Innehållsförteckning för Issue 17, 2024 från New Idea

I’m not proud to admit this, but it doesn’t take much for me to bail on a social occasion – a bit of hay fever or a slight headache will have me swapping my glad rags for trackie dacks. So I was more than impressed to see Victoria ‘Posh Spice’ Beckham turn up to her own star-studded 50th birthday party while hobbling along on crutches in her couture after injuring her foot during a workout. See the fun pics – including one of hubby David gallantly piggybacking Posh from the venue once she’d had enough – on page 24. Also in this issue, we catch up with Rebecca Hetherington, daughter of late Mr Squiggle creator Norman, and his famous puppet. I was glued to Mr Squiggle and Friends as a…

Christina Hendricks has tied the knot again, saying ‘I do’ to George Bianchini recently in New Orleans. The Mad Men actress has been dating George, a camera operator, since 2020. Their intimate nuptials were held in the city’s French Quarter. Christina told People that New Orleans was the halfway point between them when they “first started dating”. “It just feels like our city,” she explained. Previously married to actor Geoffrey Arend, Christina was keen to honour her relationship with George. “I think there’s just something about making that commitment and saying it out loud,” she said. With Christina turning 49 on May 3, it seems like it’s time for a double celebration!…

Australian actor Matthew Newton has laid low since moving to America a decade ago, where he married the daughter of a top New York politician. Now, there’s speculation over his personal life, after his wife, Catherine Schneiderman, posted a string of new photos to Instagram. Cat usually wears a sparkling set of rings on her wedding finger. But in one post shared on April 22, they are mysteriously missing. Friends immediately feared the couple may have split. However, another photo posted showed a man’s arm with the word ‘Cat’ in a heart freshly tattooed onto it. It appears to have been inked at a parlour near the couple’s Texas mansion. “We can only hope that arm was Matthew’s,” says a longtime Newton family insider. “It would be terribly sad if…

Despite widespread rumours that Ash Barty would return to the tennis court this year, last month she put the kibosh on any talk of emerging from her shock early retirement. In March, a matchfit Ash lined up for the New Zealand Pro-Am Championship, suggesting the avid golfer with a four handicap may well swap her racquet for a 9 iron. But when asked if there was any truth that she was making a tennis comeback or switching to golf, Ash didn’t hold back, telling local reporters, “And the answer is no to both!” Now, New Idea has exclusively learnt that Ash, who turned 28 last week, has put any potential career moves on hold to give her 10-month-old son Hayden a sibling. We’re told she is talking openly among friends…

Princess Beatrice was recently spotted at Spotify’s London office, where she hosted a discussion about the future of technology. It sent out a clear sign that the streaming giant isn’t afraid to partner with royals, even after its relationship soured with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. “It was a surprise to see Bea cosying up to Spotify execs,” a royal watcher tells New Idea. “Perhaps she could be teeing up a podcast deal of her own with the company!” Prince Harry and Meghan famously signed a $31 million deal with Spotify in 2020. After delivering just 12 episodes of Meghan’s Archetypespodcast in two years, Spotify executive Bill Simmons scathingly dubbed the pair “grifters”. The Sussexes’ contract was then cancelled in 2023 amid claims they failed to meet “productivity benchmarks”.…

IF YOU WANNA BE HER LOVER, YOU GOTTA… FIRST BE HER TAXI! Don’t think a little thing like a broken foot was going to stop Victoria Beckham from marking her 50th birthday in style! Even though she needed to hitch a ride on husband David’s back after partying the night away, the recently injured Spice Girl still had a ball celebrating with her nearest and dearest, and A-list pals. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt as loved as I did last night,” an emotional Victoria wrote on Instagram.…

There’s a new man in Melissa Bell’s life – and she is happily wrapped around his (very tiny) little finger! The former Neighbours actress, 51, has just returned home from a flying visit to Wellington, New Zealand, where she finally got to meet her first grandchild, William, for the very first time. “Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation, this is mine … little William Leonardo Dickson,” Melissa proudly wrote on social media. William is the son of Melissa’s own grown-up baby boy, Jonathan Dickson, and his partner Cay. While Melissa’s visit to meet adorable William was fleeting, it’s one she says she will “treasure forever”. Sharing photos of herself with William to social media, a besotted Melissa wrote, “Grandma M loves you to the…

CINCH IN! Level up your office attire with the simple addition of a statement belt over a classic blazer and skirt combination. Add a pointed mule for a dressier touch! MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS LIGHT LAYERS Now the weather is cooling down, add an extra layer to your tank and blazer with an open cotton shirt underneath. This doubled-up look brings contrast and depth to your outfit. ORGANIC COTTON MAKE IT A SET Whatever colour your favourite blazer is, find a pant in a similar hue (it doesn’t have to be exact!) and create an all-in-one suit look. This instantly makes you feel put-together and flats are the perfect match. By Aimee Bruce. Stockists: cereslife.com, decjuba.com.au, forevernew.com.au, hm.com/au, target.com.au, uniqlo.com/au…

GOLDA In cinemas Thu. Dame Helen Mirren has played her fair share of real people over the course of her six-decade career. But her latest historical figure, Israel’s first female head of government Golda Meir, sees the actress delivering her most startling – and challenging – transformation yet! Golda, which co-stars Liev Schreiber, recounts the politician’s leadership during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Helen, 78, admits she didn’t “really know a lot” about Golda when she signed on to the film, so enjoyed delving into her research. “All I knew is when she came to power [in 1969] it was an incredibly important moment for me as a woman to realise that women could be prime ministers,” Helen tells New Idea in an exclusive interview. Here, she sheds more light…

James Stewart is a single man. After speculation about his marriage to former Home and Away co-star Sarah Roberts, she confirmed in an interview with Stellar magazine they had finalised their divorce. “My belief of marriage is that two people grow and learn from each other,” Sarah, 39, told the publication. “Sometimes people just grow apart and that’s OK. “I realised I couldn’t grow in the way I wanted to within this relationship.” James, 48, and Sarah wed in 2019, but they hadn’t been seen together for months. At press time, James, who is a dad to daughter Scout from his previous romance with Jessica Marais, had not commented publicly about the end of his marriage.…

Peter Overton is being lovingly cared for by his wife, Jessica Rowe, following his recent hip replacement. The respected Nine News presenter, 58, had been absent on-air in recent weeks due to needing surgery, but finally returned to the news desk last week. During his absence, Jess, 53, updated Peter’s fans about his condition, after several expressed concern about him being “missing” from their screens. She shared a photo on Instagram of a smiling Peter propped up in bed recovering. Jess wrote the accompanying caption, “Many of you have been missing ‘Petee’ from your TV screens these past couple of weeks and have asked me where he is!” She added he’s been “getting lots of TLC”. Followers quickly wished Peter a “speedy recovery”. This isn’t the first time Jess has…

‘We don’t have her number anymore’ When legal drama Suits premiered in 2011 on a US cable television network, it received a tepid reception, but still gave then-unknown actress Meghan Markle her foothold into the industry. In recent years, the show has been given new life as a streaming smash hit, breaking numerous viewing records in 2023. Its cast are revelling in the renewed success, with Patrick J. Adams and Sarah Rafferty announcing they’re releasing an as-yet untitled ‘rewatch’ companion podcast. But one person who won’t be clinking glasses with the Suits gang over the show’s resurgence is Meghan, who played sexpot paralegal Rachel Zane. While many of the cast sat front and centre at Meghan’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, they have recently spoken about being iced out by…

HIS WORRYING INSTAGRAM POSTS Weeks of random postings from Hugh have raised eyebrows – and alarm bells… Given the shock end of his 27-year marriage, it’s not surprising that Hugh Jackman is taking some time to adjust to life as a single man. But in the seven months since he and Deborra-lee Furness announced their mutual separation, the actor has exhibited some eccentric behaviours that have caused many fans to wonder – is Hugh OK? “Hugh is aware of his fans and their concern for his wellbeing,” a source close to the star recently told the Daily Mail. “But he is good.” Alarm bells really started to ring regarding the father of two’s possible state of mind when he regularly began sharing erratic Instagram posts and Stories with his 31…

THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG Airs Tue. at 8pm on ABC As Melbourne school student Halle stood centre stage preparing to belt out John Farnham’s anthem ‘You’re the Voice’, time appeared to stand still. Wearing a blonde wig styled like Farnsy’s famous ’80s mullet and a blazer, Halle took a deep breath, relaxed her shoulders and began to sing. “It was the best night of my life,” Halle tells New Idea. “I felt so happy I cried. “I imagined what John would have looked and sounded like, what his personality was, and I acted all of it. It was very exciting.” Halle was channelling her inner ‘Whispering Jack’ for her school’s musical, The Time Travelling Trio. A jukebox production using Farnsy’s catalogue, it tells the story of three…

TIP To keep cooked hash browns warm while cooking bacon, place in a moderately slow oven (160C). TIP To keep first batch of cooked croissants warm while cooking second batch, place in a moderately slow oven (160C). Or reheat all croissants in the air fryer at 180C for one minute just before serving. TIP Make sure cake pan fits into your air fryer basket before starting recipe prep. Use a 19cm square pan instead of a 20cm round pan, if preferred. TIP It’s best to use 50g eggs in this recipe. You can use your favourite relish or chutney instead of pesto.…

Brenda Blethyn has announced the much-loved British detective series Verais coming to an end. The 78-year-old star has become a household name for her portrayal of the titular straight-talking detective. Now, she’s confirmed the upcoming 14th season will be her last . “Working on Verahas been a joy from beginning to end,” Brenda said. “I’m sad to be saying ‘cheerio’. But I am so proud of our achievements over the last 14 years.” The iconic TV character originated from the Vera Stanhope novels written by Ann Cleeves. Brenda acknowledged being “grateful” to both the author and series creator Elaine Collins for casting her in the role of a lifetime. The show’s star also applauded the “fabulous” team she’s worked alongside since 2011. “I’m going to miss them, but I won’t…

David Beckham’s company has filed a lawsuit against Mark Wahlberg’s coowned fitness business, F45 Training. According to documents entered by DB Ventures, the soccer legend was “duped” into signing an endorsement deal with the now-struggling workout franchise. David, who turns 49 this week, was convinced by Mark to come on board as F45’s global ambassador in 2021. Now, the former English football captain claims he never received his negotiated $15 million contract payment. Lawyers for Mark, 52,have hit back by taking a dig at team Beckham’s lengthy 209-page court filing. They said it “tries to make up with length what it lacks in merit”. Ouch!…

Moving to the idyllic climes of Portugal was supposed to be a way for Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, to raise their young sons in a sunny – and private – location. “Portugal is the dream because I can go to the supermarket in my exercise gear and my hair piled on my head and no-one cares,” Eugenie, 34, said in 2023. But, in a surprising twist, New Idea has learned that, in reality, Eugenie is struggling with being so far away from her family back in England. Her father, the disgraced Duke of York, is once again in the spotlight following the release of the Netflix movie Scoop. The film dramatises the ill-fated Newsnight interview Prince Andrew agreed to, which exposed the truth about his links to…

He’s been famous since before he could walk, but Robert Irwin’s star status is about to be catapulted into the stratosphere! Following his wildly successful debut season co-hosting I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, sources say Hollywood producers are ready to pounce and snap him up. “Robert is a natural star, it’s hard to believe he’s only 20,” a high-ranking Hollywood insider tells New Idea exclusively, speaking on the condition of anonymity. They have watched Robert’s hosting debut and predict big things are coming. “Studios over here will be desperate to sign him. There’s still a lot of love for Steve Irwin in America and thanks to his obvious talent and family association, Robert could walk into a huge role in Hollywood. “He has talent to burn and could…

Only in New Idea JUST LIKE DAD Rebecca Hetherington’s entire face breaks into a warm smile as she looks down upon the marionette who has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. “Mr Squiggle has not changed in 65 years!” the former TV presenter tells us with exuberance. “He would be the envy of every TV star. His look is as fresh as ever, and that’s because he has been superbly looked after.” New Idea has met Rebecca at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra – aka Mr Squiggle’s new home. The puppet is going on permanent display here, alongside his original sidekicks, Rocket and Blackboard, as well as Gus the Snail, Bill Steamshovel, and various scripts, sets, costumes, props and artworks. Rebecca was…

WI-FI WAR American teenager Kevon Watkins had a history of arguing with his mother and siblings, especially when it came to the family’s wi-fi. However, in February 2018, the regular row turned fatal. Watkins, from Georgia, was infuriated when he experienced a slow connection while playing his Xbox, due to other family members also using the internet. Watkins took it upon himself to change the wi-fi password. His mother, Latoya, wasn’t happy and attempted to remove the console from his room. When Watkins, then 16, threatened to beat his mum, his sister Alexus, 19, stepped in. The pair argued before Watkins put her in a chokehold. A frantic Latoya called the police and when they arrived 10 minutes later, Watkins still had a hold on Alexus. Alexus was rushed to…

TIP Serve this vegie dish as a side to grilled chicken, lamb or fish. Pine nuts can be toasted in the microwave. Place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on High for 1 minute at a time, stirring until lightly toasted. TIP Replace raspberries with frozen mixed berries, if preferred. Dariole moulds are available from specialty kitchen shops, or replace with glass dishes instead. TIP Lamb can be marinated up to several hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Replace lamb with chicken tenderloins, if preferred.…

MARIE GREGAN, KEDRON, QLD. PAULINE KIRBY, TATURA, VIC. REBECCA ANDREWS, HAWTHORN, VIC. BEST OF THE WEEK WINS $100 Bewitched I was having coffee with a neighbour in her home and told her I was getting a few dizzy spells. Her little girl whispered to her mum, “Is your friend a witch?” ANN ROONEY, SALE, VIC. LORRAINE ROBERTSON, BERWICK, VIC. Quick trip to Shanghai My neighbour was telling me that his wife is going to Shanghai on Wednesday. Surprised at the sudden overseas trip I said, “Are you going with her?” “No,” he said, “It’s just the ladies going.” After a bit more talk it became apparent that his wife was actually going to tai chi on Wednesday. ERIN MURDOCH, CAMP HILL, QLD. MANDY GRAHAM, CARRUM DOWNS, VIC. NICOLA RITCHIE, BAYSWATER,…

1The first episode of Downton Abbey begins with the news of which historical event? A) The abdication of King Edward VIII B) The start of World War I C) The sinking of the Titanic D) The Spanish flu pandemic 2Which Aussie band’s debut album was called Frogstomp? A) AC/DC B) Silverchair C) INXS D) Cold Chisel 3Which planet in our solar system is known as the ‘Red Planet’? A) Saturn B) Mars C) Neptune D) Venus 4How old did the late Queen Elizabeth II live to be? A) 92 B) 94 C) 96 D) 98 5What is the capital city of Canada? A) Calgary B) Vancouver C) Ottawa D) Toronto 6Which actor portrayed Gollum in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy? A) Ian McKellen B) Elijah Wood C) Andy…