that sandwich carers are more likely to experience poor mental health, including anxiety and depression. They might also feel less…

MOLLIE'S MANCHESTER Hotel and diner brand Mollie's is opening its third and largest property in Manchester in summer 2024. Comprising of 128 rooms across five floors, the project is set to transform the former Granada Studios building into a “budget luxe” hotel haven. Despite the wallet-friendly price point, expect top-notch interiors designed in collaboration with Soho House, merging classic American vibes with modern elegance. Visit Mollies.com. GOODNIGHT TRAIN The European Sleeper service, which connects London and Berlin via Brussels, has recently extended to Dresden and Prague. Dubbed the “Good Night Train”, the route now consists of Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, Saxon Switzerland, and the Elbe Valley, before arriving in Prague. The whole route takes around 15 hours, leaving Brussels at 7:22pm and arriving in Prague at 10:56am the following…

Nicole Richie Nicole ticked the stripe trend in a three-piece pinstripe House of Harlow suit. We love the black accessories that add a chic edge to the look. Janelle Monae Actor and singer Janelle embraced the bold in a vivid Sergio Hudson red suit, complete with ultra-flared trousers and cupped pockets on the blazer. Gabrielle Union The Bring It On star kept it subtle yet stylish in a yellow Frankie Shop blazer and trouser combo. The subtle hue is giving us strong Spring vibes. Laura Whitmore Laura gave tailoring a modern twist with decorative details. This Hellessy blue suit was elevated with button-up trousers and a large ruffle corsage. Keke Palmer Actress Keke stole our attention in a Michael Kors pastel suit. We're big fans of the tonal styling with…

Susanna Reid is still very fond of her former Good Morning Britain co-host Piers Morgan, admitting that they remain “very connected”. Ten years since the show first aired, the pair – who hosted the show together for six years until 2021 – seem to be just as close as ever, despite Piers, 59, dramatically leaving the show following on-air comments he made about Duchess Meghan Markle. “I am still friends with Piers,” Susanna, 53, revealed. “We were doing a story about potholes last week and I got a text from Piers saying, ‘You are currently filming in the car park next to my home in Sussex. I can tell you personally what the potholes are like.’ So he still watches and tells me what he thinks. And, look, we are…

No Rachel Jones, 36, Bella Deputy Editor I don't think it's weird to holiday without your spouse, I think it's healthy. In fact, I started married life with a 12-week solo sabbatical, backpacking around Asia. As a newlywed, I took leave from work and jumped on a plane on my own. After five weeks of travelling around Sri Lanka and Indonesia, my husband Dean joined me for three weeks for our honeymoon in Borneo. Being back together was romantic, fun and exciting – one of the best holidays of my life. We chatted all night and had a brilliant time together, but then when it was over, he flew home and I headed on to Bangkok for another month of travelling without him. It might sound extreme to some, but…

escapes Woodlands Grove Caravan & Camping Park, Devon Woodlands Grove is the ideal holiday park for families as there is something to keep everyone entertained. Set in the South Devon countryside, the site offers spacious all-weather and grass pitches with a range of on-site facilities. Stays of two nights or more give guests free entry to the 90-acre Woodlands family theme park that will keep children occupied for hours with its water rides, zoo farm and fairground rides. There is an on-site general store, a pizza takeaway open in the evenings and kiosks serving ice cream and drinks during the summer season. • Prices for a one-night stay on an electric terraced pitch start at £38.50. Visit Woodlandsgrove.co.uk for more information. Baystone Bank Farm, Cumbria Located in the Lake District's…

From the very first episode of Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour, it becomes clear that Rob Rinder – better known as Judge Rinder – and Rylan Clark are a match made in heaven. Their natural chemistry as they follow in the legendary footsteps of English poet Lord Byron on the Grand Tour – an 18th century custom for English aristocrats travelling through Europe – elevates what could have been just another arts-based travel show. Rob, 45, and Rylan, 35, have been friends for years, but it was filming this show after their divorces – for which they shared the same lawyer – that truly united them. They chat to Bella about the experience and how Rob earned the nickname Nonna… First things first, how did this series come about? Rylan:…

My shop bell rang and in walked a tall, handsome man in a suit. “Can I help you?” I asked. “I'm looking for a rice steamer,” he replied. The shop, which I'd spent years building up, sold retro goods. I told him we didn't sell rice steamers, but he carried on browsing. “Actually, I'm looking for someone exactly like you,” he smiled. “I'm David Checkley. Can I have your number?” I was 54, divorced and had been single for ten years. Busy raising my son, Scott, romance had been the last thing on my mind. But now, I found myself unable to resist David's charms and threw caution to the wind and gave him my number. We exchanged a few messages and, when he invited me to his house, a…

Serum A good serum will penetrate deep into the skin's base layer, working hard to act as a barrier to the onslaught of daily environmental irritants. Add vitamin C into the mix and you'll also reduce discolouration caused by pigmentation, smoothing your complexion, giving you a youthful glow. New launch Moisturiser Face the day with renewed skincare confidence. A vitamin-C based moisturiser will deliver a powerhouse of protection from damage caused by UV rays and pollution, whilst boosting your natural collagen production, fighting the common signs of ageing. Switch to a gel-formula moisturiser for the summer months Body Body care is big news in beauty right now, and vitamin C-enriched body products can be used to brighten and renew your limbs whilst retexturising ageing skin, especially these who suffer from…

cookery Pickled prawn bánh mì with brown butter mayonnaise Serves 1 Ready in 40 mins, plus chilling and pickling 1 very crunchy little baguette 1 heaped tbsp store-bought taramasalata 1 heaped tbsp brown butter mayo (see right) 150g pickled prawns (see right) Handful of pickled carrots (see right) ½ long red chilli, thinly sliced on a diagonal, seeds and all A few splashes of Maggi Hot Sweet Sauce and fish sauce 4 sprigs each of coriander, parsley and mint, leaves picked and mixed 1tbsp peanuts with skins on, roughly crushed 1 Cut the baguette in half lengthways but not all the way through. Smear the taramasalata over the top and the mayo on the bottom. 2 Put the pickled prawns in, in an even-ish layer, all over the bottom, followed by the pickles, then the chilli and a few splashes…

After changing into my pyjamas and switching on the TV, I got ready for a night with my two-year-old son, S'aad. We'd been in hospital for the past 48 hours, as S'aad hadn't been well, but it looked like my little boy was finally on the up. I was hopeful we'd be back home with my husband Mohammed and older son Adam, four, soon. As I settled in, a consultant entered the room. S'aad was already asleep, so I beckoned her outside to chat. Little did I know, my world was about to shatter… ‘Was I going to lose him?' “S'aad has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia,” she said. It was a rare type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. My mind whirred with questions. How did my bright,…

news & views £50 Star letter Brave mothers The interview with Gloria Hunniford (issue 17) was so sad to read. She bravely shared her story about losing her daughter Caron 20 years ago – it must be common to struggle to find meaning after such a loss. My brother died six years ago, he was a brilliant playwright and the world is a sorrier place without him. Despite her grief, my mum, like Gloria, has tried to carry their child's spirit forward. I admire them both immensely. Ginette Hughes, Turnford Sharon vs Amanda It's rare these days to get a showbiz spat out in public like we have with Amanda Holden and Sharon Osbourne. It was interesting to read about it in issue 17, but I do think for both…

Award-winning giggles Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan are hoping to keep things running smoothly at The BAFTAs. All the best stars on the box will be there and Lorraine Kelly is picking up a Special Award for her contribution to TV. Michelle Visage and Tom Allen will be meeting guests on the red carpet, and Tom told us, “The thing about the red carpet is they all arrive in an ongoing march of people coming towards you – like a zombie apocalypse of celebs – so you have to be focused, energised and nimble. I'm going to be drinking a lot of espresso.” Meanwhile Michelle will be taking a healthier approach. “I always have fruit on standby, water and lots of mints!” she adds. The BAFTA Television Awards, Sun 12…