Table of contents for 18 November 2025 in Bella

Get ready for one of TV’s most heartwarming nights. Children in Need is back, and this year’s line-up is seriously star-studded! Rochelle Humes, Paddy McGuinness, Mel Giedroyc, Big Zuu and Lenny Rush are all gearing up to host an evening packed with unforgettable moments. With last year’s jaw-dropping £39.2 million raised, the pressure’s on to top it, and we can’t wait to see what surprises are in store. Expect lots of feel-good fun as well as a few tears, with sketches from BBC favourites The Apprentice and Gladiators, plus moving performances and heart-melting appeal films highlighting the important work the charity does for young people. BBC Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox is getting in on the action, taking on the epic Great Northern Marathon Challenge, in which she will run…

No It fills me with joy’ Sonja Morgenstern, 48, casting director I’m not passing judgement on someone’s home if I grab a spray or cloth, instead it’s an attempt to put a bit of a spark into their day. Nobody loves doing chores, but it fills me with joy to be able to help. After becoming a parent, cleaning for others is one of my love languages. When my son was small, we spent a weekend at a friend’s house. She and her husband both worked from home, and one of their children is disabled. Their toilet was in such a state, I concluded that they, understandably, simply didn’t have time to clean. So I got to work until the look regained its sparkle and it had a welcoming fragrance. I…

Centrepieces This Specially Selected Crackling Gammon Joint is so delicious, we wouldn’t miss the turkey for a second. The sugar-baked delight was around last year, but we think it has even more crackling in 2025 for your buck. Great for the main event, and any leftovers on Boxing Day. Winner Runner-up The Best Signature Tree Bone Steak is so juicy and tender, we’re still dreaming about it! A thick-cut 14-day matured T-bone with a chimichurri rub and rosemary and thyme butter, it’s perfect served with roasties and veg. Ideal for two greedy (or four not-so greedy) people! Highly Recommended We didn’t want to choose two beef centrepieces, but we couldn’t leave this Slow Cooked British Beef Shin with Bone Marrow out, as it’s too delicious. Tender, with a rich buttery…

Sugar rush A combo of pearlescent pink and silver is ideal for this whimsical trend. Think fairies, nutcrackers and a dusting of snow to compete the look. Pre-lit trees are perfect for this style Traditional opulence Keep the classic red and green, but give tradition a twist with rich textures and playful accents for a kitsch festive flair. This look can be carried through to the dining space Midnight blues Indulge in a luxe navy Christmas, with shimmering gold accents adding glamorous sparkle for an unforgettable, extra-special feel. Keep it cosy with plenty of warm lighting Pink party Dial up the festive cheer with dopamine brights to flood your home with a riot of neon colour. Kids will love this look…

Santa sightings You don’t need to splurge on grotto tickets to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas. Across the UK, Santa makes plenty of free appearances – you just need to know where to look. In Middlesbrough, the town’s bumper Christmas weekend includes a festive parade, live music and light shows – with Santa often leading the fun. In Glasgow, Buchanan Galleries is hosting a free Santa’s Grotto (gift included) throughout the season, while Essex libraries run festive craft corners featuring a special guest in red. Garden centres and supermarkets in the North and Midlands often welcome Santa without charge – just check local listings and arrive early for a chance of a cheery wave. Twinkling trails London’s festive lights are a free spectacle. Start in Covent Garden, then stroll…

Two of the sexiest septuagenarians, Anita Dobson and Nigel Havers, are at the centre of this heartwarming story, which celebrates the return of Play for Today. The show, which originally aired from 1970 to 1984, has been resurrected by Channel 5 with the same ethos. The series of one-off TV plays is designed to give writers, actors and producers from low-income backgrounds the opportunity to break into the TV industry. First up is a stereotype-busting take on ageing following fiercely independent Cynthia (Dobson, 76) who is forced to start over in a retirement village as she’s reluctantly moved in by her daughter (Tracy-Ann Oberman, 59). By chance an old flame (Havers, 73) is also a resident and secrets surface as they consider the next chapter in their lives. We spoke…

Priyanka Chopra Actor Priyanka, 43, stunned in a show-stopping red gown featuring a sheer, glittering tulle train and intricate sequin panelling. Eva Longoria Attending the 2025 Academy Museum Gala, the Desperate Housewives star, 50, slipped her figure into a jaw-dropping dress by designer Elie Saab. Hannah Waddingham Hannah, 51, shimmered in a gold embellished Pamella Roland frock, complete with a matching cape and clear Perspex heels for a sleek, modern finish. Elizabeth Hurley Liz, 60, looked sensational at the Attitude Awards in a figure-hugging pink sequin wrap gown, which featured a high-leg split and plunging neckline. Jennifer Lopez If ther is one celeb who doesn’t shy away from a bit of sparkle, it’s J.Lo, 56, who looked fabulous in an Elie Saab draped dress. Amal Clooney Amal, 47, lit up…

Reaching across the table for a helping of Chinese takeaway, I soaked up the happy chatter of my family. It was an unexpected pleasure as my husband Graham and I were empty nesters. Our son Tom, 22, was living in London, studying for a postgraduate qualification alongside working as a property surveyor, while our daughter Pippa, 21, was at university in Birmingham. But that weekend, three weeks before Christmas 2015, both of them were back home in Essex. ‘I’m not going to play hockey on Tuesday. I’ll go to training but my shin’s feeling a bit sore,’ Tom said. Hockey was a huge part of our family. It was how Graham and I had met 30 years earlier when I had a trial for a local club where he was…

Ace that base Instead of your daily lightweight tint, reach for a long-lasting foundation to create an airbrushed complexion worthy of those festive photographs. Kay Beauty Soft Matte Full Coverage Foundation, £18, is a great choice as it offers plenty of coverage without looking cakey. Brushing on a setting powder can also help to blur imperfections and prolong your makeup’s staying power. Invest in Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, £38.50. The powder, loved by make-up artists, helps to control shine without clogging pores. Finally, set your look in place with a setting spray, such as L’Oréal Paris Setting Spray, £9.99. Liven-up lids Whether you’re going bold or keeping it simple, it is important to prime your eyelids. We recommend gently applying a mattifying concealer, such as NARS Soft Matte…

With the party season approaching, we want to do all we can to prevent catching winter bugs. Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp, GP and British Menopause Society advanced menopause specialist, says, ‘Winter is the season when coughs, colds and flu are at their peak, but there are steps we can take to strengthen our natural defences. By making small lifestyle changes, we can boost our immune system and reduce the severity of illness when it does strike.’ We spoke to three top experts to find out what they do to improve their immunity and stay well during the colder months. Eat for your gut Around 70% of your immune system is in the gut, so looking after it is an obvious place to start when it comes to improving your overall immunity.…

Trespasses Sunday 9 November, Channel 4 It’s 1975 and the Troubles are shaping the lives of those living in Northern Ireland. When Catholic schoolteacher Cushla (Lola Petticrew) meets Michael (Tom Cullen), an older Protestant married man, who often defends IRA suspects, both know how dangerous a relationship would be. But neither seem able to resist one another. Gillian Anderson also stars as Cushla’s mother Gina in this adaptation of the best-selling novel by Louise Kennedy. ‘I fell in love with Louise’s stunning book when I read it in proof,’ Gillian explains. ‘I was immediately drawn to the tragi-comic creation that is Gina and couldn’t resist when Louise asked me to play her.’ BULLSEYE Sunday 9 November, ITV1 After last year’s hugely successful Christmas special, the classic darts show is back…

Natalie’s night out Natalie Cassidy celebrated husband Marc Humphreys’ 40th birthday at a swanky London restaurant. Accompanied by their daughter Joanie, nine, and Natalie’s daughter Eliza, 14, from a previous relationship, they posed with her Cooking with the Stars co-star Elliott Grover. Stacey hits Hollywood Stacey Solomon swapped Pickle Cottage for the bright lights of Hollywood. The TV personality, 36, was ‘bl**dy proud’ to support her sister Jemma’s label making business Stateside, describing the trip as ‘food for my soul’. Our new fave duo! Michelle Keegan and Reese Witherspoon, 49, celebrated the Legally Blonde star’s new book. The novel is co-authored with Harlan Coben, who the former Corrie actor, 38, worked with on Netflix series Fool Me Once.…

Slimming® WORLD BEFORE 18st 1.5lb Size 20 Still on a high from my 30th birthday party the night before, I scrolled through my phone to look at all the photos. As I swiped from one picture to the next though, my happy smile soon vanished. ‘Why didn’t anyone tell me I’d put on so much weight?’ I asked my partner, Matt. Then, before he even had a chance to answer, I added, ‘I have got to do something about it.’ And, for the first time in my life, I actually meant it. As a teenager, I was slim and didn’t think twice about what I ate. But after I finished school, I had a new boyfriend, who worked for a fast-food chain, and most lunchtimes he’d bring me a double…

Dr Jenna separates the facts from the fiction when it comes to all those things you might have heard. Feed a cold, starve a fever: ‘This is partly a myth. You need adequate nourishment and hydration, whether you have a cold or a fever. Illness increases metabolic demands, so gentle, nourishing foods can help recovery. But in a severe bacterial infection, there is evidence that withholding food can help with severity of symptoms.’ Rub garlic on your feet to ward off bugs: ‘Myth. Garlic’s immune-supportive compounds need to be eaten to be effective. Your skin won’t absorb them into the bloodstream in meaningful amounts, although it might be helpful for topical infections.’ Don’t go out with wet hair or you’ll catch a cold: ‘This is a myth with a sliver…

No, that sends the wrong message. It’s more fun for them to spend the day with their friends and celebrate with family afterwards. Sofia, Coventry Of course not! Does that mean that parents have to take the day off work too? And what if you have more than one child? Not realistic by any standards. Michaela, Manchester I don’t see why not – I take the day off work for my special day, so this shows our children that they’re as important and should celebrate themselves. Gillian, Hayle I can see why she feels this, given that many schools are clamping down on birthday treats. But being at school means they can be with their friends. Verity, Southampton…

FILM The Choral In 1916, as war rages on, a Yorkshire town has lost most of its men to the army. With the local choral society’s annual performance looming, the group enlists some unlikely teens and the musically gifted – but socially scandalous – Dr Henry Guthrie. As conscription papers arrive, the community brings power to the dark days as they discover that the best response to the chaos may just be making music together. EVENT Clays Soho The popular immersive shooting experience has opened its biggest venue yet, taking over three floors in its new Soho, London, flagship. Set in a ’30s Art Deco venue, the space blends games, private areas and late-night DJs with top-class cocktails and food. Christmas celebrations are available to book now across all London…