Innehållsförteckning för 10 February 2020 från New Idea

VANESSA BRYANT: ‘I WISH I COULD HUG THEM’ Stars around the world are paying tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant after he and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, perished alongside seven others in a horror helicopter crash. The retired LA Lakers shooting guard, 41, passed away on January 26 in Calabasas, California when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed into the side of a mountain. Bryant was on his way to a practice session at Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks with his daughter and seven others – including two of Gianna’s teammates – when the helicopter went down. Bryant is survived by his wife Vanessa and three daughters, Natalia, 17, Bianka, 3, and 7-month-old Capri. Vanessa broke her silence on her unimaginable loss via Instagram. “There aren’t…

Is the grass greener on the other side? Just weeks after Harry and Meghan Markle’s shock royal resignation, reports have already emerged suggesting Harry, 35, is having second thoughts about the move. The former senior royals and their baby Archie have forged ahead with establishing a new life in Canada. Meghan, 38, in particular, appears to be relishing her new-found freedom and is busily making future plans for her career as well as the Sussex Royal brand. But an insider exclusively tells New Idea that Harry is said to be “struggling to cope behind closed doors” – and it’s become a source of “tension” for the couple. “He’s starting to have grave doubts about his decision,” the source reveals. Not only is Harry reportedly struggling to adapt to life outside…

It’s been no secret that Kate Ritchie’s relationship is going through a very difficult time, after it was reported that the police were called to her Randwick home in October last year, before her husband Stuart Webb was issued with an AVO. Now, with their marriage under huge pressure, friends close to the couple claim Kate is overwhelmed by the thought of a “messy divorce”. Apparently, the former Home and Away star ignored family advice to get a prenup before their 2010 wedding, and now faces paying half of her fortune to her unemployed spouse. With homes in upmarket Sydney suburb Randwick, the Southern Highlands and Bellevue Hill, Sydney, Kate has a healthy property portfolio. Along with her radio salary and high-profile endorsements, Kate’s value is estimated to run close…

Looking at the photograph, Jo Lloyd’s heart sank. She was standing next to her slender husband, Tim, on the day of her cousin’s wedding, squeezed uncomfortably into a floor-length purple dress. It was supposed to be a joyous occasion, but that snap filled 97.8kg Jo, then a size 18-20, with overwhelming shame. “The dress was so tight. I felt very unattractive and self-conscious. I felt terrible for not looking after myself.” Jo had struggled with her weight her entire life. Growing up, her parents owned a milk bar so sugary treats were available on tap. Even as an adult, Jo constantly had a packet of something sweet on the go. As the years went by, Jo’s unhealthy habits were exacerbated by heartache. Though she was blessed with two healthy children,…

Kit Kat Ice-Cream Cake Serves 8, Prep: 40 mins 2 x 170g blocks Kit Kat 25g unsalted butter, melted 600ml thickened cream 395g can sweetened condensed milk ½ cup caramel dulce de leche (See Tip) 1 Grease a 25cm round x 3.5cm deep, loose-base flan tin. 2 Break up 1½ blocks of the Kit Kat. Process in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter. Process until combined. Press evenly over the base of tin. Refrigerate. 3 Chop remaining Kit Kat into 1cm pieces and reserve for decoration. 4 Whip cream in the large bowl of an electric mixer until starting to thicken. With motor operating, pour in condensed milk and beat until soft peaks form. 5 Drizzle ¹/ ³ cup of the caramel over cream mixture. Swirl through. Dollop…

Double Chocolate Mousse Serves 4, Prep: 30 mins ½ x 250g packet Choc Ripple biscuits ¼ cup Nutella Ferrero Rocher chocolates, to decorate MOUSSE 100g dark cooking chocolate, chopped 2 eggs, separated, at room temperature 300ml tub thickened cream 1 Process biscuits in a food processor into crumbs. Divide evenly among four serving glasses (1-cup capacity). 2 To make mousse, place chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Sit bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted. Remove bowl. Quickly stir in egg yolks. Add 1 tblsp boiling water, stirring until smooth. Cool for 10 minutes. 3 Beat egg whites in a small bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gently fold into chocolate mixture, in two batches. 4 Beat cream in same, clean bowl of electric…

Assemble our Nutella Mocha Biscuit Cake • Spread ½ cup of Nutella cream into an 11cm x 30cm rectangle down the centre of a large, rectangular serving plate or board. Dip two biscuits into coffee, sandwich together with 1 heaped tblsp Nutella cream. Stand upright on one long edge in the cream at the top of the plate or board. • Working with remaining biscuits, one at a time, dip into coffee, then spread 1 heaped tblsp Nutella cream over one side. Press against biscuits on plate. Repeat with another four biscuits, coffee and Nutella cream so there are seven biscuits in the row in total. • Repeat with remaining biscuits, coffee and Nutella cream to make another three rows down with seven biscuits in each row.…

The holiday season is over and it’s time to get back to the daily grind of busy, multi-tasking mum-mode mornings! Follow these simple tricks to help get you out the door quickly and looking your best at the school drop-off zone. Face first If you can’t bear the thought of applying a full face of makeup, try these multi-tasking heroes to get your beauty look in a flash. 1 Try a BB cream in place of a foundation for a lighter option. These formulas even out skin tone and minimise the appearance of imperfections without masking your natural skin. Try a formula containing SPF to eliminate another step in your morning routine. Nude by Nature Sheer Glow BB Cream with SPF 8, $29.95, nudebynature.com.au 2 This little pot is genius.…

Reward programs can sometimes stack up, but only for those who have their financial act together – which means they are disciplined in paying off the debt in full every month. That’s because most credit cards with a loyalty scheme will be whacking you close to 20 per cent interest on the outstanding debt. Over a year, an average outstanding balance of $2000 will cost you $400 in interest payments. Just like a speeding fine, interest costs like this are a form of avoidable dead  money. And when you dig into the numbers, you find that interest costs are generally much higher than the equivalent cash value of the points used to purchase something. If you are someone that doesn’t pay off the balance each month, look for a low-interest-rate…

Over time, a little wear and tear of your clothing, shoes and accessories is unavoidable. But if you’re serious about prolonging the life of your favourite wardrobe pieces, try these simple hacks to keep your clothes looking new for longer. KNITWEAR Are pesky moths going to town on your clothes? Try placing a red cedar block in your wardrobe as this will deter cloth moths from eating your natural fibre garments, such as knitwear. Redecker red cedar block moth repellent $19.95 biome.com.au COATS & SWEATERS Give pesky pilling the heave-ho with a fabric shaver – or even just a regular shaver blade – to slice them off. Underarm and pocket areas are most prone to pilling as this is where the most friction occurs. Philips Fabric Shaver $13 target.com.au HANDBAGS…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 A glam outing or celebration will put you in high spirits. You’ll hit the mark with someone you’re keen to impress, a fun friendship or romance will gather momentum and catching up with someone will be a joy. An event for a loved one will set up a new chapter for them or in your relationship. An awkward exchange will need a gentle touch; there will be sensitive issues to handle diplomatically. LUCKY NUMBERS: 6, 19, 39 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 A rare family gathering will be a happy highlight; you may also celebrate a special success for a relative. A domestic achievement will do you proud; a project that’s been hard work will come to joyous fruition. Emotional family issues or…

Karina Machado is a journalist, host of the Spirit Sisters podcast and the author of Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies, a non-fiction series exploring the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. Now, on The Ghost Files podcast each week, Karina will introduce a guest who’ll share their personal encounter with the spirit world. COMFORTING PRESENCE For as long as I can remember, Mum told us her stories about her encounters with spirits,” says Vanessa, who shared that when her mum was pregnant with her, she was lying awake one night, feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of having another child. Then, “she looked in the doorway and saw a man with long hair leaning there with his arms against the door frame”, says Vanessa. “He gave her a…

As the only original cast member of Home and Away, Ray Meagher knows the iconic drama series better than anyone. And while the award-winning actor has certainly had his share of dramatic storylines over the past three decades, he was thrilled to see his alter ego finding happiness again. “It’s been a long time since (Alf’s second wife, played by Judy Nunn) Ailsa’s death, and the character hasn’t been involved romantically with anyone in all that time,” says Ray. “From my perspective, I thought it was terrific to see Martha return. Realistically, she left for all the right reasons those many years ago – because of her borderline personality disorder, which I don’t think would have been accurately diagnosed back then. At the time, she didn’t want to be a…

What’s this, Kate Jenkinson is out of Wentworth prison? Known for playing prisoner Allie Novak in the hit Foxtel show, Kate also has a role as a doctor in Season 4 of Doctor Doctor. “This show is entertaining and heartwarming,” the 38-year-old actress says of Doctor Doctor. Here, Kate tells us about her new gig as Tara and gives us the gossip on Wentworth. What’s it like joining the Doctor Doctor family? I’m discovering I have a career habit of joining well-established shows in the fourth season and reaping all the benefits of the hard work that others have put in. That’s what happened with Wentworth and now Doctor Doctor. I swan in like Meghan Markle and all I have to do is rock the boat, which my character does…

Justin Bieber was spotted at a ceremony to honour Universal Music Group’s CEO, Lucian Grainge, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But, all eyes were on his new blond hair, and fans aren’t loving it. In the past, Justin has pulled off different styles and colours, but this one hasn’t received the same, warm response with fans revealing their thoughts on the new look. Referring to a newly uploaded Instagram picture of Justin showing off his moustache and grills, one follower wrote, “What happened to you? You used to be so handsome.” He hasn’t commented on the public’s reactions yet.…

The Voice contestant Natasha Stuart has died aged 43 after battling breast cancer since 2018. She passed away last Wednesday, surrounded by her loved ones at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital. The Australian singer participated in the singing competition last year on Delta Goodrem’s team and had previously performed as a backup singer for celebrities including Jimmy Barnes and Boy George. Celebrity tributes have flooded in: “Gone way too soon,” Guy Sebastian wrote on Instagram. “What you added to everyone’s life can never be extinguished.” “Her smile and tone touched us all as a singer and as a person,” said David Campbell. “Many of us got to sit with Tash and say goodbye in the last few days she accepted us with the grace and warmth she always had.”…

Rumours that Kate and William are expecting a fourth child have been circulating for weeks. Now New Idea has learnt the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been given the green light to confirm their exciting news – that they’ll be welcoming a baby later this year! A palace insider reveals Kate and William told the Queen and senior royals about the addition to their family a while ago, but due to recent events, the palace decided to hold back on a public confirmation. “The immediate family has known about the pregnancy for some time, and while they were forced to postpone the announcement earlier this month amid Meghan and Harry’s bombshell, the Queen now feels this is the perfect time to share their happy news,” explains the source. In…

Struggling star Matthew Newton has dashed his parents’ hopes of him ever returning to Australia after choosing to start a new life in Los Angeles. The actor, writer and director, who is the son of Australian media royalty Bert Newton and his wife Patti, is reportedly desperate to get his career back on track in the US after battling his drug and alcohol demons. Matthew, 43, has long had a strained relationship with his famous parents, particularly after being accused of battering and stalking two of his ex-girlfriends. The former Underbelly star, who suffers from addiction and mental health issues, has lived a reclusive life since fleeing Australia and becoming estranged from his immediate family. The numerous public scandals he has left in his wake have meant Matthew can’t bear…

While most reality TV couples don’t make it in the real world, it’s clear Sam and Snezana Wood are the exception. The couple – who met on The Bachelor in 2015, have married and are raising a family together – are proof real that love can exist beyond reality show fame. Sam simply says he and Snezana were “meant to be”. “Meeting Snez was weirdly fate,” the 39-year-old tells New Idea. “We’re so well-suited, and when we met, we desperately wanted to grow a family. We balance each other and now our life is all about our girls, and that brings you closer still.” The couple have two children together, Willow, 2, and Charlie, 6 months, and share Eve, Snezana’s daughter from a previous relationship. “I love being a dad,”…

The day she failed to recognise her own stepbrother – simply because he was wearing a hat – Chrissy Flanagan realised she had a disturbing problem. “It’s called face blindness, or prosopagnosia, and it sucks,” explains Sydney’s vivacious ‘Sausage Queen’, who sometimes blanks her own bar and restaurant customers as a result of her mysterious, incurable condition. “A lot of people don’t believe it’s real, which makes it even harder to manage. If you don’t believe me, that can only mean you think I’m really disinterested in people, which could not be less true.” Inconvenient for anyone, prosopagnosia is a real snag for someone like Chrissy, 37, a NSW government advisor with a successful sideline in gourmet food, boutique brewing and hospitality. Customers can easily get offended if she doesn’t…

Roasted Tomatoes with Greek Salsa Serves 6, Prep and Cook: 45 mins 10 roma tomatoes (750g), halved lengthways 2 tblsps olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed Extra olive oil and lemon wedges, to serve GREEK SALSA ¾ cup roasted capsicum strips, chopped ½ cup Kalamata olive wedges 100g Greek feta, coarsely crumbled ¼ cup fresh oregano leaves 1 Line a large oven tray with baking paper. 2 Arrange tomatoes, cut-side up in a single layer, on prepared tray. Brush with combined oil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. 3 Cook in a hot oven (200C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until tomatoes are just starting to collapse and are lightly browned. 4 Meanwhile, make salsa by combining all ingredients in a large bowl. 5 To serve, spoon salsa…

Blue Cheese and Maple Log Serves 8, Prep and Cook: 20 mins Perfect as the star of any platter. This easy-to-make, flavour-packed cheese log will impress your guests! 250g block cream cheese, chopped, at room temperature 100g blue cheese, chopped ¹/³ cup chopped fresh chives 1 cup pecans 1tblsp maple syrup, plus extra, to serve Crackers, to serve 1 Beat both cheeses in the small bowl of an electric mixer until smooth. Add 2 tblsps of the chives. Beat until combined. 2 Spoon mixture onto a 30cm piece plastic wrap. Using plastic wrap as a guide, roll into a 20cm long log. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight until firm. 3 Combine nuts with maple syrup in a small bowl. Season with salt. Spread over an oven tray lined with…

The tears came when I least expected. After weeks of our home being on the market and frantically sprucing it up for inspections, it had finally sold and we were moving. All day I packed boxes, moved pot plants, instructed the removalists and wiped kitchen shelves. Finally, at midnight I returned to the empty house that had been our home for 17 years. As I moved through the rooms where my babies had come home to and memories had been made, I was suddenly overcome by sobs. For the first time in months, it wasn’t about money or styling or the agent’s feedback or settlement terms. This was the place where we’d become a family, and saying goodbye was wrenching. Looking back, I realised I hadn’t prepared as well as…

1 SOAP BAR Pop a bar of fragrant soap on a dish inside your dresser drawer. 2 CANDLE Place an unlit scented candle on the floor or shelf of your wardrobe. 3 DEHUMIDIFYING HOOKS Hang a dehumidifier hook in your wardrobe to soak up moisture and keep clothing crisp. For daily shopping tips and hacks follow I Bought It At. Head to facebook.com/ iBoughtAU/…

Q My partner and I have been dating since high school. However, a couple of years back he cheated on me, we broke up and then we got back together a few months later. We worked through things, but just recently, he ran into the girl he cheated on me with, and decided to grab coffee with her. I’m furious. He thinks he’s just being nice. How should I talk this out with him? I don’t want to lose him again. DANIELLE, VIA EMAIL. A Give me a break. Your partner cheated on you. How could you ever trust him again? You may have got back together and worked through things but he still decided to have a coffee with the girl he cheated with! What a feeble excuse that…

From starring roles in McLeod’s Daughters to Neighbours, Winners & Losers and Upper Middle Bogan, Michala Banas has left an indelible mark on many of our most iconic TV and film productions. And the New Zealand-born, Australia-raised performer is busier than ever. Married to fellow actor Toby Truslove, Melbourne-based Michala, 41, will this year star alongside Rebecca Gibney in Nine Network’s Halifax: Retribution. Not to mention her cherished role as a Guide Dogs Victoria ambassador! The multi-award-winning actress shares her life in 10 pictures. 1 “I was born in New Zealand, and here I am outside our family home in Wellington with my family – my mum, Laurinda, and dad, John – holding me at 18 months old – and my brothers, Alexis (left) and Leon (right). I moved to…

LEAH & VINNIE (2001) They were always a bit of an odd couple, but Leah (Ada Nicodemou) and Vinnie (Ryan Kwanten) managed to get it together for their big church wedding. Vinnie honoured his Scottish heritage by wearing a kilt. Sadly, their happiness was short-lived as Vinnie later faked his own death to go into witness protection. He then died for real in a farm accident. ADEN & BELLE (2009) The wedding of Aden (Todd Lasance) and Belle (Jessica Tovey) was certainly emotional. That was largely due to the fact Bella had terminal cancer and would soon pass away. The ceremony was touch and go, but Aden eventually showed up, telling Belle, “Babe, I’d be a fool not to marry you”. HEATH & BIANCA (2013) Heath (Daniel…

His portrait hangs forever in her memory. The young man sat in a chair by the side of a hospital bed where an elderly woman lay dying. He waited for hours, a cushion propped at his back, looking like a relic from a dog-eared family photo album. “He had on light gabardine, flared trousers, with a chocolate-brown top, like a long-sleeved body-fitting T-shirt. His hair was slicked back. He had clunky shoes.” Nurse Bev Clayton describes him with affection, this incongruous visitor she paused to watch while on her rounds in 2007. She often sees spirit relatives at the bedside of sick patients, and it’s her favourite part of the day. “That’s my biggest pleasure,” she sighs, joy flooding her voice. “I absolutely love it when I see the family…

9-1-1 SEASON 3 The third season of this American emergency services drama begins five months after the events of the Season 2 finale, with the team being put to the test when a tsunami strikes Santa Monica. The disaster dominates the first three episodes of the season, which welcomes WWE fighter Ronda Rousey to the cast. MON., 9PM ON SEVEN HARD QUIZ SEASON 5 Tom Gleeson won the Gold Logie in 2019 for his role as host of this quiz show, which challenges contestants on their sometimes very specific area of expertise. Back for a fifth season, Hard Quiz will no doubt prove once again why it – and its quizmaster – are so popular. WED., 8PM ON ABC EUROVISION: AUSTRALIA DECIDES Last year’s competition to find an entry for…

‘Born to Try’ singer Delta Goodrem attended the G’Day USA dinner alongside the new The Voice co-host Renee Bargh. Previous host Darren McMullen will be returning this year, but he was nowhere to be seen at the event. Darren and Delta were said to have had a fling during the early seasons of The Voice, but their relationship was never confirmed. Delta is currently dating Matthew Copley, who she was snapped with for most of last year, while Darren is currently single.…

Just days after denying false rumours he’d split with his girlfriend, New Idea has learnt Richard ‘Dickie’ Wilkins is considering eloping with Virginia Burmeister. A source close to the Nine Network presenter claims the couple – who have been together for nearly three years – are so in love they’re thinking of quietly making their relationship official. “There was talk of them either getting married or eloping and doing it in secret,” says the insider. “They are very in love and a really good match.” Virginia is apparently also the reason why Richard has no problem with being sidelined from his weekly Today gig into a weekend-only role. “She is the reason he is not pushing to go back with Karl on Today. He loves the new hours and having…

Steve ‘Commando’ Willis has been left devastated by the news that his ex Michelle Bridges was caught drink driving with their young son in the car. Now a source close to the couple claims Steve has been begging Michelle  for months to get help. Steve was said to be on a work trip in Adelaide when he found out the shocking news, and his thoughts would no doubt have turned straight to the safety of their son Axel, 4. “Of course he is angry,” clams the friend. “Any parent would be. Steve was beside himself when he realised their little boy was in that car – it could have been so much worse. “But once he had learnt that no-one was hurt, he just lost it.” The 49-year-old personal trainer…

Just like their parents, it’s clear to see that Bec and Lleyton Hewitt’s kids are set to become stars in their own right. Mia, 14, Cruz, 11, and Ava, 9, have already appeared on stage and TV, have huge social media followings and display promising sports talents. In 2016, all three children starred in a Wonder Smooth Wholegrain bread commercial. “The kids did so well, I was very proud,” former Home and Away actress Bec told the Herald Sun. “They were really excited to do the shoot.” According to Roxy Jacenko, who runs agency Ministry of Talent, there is potential today for kids to make millions of dollars. “With data driving the social media industry more than ever before, how much Instagram-famous kids (or their parents) can make really depends…

For the past 12 years, landscaper Charlie Albone’s incredible garden designs have seen homes around the country fly off the marketplace in Selling Houses Australia. Now, Charlie is ready to take on a new adventure as Better Homes and Gardens’ new landscaper. “I have watched the show since I arrived in Australia 20 years ago, so to be asked to be on it is completely surreal and amazing,” he says. Charlie has some big shoes to fill, taking over the role from previous landscaper Jason Hodges. “Jason is such a big character and of course people are going to miss him on the show,” Charlie admits. “I just hope that I can bring everything Jason brought and a little bit more.” Charlie reveals that his children, Leo, 7, and Hartford,…

PRINCESS DI’S SPECIAL MOMENT Emma Corrin, who plays Princess Diana, was photographed on location at London’s Savoy Hotel in a floral dress. It didn’t take royal enthusiasts long to realise the actress was recreating Diana’s appearance =at the hotel more than 30 years ago. The late princess was famous for her charity work and the scene will portray her attendance at the Barnardo’s Champion Children Awards. Diana was president of the charity, which protects and supports Britain’s most vulnerable children and young people, from 1984-1996. Emma’s blonde ‘80s hairdo, floral print frock and coy smile perfectly emulated Diana’s look, leaving many of the show’s fans eagerly counting down the days until Season 4 is released. “Princess Diana was an icon and her effect on the world remains profound and inspiring.…

It’s been two decades since Katherine Knight murdered her partner, but the twisted and sadistic crime, which sounds like the plot of a horror movie, still shocks people today. John Price, 44, had been stabbed 37 times, with all his vital organs – including his lungs, kidney and liver – hit, leaving blood all over the house. But that wasn’t the worst of it … On March 1, 2000, when police arrived at John’s home, located in the sleepy town of Aberdeen in the Hunter Valley, NSW, they found a pool of blood in the hallway with more red splatters discovered throughout the house. It was a gruesome crime scene that would haunt the police forever. The couple had been together for roughly four years. Reports at the time of…

Nutella Mocha Biscuit Cake Serves 8, Prep: 40 mins 1 litre thickened cream (4 cups) 50g dark chocolate, chopped ²/³ cup Nutella (220g) 2 tblsps instant coffee granules 250g packet Milk Coffee biscuits Fresh cherries and dark chocolate curls (See Tip), to decorate 1 To start chocolate ganache, combine ¼ cup cream with chocolate and ½ cup of the Nutella in a heatproof bowl. Sit bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl and cool slightly. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until cool. 2 Dissolve coffee in ½ cup boiling water in a heatproof jug. Transfer to a shallow dish. 3 To make Nutella cream, beat 2½ cups cream and remaining Nutella in a small bowl of an electric mixer until soft peaks…

Victoria’s strawberry season is well and truly underway, and these red beauties are sweet, juicy and perfect for entertaining. Slice and add to summer salads – they add a sweet, tangy flavour as well as that all-important colour that makes salads so hard to resist. Or add sliced or halved strawberries to chilled glasses of rosé or prosecco. We love them chopped and mixed with fresh coriander and lime juice for a quick strawberry salsa to serve with chicken or prawns. For more great ideas and recipes, visit vicstrawberry.com.au.…

1 FANTASY WAKE-UP  Flick the light switch as you announce that the bedroom has been transformed into someplace other than a bedroom. An aquarium. A bowl of jelly. A bunny cage. A cloud. Then ask your child to imagine waking up there: “How do you think someone would wake up in a rowing boat?” 2 THEME IT  Today is … Space Day! Cheer-up Day! Bright Colour Day! Send your kid to their wardrobe to interpret the theme any way they want to. Now instead of doing a job – getting dressed – they’re creating something. Whatever you do, don’t become the fashion police. Nothing crushes a budding fashionista more quickly than a parent saying, “Are you sure you want to wear that?”. 3 TURN THE TABLES  Try letting your child…

CLASSY MOVE Our little 5-year-old was being bullied in the school playground by a much older boy. “What are you going to do about it?” the bully taunted. I’m sure the bully forgot all about the incident when our little girl disappeared - until she emerged from the administration block, holding the principal by the hand! K. SIMPSON, OCEAN REEF, WA. SUSSEX SUPPORT I think it is wonderful the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are stepping back from royal duties and will divide their time between the UK and North America. I think it would be great if they just become private citizens and leave the lavish, royal lifestyle behind. They are a young couple who are in love and they need their privacy. ANGELA MORRISSEY, EAGLEHAWK, VIC. MERE MALE…

To say that last week’s season return of Home and Away was memorable is quite the understatement! It was the week in which one of Summer Bay’s finest, Robbo (Jake Ryan), succumbed to his injuries following a horrific car crash, leaving his young wife Jasmine (Sam Frost) grief-stricken. Thankfully, however, there was also something to celebrate – the engagement of the town’s longest standing resident Alf (Ray Meagher) to his beloved Martha (Belinda Giblin). And this week the emotional roller-coaster in our favourite seaside town continues. Prepare yourself for one wedding – and a funeral! “THIS WEDDING HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING ... THEY’RE BOTH MORE THAN READY FOR IT” Alf ’s seaside proposal to Martha, the woman he has never stopped loving, took her completely by surprise. So…

Just when we thought Robbo was going to recover from his injuries, there was a twist of the most devastating kind. After saying what only he knew would be a final goodbye to  the love of his life Jasmine (Sam Frost), Robbo (Jake Ryan) passed away in hospital – and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. This week, the grieving Summer Bay community gathers to lay Robbo to rest. And make no mistake about it, your heart will break for Jasmine. Indeed, for a distraught Jasmine, nothing will be the same again. “At first, Jasmine was in disbelief,” says Sam. “She kept thinking, ‘This is impossible! There’s just no way this could have happened.’ “She had all the hope in the world that Robbo would pull through. He…

Get ready to return to Whyhope as Season 4 of Doctor Doctor begins this week. But a lot has changed since we last visited the picturesque country town. ONE YEAR HAS PASSED It’s been 12 months and Dr Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser) has become accustomed to life with baby Eliza, who’s about to celebrate her first birthday. He’s come a long way in the time he’s been back in his hometown – responsible, mature, settled. But that could all be about to change. THERE’S A NEW BAD DOCTOR IN TOWN Mirroring the way Hugh returned to Whyhope, Dr Tara  Khourdair (Kate Jenkinson – see interview right) arrives at the hospital to serve out a probation period for her reckless behaviour. But it seems like she has no intention of cleaning…

Olivia Newton-John, who is battling breast cancer for the third time, appeared at the 17th annual G’Day USA dinner in LA to support recovery efforts for the Australian bushfires. The January 25 appearance comes after the 71-year-old actress and singer revealed that her cancer tumours have reduced. “My tumours are receding or they’re going away or they’re staying the same. On a Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, that’s pretty amazing. I don’t see it as a battle; I am winning,” the Aussie actress told the Herald Sun. Despite Olivia previously stating she didn’t think much of Grease 2, the actress who played Sandy in the first film was pictured hanging out with Michelle Pfeiffer at the event. Michelle played Stephanie in the sequel and she showed her love for Olivia…

Dame Judi Dench certainly proved that you can flaunt your beach body at any age! Holding hands with her daughter, Finty Williams, Judi was spotted smiling in an aqua blue bathing suit while on vacation in Barbados. The actress enjoyed a dip in the cool water as she soaked up the sun with her family. The holiday was a well-deserved break for the 85-year-old, who recently starred in Tom Hooper’s film Cats, alongside stars Taylor Swift and Rebel Wilson. Regardless of the public’s largely negative opinion of the musical, Dame Judi embraces her role as Old Deuteronomy.…