Home//Bella/25 February 2025/In This Issue
Bella|25 February 2025HAPPY BIRTHDAYEASTENDERS!It’s hard to believe it’s been four decades since we first met the residents of Walford and EastEnders hit our screens. Since 1985, we’ve been treated to many iconic moments, from ‘Dirty’ Den Watts’ legendary delivery of divorce papers to wife Angie, Stacey Slater’s affair with her father-in-law Max Branning being uncovered on Christmas Day, Sonia Jackson unexpectedly giving birth at the age of 15, and perhaps the most quoted soap moment of all time from Kat and Zoe Slater: ‘You ain’t my muvva…’, ‘Yes I am!’ We’ve also been touched by the tragic deaths of some of our favourite soap characters, with Tiffany Mitchell being hit by a car on New Year’s Eve in 1998 and Lola Pearce-Brown dying from a brain tumour in 2023. And we’ve been kept…1 minBella|25 February 2025tv choice AWARDS 2025Kym’s legacy to Dad After losing her beloved dad David to prostate cancer in January 2024, Kym Marsh plans to raise funds and awareness to help combat the disease. ‘He really wanted us to continue to do that after his passing and we’re very determined to do it,’ said the actor, 48. The star-studded TV Choice Awards 2025 took place in at the London Hilton on Park Lane last week. Find out who took home the trophies at tvchoicemagazine.co.uk Mum-and-son day Amid rumours she has rekindled her romance with retired boxer Ricky Hatton, Claire Sweeney spent Valentine’s Day with her son Jaxon, nine. ‘I always get him a card. As long as we do nice things together, he’s happy,’ the 53-year-old star told Bella. Eternal-ly yours Kéllé Bryan told Bella…1 minBella|25 February 2025Andrea’s horror health battleTV presenter Andrea McLean has revealed a terrifying health scare led her to have an extended stay in hospital. After experiencing a seven-day bout of flu-like symptoms in December, the former Loose Women host collapsed in her bathroom, with her husband Nick Feeney forced to call an ambulance because she was in such a bad way. She was taken to A&E where she had scans and tests, which discovered she had ‘severe pneumonia, acute kidney injury and sepsis,’ she wrote online. ‘Things happened quickly; drips, super-strong antibiotics via IV and orally, and I was transferred to the Emergency Assessment Ward. I spent two days and nights there, in almost constant pain.’ She was then transferred to a respiratory ward, where she spent another three sleepless nights before being allowed home…1 minBella|25 February 2025WILD THINGSkirting Around This A-line skirt will effortlessly skim over hips, creating a streamlined silhouette Mix and match this co-ord for endless outfit opportunities Retro Flare Channel this season’s ’70s trend with ruffles and a pair of bootcut jeans Daytime Dress The trick to wearing a printed frock? Keep the rest of your outfit simple Revamp your classic coat by opting for a leopard version instead Clashing prints are a great way to add interest to your look Cover Star Pop a cropped jacket over a tailored jumpsuit for a day in the office Weekend Wonder Red and beige tones are the perfect partner for a printed waistcoat…1 minBella|25 February 202520 habits to LOSE WEIGHTIn his brilliant new nononsense book Fat Loss Habits, fitness coach Ben Carpenter reveals the science behind fat loss and healthy habits that really work. He tells Bella, ‘Many of us know the simple things that can work to help us burn excess fat – like reducing our calorie intake. However, the real problem we need to solve is how we take this basic-sounding information and put it into action, consistently. Most of us only follow a diet for a few weeks before we give up, so instead we need to shift the focus from short-term behaviours to sustainable long-term habits.’ Here are 20 changes that he recommends… 1 Healthy habits To form new healthier habits you need to decide on your goals, then choose a simple action, with a…6 minBella|25 February 2025Healing POWERScars are more than just marks on the skin; they tell a story of survival, strength and sometimes profound emotional challenges. Scar massage therapy is a growing field and addresses not only the physical, but also the emotional impacts of scarring. We spoke to registered health professional and qualified scar massage therapist, Nina Parnham, for her insights into the transformative power of this practice for treating scars left by anything from post-surgical recovery to C-sections. Common problems Nina frequently works with scars resulting from C-sections and breast cancer surgeries. ‘The classical incision used for a C-section is preferred as it heals better than a vertical scar and is less visible,’ she explains. However, these scars can become ‘pinned and stuck’, especially as women recover in a flexed position. This can…4 minBella|25 February 2025SPRING CLEAN DREAMBest budget Titanium Airgility Cordless Vacuum Cleaner Easy to use, this vacuum is lightweight and feels great value for money. There are two settings, regular and power mode, but we used the power mode every time as it provided stronger suction. The 1.2L dust container is simple to empty and the unit is compact for storing away when not in use. Changing the different brush nozzles was easy to achieve, however we found that after using the cleaner multiple times, dust would get caught in the joint between the nozzle and tube which was frustrating. ● beldray.com Best for pets Henry Quick Pet This new cordless Henry didn’t disappoint – it was quick and easy to set up and came with clear instructions. The unit is fairly light and easy…4 minBella|25 February 2025‘My 10-year-old goddaughter was stabbed to deathBY HER MUM’As the woman sat down on my sofa, clutching a bin bag of clothes, I noticed she looked really nervous. Her name was Jaskirat but people called her Jasmine and she’d turned up at mine with her boyfriend Hardi, who I knew from the local shop that his dad owned. ‘We’ve got to move out of our shared accommodation,’ Hardi told me. ‘And Jasmine is four weeks pregnant. Please can we stay with you until we get something sorted?’ There was no way I was going to leave a pregnant woman out in the street. I had a spare bedroom in my house in Smethwick, West Midlands, so I said they could stay for a few weeks while they got themselves sorted. Jasmine soon came out of her shell but…6 minBella|25 February 2025The Floating CityWhy go? Think of Venice and you think of gondolas, beautiful buildings and its world-famous canals - and it’s on the water that you’ll enjoy the best experience of this magical city. A river cruise is a convenient and romantic way to soak up the sights and sounds, not mention sample some delicious food along the way. Hop across the lagoon to Murano to see the intricate work of the glassblowers, and tour the neighbouring island of Burano with its handmade lace and technicolour houses. Venice is a feast for the senses and this is the way to see it in style. All aboard! The MS Michelangelo is your home from home. Moored at St Mark’s Square, right in the heart of the city, there are two decks for up…3 minBella|25 February 2025‘My wife said, “You won’t believe who’s in our kitchen…”’It was during lockdown while he was filming in Toronto that Irish actor and comic Chris O’Dowd first got the inspiration for his new drama Small Town, Big Story. It stars Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks as Hollywood TV producer Wendy Patterson, who returns to her rural Irish home town of Drumbán to film her latest series. But she also shares a secret from the eve of the Millennium with respected doctor Séamus Proctor, played by Paddy Considine, whose life threatens to unravel following her arrival. Meanwhile, Chris, who created and wrote the six-part series, makes a cameo as the show’s author, Jack E McCarthy. Can you tell us about the drama? It’s set on the border of the Republic of Ireland, in the north, in a small town that has…4 minBella|25 February 2025Who’s the next Bond?THEO JAMES Actor Theo, 40, earned a whole new legion of fans with The Gentlemen and James Bond is basically the ultimate gentleman. Maybe that series was his unofficial audition for the role… AARON TAYLOR-JOHNSON There’s not a single red carpet that Aaron, 34, attended this year on which he wasn’t asked to comment on the 007 rumours. Eventually he joked, ‘You sick of asking the question?’ JOSH O’CONNOR From Prince Charles in The Crown to a down-on-his-luck professional tennis player in Challengers, there’s no denying that Josh, 34, has range. But is he too cool to take on James Bond? PAUL MESCAL The 28 year old isn’t averse to a franchise (Gladiator II) nor a book adaptation (Normal People), plus his girlfriend, popstar Gracie Abrams, could provide the soundtrack…1 min
Bella|25 February 2025Meghan: ‘Diana is mymentor’Meghan Markle has been more present than ever in recent weeks – the face of charity work, an upcoming Netflix series, and an ever-supportive wife at Prince Harry’s Invictus Games. Now, our source says the duchess is drawing on her late mother-in-law when it comes to her public persona. Last week marked the opening of the 2025 Invictus Games, with Meghan, 43, touching down in Canada alongside Prince Harry, 40, for his event. As the Duke of Sussex gave his opening speech to the cheering Vancouver crowds, Meghan watched on supportively before giving her husband a quick kiss on stage. Making her own speech, she gushed, ‘You are [Harry’s] family, just as we are his family, and I hope you recognise how much of his heart he has poured into…4 minBella|25 February 2025‘My mastectomy scar reminds me I’m here - I’VE SURVIVED’Having been a walker her entire life, Julia Bradbury has been lucky enough to turn her lifelong passion into a career, fronting shows such as Britain’s Best Walks. But while she’s always had a special relationship with the outdoors, it’s become even more important in recent years. Following her breast cancer diagnosis in 2021, and subsequent double mastectomy, she credits walking for helping strengthen her body and soothe her mind. And while Julia is now cancer free, she has decided to completely overhaul her lifestyle and has become fascinated by what she calls ‘the science of wellbeing’ – something she’s explored in her recent book Walk Yourself Happy. Here, the busy TV presenter and mum-of-three (to son Zephyr, 13, and twins Zena and Xanthe, nine) tells us how her breast…4 minBella|25 February 2025WHAT’S BEING DONE TO GET JUSTICE?● The grooming gang scandal first hit the headlines in 2013 when Sammy Woodhouse, who is now a campaigner, gave an interview anonymously that exposed the abuse that she and many other children had experienced in Rotherham. ● Sammy was just 15 when she fell pregnant after being raped by the ringleader of Rotherham’s notorious child sex gang. After the story about child sexual exploitation in the South Yorkshire town broke, an independent inquiry was launched, which found she was among at least 1400 children subjected to sexual abuse by grooming gangs. It also revealed they’d been failed by police and local authorities, who either didn’t believe what they were being told, played it down, or were too nervous to act. ● Last year, a similarly damning report into grooming…1 minBella|25 February 2025Beauty BuzzGo Back To Basics Ideal for the time-poor, ‘skinimalism’ is all about stripping back your routine to just a few hardworking items. ‘Opt for products that hydrate and enhance your skin’s natural texture,’ advises Aimee Connolly, Founder of Sculpted by Aimee. Start with a ceramide-rich serum like Sculpted by Aimee HydraGlo, £27, to strengthen your skin’s barrier and promoting a lit-from-within glow. Follow with La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5+, £10.90, to soothe sensitive skin and provide a serious hydration hit. Bring the trend to your make-up bag with L’Oréal True Match Nude Plumping Tinted Serum, £14.99, which is powered by hyaluronic acid to plump your complexion while concealing imperfections. Get Your Beauty Sleep If there’s one trend making waves in 2025, it’s Sleepmaxxing – which means making the most of…2 minBella|25 February 2025THE FIT LISTJOURNAL YOUR JOURNEY Track your wellness goals in style with the Papier Happy Stripes Wellness Journal, papier.com, £26. From workouts to meals to mood, this cute journal keeps everything organised. Plus, the vibrant stripes will brighten up your desk – motivation guaranteed! FEELING PEACHY Packed with 20g of protein per scoop, MyProtein’s Clear Whey Peach Tea Protein Powder, myprotein.com, £36.99, helps build and repair muscle without the heaviness of traditional shakes, making it a refreshing drink during, or after, your workout - no gloopy texture here! MINI BAG, MAJOR STYLE The Active Mini Gym Bag, Primark, £12, is the bag to grab for your next workout. Compact but roomy enough for shoes, your water bottle, and more. Plus it’s super cute with that pop of pink. Bella loves PICKLEBALL POWER…2 minBella|25 February 2025SCAR SAVIOURSIncorporating the right products can enhance scar healing. ‘Different scars require different support,’ Nina explains. ‘For example, silicone strips are ideal for thicker, raised scars, while oils work well for general hydration.’ Her recommendations include: ● ROSEHIP OIL: Hydrates and softens the scar tissue. ● SILICONE GEL OR STRIPS: Considered the gold standard for hypertrophic scars, these help flatten and smooth raised areas. ● ALHYDRAN CREAM: A scientifically-backed option that attracts and retains moisture, promoting skin flexibility.…1 minBella|25 February 2025Over to YOU!£50 Star letter Sad news It was so sad to learn that Pauline Quirke has been suffering with dementia since 2021 (issue 5). I, like so many, have watched her on TV for decades and she has always been a joy on screen. I thank her for entertaining us for 50 amazing years. We are all rooting for her and she is in my thoughts. Manisa Kuinkel, Harrow Pure admiration Wow! It was amazing reading Teg Turner’s story in issue 4 – she really is half the woman she used to be! What willpower and discipline it must have taken to shed 10 stone. I admire anyone who can lose weight, but I hope it’s done more for health reasons rather than looks, because I think all women are beautiful,…1 minBella|25 February 2025Dear Kate…I found out my dad isn’t my dad Q My sister and I decided to buy each other DNA tests as we’ve always had a small family and wanted to know if there were any family members we didn’t know about. We were shocked to find out when the results came back that we were only 50% related. We have since discovered that my mum had an affair, and I am not my dad’s biological child. Which means my daughter, his only grandchild, isn’t biologically his either. My mum has kept this secret for 34 years. My dad has completely shut down and won’t talk to anyone. He’s moved into the spare room, and hardly leaves it. He isn’t talking to friends or leaving the house at all. I’ve tried…5 minBella|25 February 2025TV WEEKUntold story Dope Girls, Saturday 22 February, BBC1 The First World War changed so much for women who, when the men returned, were not all ready to go back to their roles in the home. This much-hyped new drama, follows Violet Davies (Eliza Scanlen), who becomes a pioneering police officer on an undercover mission to investigate the illicit world of underground London nightclubs. Meanwhile, single mother Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson), takes full advantage of the new air of hedonism by setting up a club and employing the likes of Billie Cassidy (Umi Myers), a dazzling bohemian dancer. This ambitious new drama highlights a fascinating time in Britain’s history. FRESH TALENT Britain’s Got Talent, Saturday 22 February, ITV1 Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and Bruno Tonioli are reuniting to find…3 minBella|25 February 2025PuzzlesPRIZE crossword WIN £200 Solve the crossword to find, reading from top to bottom in the shaded squares, the name of a British actress. This is your competition entry answer. See the ‘How to enter’ panel, below right. Across 1 Occurring once a year (6) 4 ‘Globe’ vegetable (9) 8Jamaica Inn author, - - - du Maurier (6) 11 Small salty fish (7) 12 Body-raising exercise (5-2) 13 Top part of a fraction, anagram of MANURE ROT (9) 15 Golden - - -, popular song from decades ago (5) 16 Noel and Liam Gallagher’s band (5) 18 Drink made by mixing beer and lemonade (6) 19 ‘Filthy’ money (5) 21 Chicken chunk covered in batter or breadcrumbs (6) 23 Housebreaker (7) 24 - - - Taylor, Corrie’s Toyah Battersby (7)…6 min
Bella|25 February 2025Gino’s ‘vile’ comments over HollyAs she tried to focus on the launch of her new Netflix show, Holly Willoughby was unintentionally embroiled in fresh controversy when TV chef Gino D’Acampo was accused of ‘sexually inappropriate’ and ‘intimidating’ behaviour spanning 14 years. The Italian presenter, who worked with Holly on This Morning and Celebrity Juice, was alleged to have made ‘vile’ sexual comments about her, according to a woman who filed a complaint. The unidentified woman claimed that Gino, 48, told her that he was often asked who he would most like to sleep with, out of Holly or her Celebrity Juice pal Fearne Cotton. According to The Sun, Gino said, ‘If I could put the face of one on the body of the other then maybe, but I’d probably choose Holly because I’d have…4 minBella|25 February 2025Davina: ‘So angrey’ over brain tumourDavina McCall has revealed her feelings about her brain tumour for the first time, admitting she was initially consumed with rage. The Masked Singer judge and fitness fanatic said she was furious after discovering that the colloid cyst, a rare type of benign tumour which can ‘very, very rarely cause sudden death’, was in her brain during a health check-up last November. She underwent life-saving surgery to have it removed that same month. ‘I felt like this thing had taken control of me and I was so angry about that,’ she told Dragons’ Den entrepreneur and fellow podcaster Steven Bartlett on her podcast Begin Again. ‘I couldn’t let it go. [I thought] “How dare you control my daily life like this and make me feel every day like I’m in…3 minBella|25 February 2025Is Bridget Jones a toxic role model?No ‘I like her - “just the way she is”’ Elaine Hayward, 43, writer Reading the latest round of Bridget bashing, I almost spat out my chardonnay. ‘A dreadful and misogynistic role model,’ wrote one writer and ‘the embodiment of all those toxic behaviours that have long held women back,’ said another. Ouch – poor Bridg! Yes, Bridget Jones is flawed. She drinks too much, obsesses over her weight, and makes some questionable dating choices. But toxic? That’s too far. Bridget is kind, funny, loyal, resilient, and loving. The whole point of her character is that she’s relatable – a woman muddling through life, making mistakes, and dusting herself off with a self-deprecating laugh. Like Mark Darcy, I like her ‘just the way she is.’ The character emerged in the…2 minBella|25 February 2025‘Losing 12st has made me a whole NEW PERSON!’I remember the first time I ever felt overweight. Aged 18, I looked down at my size 18 shorts and saw how uncomfortably tight they were. But instead of changing my eating habits, I just stopped wearing shorts. As I got older, I had a loving family, brilliant friends and built a solid career with the civil service. I wasn’t slim but I was happy. Life was so good that I ignored my growing size as I fell into the habit of skipping breakfast and eating mac ’n’ cheese with crispy kale on my lunch breaks with a chocolate mousse for after. I loved walking, always getting at least 10,000 steps a day, and would cook myself healthy dinners of things like salmon, steamed vegetables and rice. I thought my…5 minBella|25 February 2025Sweet TreatsDespite its lovely lightweight texture, this honey vanilla cleansing balm is very effective at removing even the most stubborn make-up and SPF. Plus, it smells amazing! Farmacy Beauty Limited Edition Honey Vanilla Green Clean Cleanser, £34 When we want a deep pamper, this vanilla bomb transforms our bathtime regime. Dropped into a running bath, the sugary scent lingers in the air and perfumes your skin. Lush Butterball Bath Bomb, £3 Infused with Kakadu plum and exfoliating AHAs, this luxe shower foam cleanses, nourishes, and brightens skin, all while smelling delicious – it’s a must-have for all skin types. Sundae Very Vanilla Whipped Shower Foam, £12.99 This combination of comforting and syrupy scents features caramelised vanilla and toasted macadamia nut for an indulgent, good-enough-to-eat twist. Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa ’71 Perfume…1 minBella|25 February 2025What’s for dinner?Spicy Korean kimchi noodles Serves1Takes15min ● 200g udon noodles, fresh or shelf-stable/vacuum-sealed ● 1tbsp vegetable oil ● 1 garlic clove, finely minced ● 80g bean sprouts ● 120g cabbage kimchi, excess juice squeezed out (see Tip) ● 2 spring onions, cut into batons,white part separated from the green part ● Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional) FOR THE SAUCE ● 2tbsp kimchi juice from the kimchi jar (see Tip) ● 1tbsp gochujang ● 1tbsp honey ● 1tbsp light soy sauce (do not use dark) 1Prepare the udon noodles according to the pack directions (usually soaked in boiling water for a few min), then drain in a colander. Time the noodles so they are tossed into the pan when hot – don’t leave them sitting around in the colander. 2Heat the oil…3 minBella|25 February 2025AT-HOME HELPWhile professional therapy is invaluable, at-home care can complement sessions. Nina recommends starting with these simple techniques: ● WARM UP THE AREA: Place warm hands over the scar for two minutes to relax tissues and create a connection. ● GENTLE CIRCULAR MOTIONS: Use two fingers to make light circular movements around and on the scar. ● ZIG-ZAG TECHNIQUE: Apply gentle zig-zag motions with your fingers across the scar. ● STRETCH AND PIN: Pin the scar at one end and lightly brush a finger across its length. ● DEEP BREATHING: Especially beneficial for torso scars, deep breathing acts as an internal massage to promote circulation. ● STRETCHING: Gentle stretches help maintain tissue mobility and prevent tethering.…1 minBella|25 February 2025Talking pointI agree with your writer Samantha Priestley – keep it to your back garden! Tiegan Crawford, via Facebook Perhaps, like nude beaches, there should be areas where people can wear what they want and keep public spaces for all the rest of us? Millie Hughes, via Facebook There are too many rules in the world; let people do what they want. Shirley Smith, via Facebook When I was younger I wouldn’t have thought twice about where I wore my bikini, but as I have grown older that has changed – as has my body! Betty Kent, via Facebook…1 minBella|25 February 2025HoroscopesPISCES 20 February – 20 March Are you ready to attract some attention? Prepare to step into the spotlight, particularly if you want to remind certain people of your skills or talents. Early in the week is great for planning your next career move or how to achieve a current goal. Theme of the week: All is well 0906 650 7241 ARIES 21 March – 20 April You’re entering a quiet phase in which you’ll enjoy retreating from the world around you every now and then. Not only will this give you some much-needed privacy, it will also mean you can reflect on what the past few months have brought. Theme of the week: Recovery 0906 650 7230 TAURUS 21 April – 21 May Enjoying the company of friends will…3 minBella|25 February 2025NEW THIS WEEKFILM The Monkey Based on the short story by horror legend Stephen King, this adaptation follows twin brothers, Bill and Hal, who find their dad’s mysterious wind-up monkey in the attic. After a series of deaths occur, the boys throw away the toy and move on with their lives. However, 25 years later, a new killing spree begins, forcing the estranged brothers to confront the truth. PODCAST How To Date Best-selling author Elizabeth Day and relationship expert Mel Schilling have joined forces to unpack the complexities of modern dating. Having both met their husbands online at 39, the pair have been there, done that, and are now imparting their wisdom. Whether you’re decoding the apps after heartbreak or hoping to improve your current relationship, there’s an episode for every step…2 min
