Table of contents for 10 December 2024 in Bella

With just three weeks to Christmas, the race to get the coveted top spot is intensifying. Among the hopefuls after the coveted festive Number One single are Perrie Edwards, Ed Sheeran, Sabrina Carpenter and Tom Grennan. Wishing us a ‘Perrie Christmas’ is the Little Mix singer. Her single Christmas Magic is a merry tune, complete with jingle bells and jaunty bridge – with the 31 year old, her fiancé Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and their three-year-old son Axel in plaid pyjamas in the music video. Favourite Ed, 33, is hoping for another Perfect end to 2024 with Under The Tree from Richard Curtis’ new animated movie That Christmas. ‘The scene we wrote this song for is so heartbreaking, but so real for many people at Christmas spending it without the ones they…

Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2011 nuptials were, to many, the wedding of the century. But one attendee whose memories of the day are slightly less glowing is the Princess of Wales's own brother, James Middleton. The 37 year old admitted that he hadn't understood the ‘scale and grandeur’ of the event, which was watched by more than 60 million people across the world, when he'd said yes to giving a speech. ‘I didn't think it would be as big as it was so I agreed and then I was in too deep to pull out,’ he said. James explained that his sister had wanted their family to play a role in the ceremony at Westminster Abbey – with their father Michael giving Kate away and sister Pippa Kate's maid…

After leaving This Morning last year, Holly Willoughby has been slowly making her way back into the spotlight ahead of her new hosting gig on ITV's You Bet!. It seems the best is yet to come, however – with an insider telling Bella that Holly has another exciting project planned for 2025. Revealing Holly's return to her daytime TV throne, the insider said, ‘Holly hopes to start her own show, and ITV are in talks to facilitate this. She wants to launch an all-female talk show and have some of her celebrity friends involved – the likes of Kate Thornton, Nicole Appleton, Emma Bunton, and even Fearne Cotton if she can persuade her. With a cuttingedge narrative and a crossover onto live streaming platforms, Holly is pegged to be the…

No Kirsty Ketley, 44, freelance writer Christmas Day proposals often get labelled as tacky, but for me, this sentiment completely overlooks the genuine, heartfelt reasons why so many people choose this day for such a special moment. I got engaged to my husband of 13 years on 25 December and it was honestly just perfect for us. Only the two of us at home, a love letter and a diamond ring, it wasn't tacky or gimmicky and it wasn't in front of people – especially strangers, which my husband knew I would hate. Yuletide, with its cosy atmosphere, twinkling lights and festive spirit, is the ultimate romantic time of the year. You only have to watch The Holiday, Love Actually or any Hallmark movie, to see that and getting engaged…

Instant decs From creating a tablecloth to decorating baubles, you don't have to be a full-time crafter to fill your home with handmade goods. Your essentials The right kit will get you sorted for making and creating all your essentials this Christmas. From decorative tape to window stickers and rubber stamps, you can't go wrong. Foliage creations Bring nature into your styling and decorating this season. Foliage from the garden mixed with a few faux flowers and berries will make a big difference to your dining table, gifts and decoration around the home. Craft kits From giving or making affordable gifts, there's a craft kit for everyone's ability.…

Laid-back vibe Located in the Eastern Caribbean, this under-the-radar gem is just 16 miles long, but is home to over 30 beautiful beaches and a hundred restaurants. The feel of the island is very casual, with the focus mainly on relaxation and excellent cuisine, rather than nightlife – although there's no shortage of delicious rum cocktails on offer. And, with its unique blend of Caribbean charm and rich British heritage, this spot attracts visitors from around the world to experience its welcoming community and stunning natural beauty. So, if you're a fan of good quality food, turquoise waters and powdery sand, you're sure to fall in love with Anguilla. Where to stay We stayed at the luxury Zemi Beach House, which offers a fantastic service from start to finish. The…

Amanda Holden BGT judge Amanda, 53, channelled bad-witch energy in a green Latex ensemble by Atsuko Kudo Couture. Kristin Chenoweth Dancing through life and onto the red carpet was 56-year-old actor Kristin in a structured gold strapless mini dress by Pamella Roland. Frankie Bridge Saturdays star Frankie, 35, made a bold appearance in an Arcina Ori gown, which created the most stunning silhouette. Cynthia Erivo All eyes were on Elphaba as Cynthia, 37, wowed in a statement vinyl Louis Vuitton dress, paired with a fabulous feathered cape. Ariana Grande The singer and actor, 31, defied limits and dared to be unforgettable in a fuchsia-pink Louis Vuitton column gown. Jennifer Lopez Never one to shy away from a standout number is 55-year-old J.Lo, and this embellished cut-out Zuhair Murad dress is…

Richard's Rev-elations I'm A Celebrity… star Richard Coles has shared his secret to a fulfilled life. ‘The secret of happiness is to be prepared to make an idiot of yourself,’ the former pop star, 62, told Bella. ‘Don't beat yourself up if you find that you are, after all, human like everybody else.’ Farewell, Adele! Adele's lengthy Las Vegas residency has come to an end, with the star, 36, telling her final crowd that she was ‘genuinely sad’ to say goodbye. And no wonder, given she reportedly raked in £536,000 for each of her 100 shows. Pout and about Victoria Beckham has shared the heartbreaking reason she often doesn't smile in photos. The Spice Girls star, 50, admitted that she used to be so selfconscious and ‘uncomfortable’ that she would…

‘I held onto Theo with all my strength’, says Louis Mullan, 36 When 15-year-old Louis Mullan arrived in Thailand with his mum, Catherine, 53, dad, Leonard, 50, and younger brother Theo, 11, they looked forward to a tropical Christmas abroad. On Boxing Day, Louis sat on his veranda and looked out to Khao Lak's turquoise water – water, that in just a few moments would claim the lives of half of his family. Louis says, ‘Theo and I were listening to music and playing cards when my dad came over and said, “Come and have a look – the locals are all looking at the waterline.” As we made our way there with our parents, I realised I hadn't locked my room and worried my CDs would get stolen, I headed…

tried & tested Want voluminous, sleek, bouncy and healthy locks? Airwraps use new technology that loops hair around the barrel and dries with hot air instead of just heat Best for quick drying Shark FlexStyle Combining a dryer, curling wand, volume brush and curl diffuser in one nifty tool, this comes with four attachments and three speed settings to create your desired look. If you're short of time, the hairdryer attachment will be your best friend. We found that our hair dried in under half the time it usually takes and it was left looking smooth and silky – something that we find difficult to achieve with other tools. Our only slight negative was that when using the auto-wrap wands, the hair tool becomes very long, which can make it…

COOKING… Opies preserved fruits range is perfect for pimping up your festive menu, as well as being the ideal luxury gift. The four most popular fruits, all steeped in Luxardo liqueur, are now available in a stylish Kilner jar. Choose from Peaches in Brandy, Black Cherries in Kirsch, Forest Fruits in Mulled Gin and Baby Pears in Amaretto (all RRP £14.95). Visit bennettopie.com to buy and for recipes. SIPPING… Independent tea brand Bird & Blend has a wonderful range of gifts (for you or a loved one) this Christmas – perfect for Secret Santa or any lovers of tea. We're big fans of the on-trend Candy Cane Matcha (£20), the Loose Leaf Starter Kit (£30), which includes an infuser mug or Brewdini steeper, and the Merry Christmas Tea Gift Cube…

£50 Star letter A marvellous mission The article ‘Can you make a child's Christmas extra special?’ (issue 46) made me smile and cry. I've been fortunate enough not to be in Helen Howell's situation and have been able to make my children's Christmases special. It's good to hear she's in a better position now. Thank goodness for Cash For Kids and people like Nikki. I'll certainly be buying an extra gift for them this Christmas. Esther Newton, Retford Keeping it real I enjoyed Nadia Sawalha's refreshingly honest interview (issue 46). I'll be celebrating the same milestone – my 60th – soon and I agree with her, that at our age there's far more important things to worry about than gaining a few pounds. I echo her thoughts that we're lucky…

Cooking with Jamie Jamie Cooks Christmas, Sunday 8 December, Channel 4 Join Jamie Oliver as he hosts a Christmas party for his family and friends and gets us ready for the festive catering challenge. Recipes include what is sure to be a controversial make-ahead Christmas cauliflower lasagna, but Jamie is all for letting his veg take centre stage. ‘We often think of winter as a bleak time for the British garden, but it really isn't – root vegetables are at their best right now,’ says Jamie. ‘Planning ahead is absolutely key for a stress-free Christmas. You can make delicious food that will surprise and amaze your guests, without the chaos.’ STILL STANDING Elton John: Never Too Late, Friday 13 December, Disney+ Elton John is looking back on his life and…

It was December 2018 when, during a Christmas shopping trip to London, my partner Brian and I headed to The Savoy for afternoon tea. As the waiter put the cake stand on the table, I spotted an engagement ring nestled between all the sweet treats. A piano began playing the traditional wedding march and, suddenly Brian, 48, popped the question. ‘Yes! Of course!’ I said, thrilled. I'd been a single parent to my daughter Yvie and working in my local village pub in Southminster, Essex, around my day job in finance when I'd met Brian, who was a pub singer. Now, three years on, I was overjoyed at the prospect of becoming his wife. That Christmas was spent in a loved-up bubble, happily planning our big day. Brian had always…

It's likely been a while since you tried to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, or vied for the role of Mary in a nativity play – the days when Christmas seemed strange, rare and oh-so exciting. As we age it seems to come around quicker each year, so it's perhaps natural that some of the magic of the season disappears. ‘It can be tricky when there's so much pressure to be happy’ ‘As we grow older, our foundation of happy beliefs and rituals is overtaken by other realities and worries,’ explains Georgina Sturmer, Counsellor (georginasturmer.co.uk). ‘Understanding where the gifts really come from, taking on the work that's involved in “delivering” Christmas, budgeting, cooking, preparing and planning. And it's amid this logistical, practical set of preparations that our sense of…

MORE FLIGHTS TO MEXICO Virgin Atlantic is returning to Mexico next year with a new three-times-weekly Cancun service set to take off on 19 October 2025. As a Heathrow exclusive, these flights will start flying ahead of Mexico's peak season between November and April, ideal for those looking to escape the cold UK winter and catch some warm sunshine. These direct flights will operate for the first time in nearly six years and look to be hugely popular. To book, visit virginatlantic.com. ITALY'S HILTON HOTELS Hilton have announced the launch of two new hotels in Italy that are set to open in spring 2025 ahead of peak summer season. DoubleTree by Hilton Naples Oriente will have 112 rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, rooftop bar and is within walking distance of…

The Six Triple Eight Based on the inspiring true story about the first and only Women's Army Corps unit of colour to serve overseas in World War II. Despite facing racism, sexism and gruelling work conditions, the 855 women were united and committed to sorting a three-year backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail. Bringing hope to the front lines, these unsung heroes are finally getting the recognition they deserve. Adam Riches And John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’ Forget pantomimes and carol singing; this is the Christmas show you never knew you needed! Showing for just 14 nights at London's Soho Theatre, these performances see comedy legends Adam Riches and John Kearns join forces to become musical stage icons Michael Ball and Alfie Boe. Expect stupidity, silliness and…