Innehållsförteckning för Issue 31, 2025 från New Idea

Have you ever been stung by a wasp? It really hurts! I remember it happening to me as a teenager while I was on holiday with my family. It got my thumb and all the photos from that day show me with a pretty sad look on my face and a very awkward thumbs up! Now imagine that moment happening in front of thousands of people and being caught on camera for the world to see. That’s what happened to poor Queen Mary of Denmark last week on a walkabout (page 4). On a more positive note, one of the most satisfying things has to be when you’re so comfortable with a new partner, you can just wander about in your tracky dacks. Check out the photos of Jessica Alba…

John Farnham is still recovering from his oral cancer ordeal, but exciting plans are afoot to bring the 76-year-old’s music back to the stage in 2026. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of John’s album, Whispering Jack, and a musical about the years leading up to the creation of the iconic 1986 record is in the works. Earlier whispers suggest pop star Cody Simpson is one name being bandied about to play John. However, a source tells New Idea, “they may opt to cast an unknown and make them a star! Whoever plays John must be able to embody his humble charisma as well as belt out his hits like ‘You’re the Voice’ and ‘Pressure Down’. They would have to be the whole package.” Farnsy’s manager Gaynor Wheatley has confirmed…

It’s sunshine and rainbows ahead for TV weather presenter James Tobin. The Sunrise star has revealed the wonderful news that he and wife Farrah are expecting “Baby Tobin” in November! James, 45, spilled the beans via Instagram last week, alongside a snap of an ultrasound image. He also chatted about becoming a dad on Weekend Sunrise, and confessed that he and Farrah, who he wed in 2024, had been keeping the news under wraps for some time. “We’re well over halfway – and it feels so good to tell you,” he told delighted hosts David Woiwod and Monique Wright. Other Channel Seven stars, including Sam McMillan and Matt Shirvington, were quick to offer congratulations too. How lovely!…

As Sam Mendes’ four biopics about each of The Beatles inch closer to starting production, Sir Paul McCartney is telling the actor playing him, Paul Mescal, to let him be! According to New Idea’s studio source, Paul, 29, is eager to pick the Fab Four legend’s brain, but has found he is being kept at arm’s length. “Paul is embarking on a 10-month crash course into becoming McCartney, ahead of spending the entirety of next year filming the four movies. “What’s awkward is how little face time Paul is getting with the real-life Paul, who has his own crammed schedule and a massive business to run. “Paul [McCartney] is still a very active man, and a billionaire with a vast empire at his fingertips.” The source adds that Gladiator II…

Katy Perry is being nursed through her recent split from fiancé Orlando Bloom by an unlikely ally. In the weeks since the pair ended their nine-year relationship, the actor’s ex-wife, Miranda Kerr, has firmly come out as being on ‘Team Katy’. “Miranda has always adored Katy and really hoped she might be the one who could tame Orlando’s wild ways,” a source exclusively tells New Idea. “Miranda has taken this [break-up] almost as hard as Katy has, but strangely it’s brought them even closer than ever.” Miranda, 42, offered up a very public show of support for Katy last month, when she and husband, Evan Spiegel, were guests of honour at the ‘Firework’ singer’s Los Angeles concert on July 15. “Miranda and Evan felt it was important to be there…

The story of how Meryl Streep found herself playing an Italian war bride who falls for Clint Eastwood’s charms in one of the most romantic movies of the ’90s is a rather simple one. “He made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” the actress once shared. It was 1995, and Meryl and Clint were coming together for their first (and so far only) professional collaboration, The Bridges of Madison County. Three decades on, the film, which Clint also directed, remains one of the most poignant love stories ever told – and one that its two stars look back on fondly. However, it almost wasn’t to be. Based on the bestselling 1992 novel by Robert James Waller, The Bridges of Madison County charts the intense, four-day love affair between Meryl’s Francesca…

Frying Pan Cherry and Flake Brownie SERVES 6–8 PREP & COOK 50 MINS ■ Melted butter, for greasing ■ 180g block dark chocolate, chopped ■ 150g butter, chopped ■ 1 cup caster sugar ■ 3 eggs, lightly beaten ■ 1 cup plain flour ■ 2 tbsp Dutch-processed cocoa powder ■ ½ tsp baking powder ■ 680g jar pitted morello cherries ■ 2 x 30g Flake chocolate bars ■ Vanilla ice-cream, to serve CHERRY SAUCE ■ 1 tbsp cornflour ■ ¼ cup caster sugar ■ 2 tsp vanilla essence 1 Grease a medium ovenproof frying pan (26cm in diameter) with butter. 2 Combine chocolate and butter in a large saucepan over a medium-low heat. Stir until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Cool for 15 mins. 3 Stir sugar into chocolate…

Ask any passionate skincare expert and they’ll say that moisturiser is the one step in your routine that you simply cannot skip. Moisturisers help balance moisture in the skin, keeping it looking healthy and hydrated. But how do you know if you’re using the right type for your skin type? Franchesca Lay, skincare education manager at Mecca, breaks down the formulas to go for based on your skin type or complexion concerns. BY SKIN TYPE Dry Hyaluronic acid will be your saving grace for boosting moisture levels in the skin. “Include products that contain humectants (such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin) which draw moisture back into the skin and emollients (ceramides and plant oils) to nourish,” says Franchesca. Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Face Gel, $37.99, priceline.com.au (1) contains…

Leo JUL 24 – AUG 23 Shock news may get people talking, but with a full moon blowing things out of proportion, think twice before entering the fray. Pour your passion into something worthwhile instead, and spread good vibes around. As spring draws closer, you might even discover a talent for mentoring. Lucky numbers: 2, 7, 17, 26, 31, 32 Scorpio  OCT 24 – NOV 22 Don’t take on too much or things could collapse in a heap. If a project has been draining your energy, perhaps it’s time to reassess your involvement? As Jupiter taps into that restless streak, you’ll crave a change of scenery. If good food or music is thrown in, all the better. Lucky symbol: Orange butterfly Aquarius  JAN 21 – FEB 19 Decisions made under…

WHAT A BUZZKILL! During a recent walkabout, Denmark’s Queen Mary encountered an unwelcome guest. Amid the crowd of cheering fans in Gråasten, a wasp – perhaps nestled in one of the many bouquets Mary was presented with – flew up and stung the royal on her leg! “One minute, a smiling Mary was greeting fans and the next minute, she was clutching her leg and seemed to be visibly in pain,” an onlooker told New Idea. As Mary shook out her skirt and grimaced, a worried King Frederik rushed to his wife’s side, while two of their four children, Princess Isabella, 18, and Prince Vincent, 14, also looked on in concern. The siblings had joined their parents for the traditional procession through the historic town’s square. While Australian-born Mary, 53,…

Bridie Carter has taken to social media for the first time in three months to reassure her fans she’s doing fine. Concerns had grown for the McLeod’s Daughters star, after it was noticed that she hadn’t been active on Instagram since April. But in a comeback post, Bridie explained that she was “still here” and had been keeping a low profile as she’d been working “lots”. “Can’t wait to share. I really, really hope you are all well,” Bridie, 54, wrote alongside a new selfie. “The world is pretty crazy right now but there are still many beautiful, perfect things, moments, grabs of nature. Let’s hold on to those.”…

It’s been 45 years since actor Christopher Atkins found fame, alongside Brooke Shields, in the steamy romance movie The Blue Lagoon. But the 64-year-old star, while looking somewhat downcast during a recent outing in Los Angeles to run errands, has clearly lost none of his rugged good looks! In fact, despite first finding fame as a mere 18-year-old, Christopher has gone on to enjoy a long career on screen. He’s starred in TV series Dallas and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and even reunited with Brooke in her ‘90s sitcomSuddenly Susan.…

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban famously keep exceptionally busy personal schedules – but even by their standards, the last few months have been jam-packed. Since May, Keith has been on the road with the the North American leg of his High and Alive tour. Meanwhile, Nicole, 58, has been moving from set to set, filming a slate of new projects. “They’re used to spending extended time apart,” a Hollywood insider tells New Idea. “They make it work because they are rock solid as a couple.” That’s not to say that Nicole didn’t have some questions for her husband, when pictures emerged of Keith, 57, celebrating the end of his current batch of tour dates with a posse of pals. He’s bringing the show Down Under next month. The group were…

Only in New Idea The Block’s 2025 season has only just begun, but already Han has shown she’s full of grit and determination – and her shock personal history could explain why. In a chat with New Idea, Han, who is competing with girlfriend Can, reveals she was diagnosed with bowel cancer aged 24. Since then, she has lived every day to the fullest – no matter how many feathers she might ruffle. Han, now 29, tells us the diagnosis was a total shock. She had always been fit and healthy, until all of a sudden she couldn’t get out of bed. The Perth-based geologist knew something wasn’t right, but it never occurred to her that she had bowel cancer. It’s long been seen as an ‘old person’ disease –…

Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson continue to send Dawson’s Creek fans wild as they film their new movie, Happy Hours, in New York City. Amid hope that working together might see the pair rekindling the flame, New Idea can report that Katie’s daughter, Suri Cruise, also approves of a budding rematch! MORE THAN FRIENDS? “The chemistry is overload off-the-charts between Katie and Josh, as there always is when old lovers reconnect,” a source tells New Idea. Katie, 46, and Joshua dated in the early years of ’90s TV show Dawson’s Creek, mirroring a latter romantic storyline between their characters, Joey and Pacey. They broke up in 1999 after a year, but stayed friends. When it came time to casting Happy Hours, Katie, who is directing the film and also wrote…

Video footage of an Air India Boeing 787 jet crashing into a crowded neighbourhood in western India on June 12 shocked the world. The crash killed 241 of the 242 occupants on board, and also claimed the lives of 19 people on the ground. Occurring less than a minute after taking off from Ahmedabad Airport, it is considered the deadliest commercial aviation disaster in nearly a decade. Initially deemed a tragic accident, the crash is being re-examined in light of a new report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The report revealed switches controlling fuel flow to the plane’s two engines were turned off just seconds after take-off – a move that is normally done only after landing. Focus has now turned to the senior pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, after…

Ronan Keating knows all too well that life is a roller-coaster. And the singer, who is about to rejoin The Voice Australia as a coach for the first time in nearly a decade, is currently riding a high after ending a long-running estrangement from his Boyzone bandmates. Ronan, now 48, found fame in the early ’90s with the Irish boy band. But his relationship with Boyzone members Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and the late Stephen Gately became strained when the group went on hiatus in 1999 after Ronan launched his successful solo career. His track ‘When You Say Nothing at All’ was featured in the movie Notting Hill and became a global hit. “When Ronan became a huge star in his own right, his bandmates felt abandoned,” a…

Peking Chicken Fried Rice SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 20 MINS ■ 450g packet family-size microwave long-grain white rice ■ 500g chicken stir-fry strips, halved lengthways ■ 2 tbsp olive oil ■ 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder ■ 4 green onions, sliced, plus extra to serve ■ 1 cup frozen peas, corn and carrot ■ 2 eggs, lightly beaten ■ ¼ cup hoisin sauce ■ 1 tbsp soy sauce ■ Finely diced Lebanese cucumber, to serve 1 Heat rice according to packet directions for 2 mins. 2 Toss chicken in combined oil and spice to coat. 3 Heat an oiled, large wok over a high heat. Stir-fry chicken in two batches for 2-3 mins, or until browned and just cooked. Remove. 4 Add rice to hot wok with onions and…

Cinnamon Sugar Banana Fritters SERVES 4-6 PREP & COOK 25 MINS ■ ¾ cup self-raising flour ■ ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ■ 1 egg, lightly beaten ■ ⅔ cup milk ■ ½ cup caster sugar ■ 2 tsp ground cinnamon ■ Vegetable oil, for shallow-frying ■ 4 medium-large (200g-250g each) bananas, cut into quarters ■ Vanilla ice-cream, to serve 1 Sift flour and soda into a large bowl. Make a well in centre. Add egg and milk. Whisk until smooth. Stand for 15 mins. 2 Meanwhile, combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. 3 Heat enough oil in a large, deep frying pan to shallow-fry over a medium-high heat. 4 Place half the banana pieces in batter, turning to coat. Using a slotted spoon, remove pieces, one at…

Book of the week This thought-provoking novel explores a profound question: what would you do if you knew exactly when you’d die? The mysterious OPM Discoveries organisation recruits participants to test a pioneering life-prediction study. Layla, a driven corporate lawyer, is sacrificing personal connection for career success, and Angus, burdened by grief after the death of his brother and guilt over an investment gone wrong, is adrift. Independently they participate in the experiment – and receive life-altering results. When they meet by chance, their instant chemistry forces them to confront mortality, purpose, and the meaning of love. A gripping read that will have you hooked from the first page. OUT NOW, SIMON & SCHUSTER, $34.99 AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Thriller and romance author Jess was born in the UK but now lives…

Tony Hale We vote this selfie the photo of the week! Tony and his Veep co-star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, reunited at the LA premiere of his new movie Sketch. Michael Bublé Family is everything to the crooner – so he treated wife Luisana Lopilato and their four children to a Disney cruise to Alaska. How fun! HE’S HAVING A BALL! Dermot Mulroney Dermot hit the field in Winnipeg, Canada to throw the first pitch during a baseball game. Nicole Scherzinger Don’t you wish your outfit was hot like Nicole’s? The former Pussycat Dolls star looked stunning while attending a music festival in Baku, Azerbaijan. Pamela Anderson With their romance now confirmed by People magazine, Pamela and Liam Neeson premiered The Naked Gun in New York City, alongside their respective sons. They…

Their relationship ended almost 30 years ago, but a surprise chapter has opened up on Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow. A new, unauthorised biography about Gwyneth, penned by author Amy Odell, alleges that the actress, 51, once described her ex Brad as being “dumber than a sack of s--t” after their three-year relationship ended. Now, an insider tells New Idea that the comment really “hit a nerve” with Brad, 61. “He is furious,” our source reveals, adding that Brad has fought hard to lose the “dumb cowboy” image he once had, following his breakout role in Thelma & Louise. Brad and Gwyneth met while filming the movie Seven. They got engaged in December 1996 but split the following year. While Gwyneth did not contribute to the new book, Brad “won’t…

COUPLE DRESSING They’ve only been an item for a few months, but it looks like Jessica Alba and her new squeeze, Top Gun: Maverick star Danny Ramirez, are already in the ‘couples dressing’ phase of their relationship! Jess, 44, and Danny, 32, were spotted out near her home in Los Angeles wearing matching grey sweatpants, black T-shirts and baseball caps. The pair put on an affectionate display as they canoodled on the street. “They only had eyes for one another,” an onlooker told New Idea. “They looked very much like they’re in the honeymoon phase.” Jessica’s 16-year marriage to producer Cash Warren ended at the end of 2024. They share three children together, Honor, 17, Haven, 13, and Hayes, seven. Jess and Danny have spent much of the Northern Hemisphere…

For the past few months, there has been a noticeable shift in the Duke of Sussex’s behaviour towards the royal family. “He’s doing everything he can to make amends with King Charles – and so far things look promising,” a royal insider exclusively tells New Idea. But while Prince Harry’s new move is all well and good, the source says “the ongoing wildcard” however, is the Duchess of Sussex. “Harry is making overtures towards his family off his own back, even though there’s no guarantee that Meghan is fully on board,” adds the source. “Harry has warned her not to jeopardise things for his comeback.” There are many complex reasons why Harry, 40, has softened his stance towards his family, such as his dad’s cancer diagnosis. From rushing to be…

Larrikin actor Scott McRae bursts out laughing when asked what it was like to be a teen idol on E Street, the saucy Australian TV soap that also helped kickstart the careers of Bruce Samazan, Marcus Graham and Simon Baker. “I definitely know I was well behind Bruce and Simon, but whatever … I’ll take it,” Scotty declares in an exclusive interview with New Idea, reflecting on those heady days in the early ’90s when the show exploded on our screens. “I remember years later taking [my daughter] Maddie to school and her teacher went, ‘Oh my God, I had you on the back of my door as a pin-up.’ Moments like that are quite funny. “I was never into that side of it. Some people are and good luck…

Capsicum and Tomato Oven-Baked Risotto SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 25 MINS ■ 1 onion, finely chopped ■ 2 cloves garlic, crushed ■ 1 cup arborio rice ■ 400g can diced tomatoes ■ ¼ cup tomato pesto ■ 1 vegetable stock cube, crumbled ■ 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed ■ ½ cup drained, roasted capsicum strips ■ 100g baby spinach leaves 1 Heat an oiled, flameproof casserole dish (16-cup capacity) over a medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 mins, or until soft. Add rice. Cook, stirring, for 1 min. 2 Stir in tomatoes, pesto, crumbled stock cube and 2½ cups boiling water. Bring to boil. Cover with lid. 3 Cook in a 180C preheated oven for about 15 mins, or until most liquid is…

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1 Which period drama follows the lives of the Crawley family? A) The Gilded Age B) Upstairs, Downstairs C) Downton Abbey D) To the Manor Born 2 Who played Alexis Carrington in the original Dynasty TV series? A) Linda Evans B) Joan Collins C) Heather Locklear D) Stephanie Beacham 3 According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2025 is the year of which animal? A) Dragon  B) Snake  C) Rooster  D) Horse 4 Who hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in Australia? A) Daryl Somers  B) Andrew Denton  C) Rove McManus  D) Eddie McGuire  5 Which Australian actress won an Oscar for The Hours?  A) Cate Blanchett  B) Nicole Kidman  D) Naomi Watts  D) Toni Collette  6 Complete this lyric from the Alanis Morissette song ‘Ironic’: “It’s like rain on your…”  A)…