Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 33, 2025 i New Idea

I never knew Michelle Bridges and I had so much in common, but after she shared two disastrous dating stories on her Instagram recently, I reckon we’d have a lot to talk about! After putting herself out there and going on her first date in five-and-a-half years, she got stood up. It’s happened to me, too – more than once! But Michelle has spoken out for all the single ladies, and it sounded like her night might’ve turned around! See her story on page 7. We’re not the only ones who are going to miss Lynne McGranger on our screens – imagine how her work bestie Ada is going to feel (page 36). While it’s still chilly out there, make the most of your slow cooker with our special recipes…

Just three years after their lavish $6 million dollar official wedding, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham have renewed their vows. But forget a quiet, intimate ceremony just for two – instead, they went all out for their second big day, on August 2. “They spared no expense,” a source tells New Idea. Noticeably absent from the party were Brooklyn’s parents, David, 50, and Victoria, 51. His siblings, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, didn’t attend either. On the other hand, Nicola’s father, Nelson, officiated the service. The smitten couple took group photos with smiling family and friends, suggesting that the couple sent out plenty of invites! Meanwhile, the Beckham clan were in St Tropez. “They were blindsided when they saw the photos,” our source adds. “It looked a…

King Charles has not had a dream run on the throne. While nothing could have prepared him for his cancer diagnosis, which torpedoed almost all his long-term plans, he never expected his seemingly impregnable marriage to come under fire. Last week, the King found himself flying solo at Balmoral Castle, after his wife, Queen Camilla, booked in a luxurious solo holiday to the Mediterranean. The ill-timed sojourn meant her 76-year-old husband had to begin his Scottish summer vacation alone. It’s been a busy few weeks on the royal calendar, and sources say the King was looking forward to some respite – with his wife – in Scotland. ‘This is not a good look for Camilla’ But at the same time, Camilla, 78, was seen relaxing on the $60 million superyacht…

RING REVEAL! MAN OVERBOARD! Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky continue to lead separate lives, doing little to dull recent chatter that their marriage might be on struggle street. On August 11, Chris celebrated his 42nd birthday in Ibiza, Spain – but his Spanish-born wife was nowhere to be seen! While Chris partied with his brothers, Luke and Liam, and famous mates Taika Waititi, Rita Ora and Matt Damon, Elsa, 49, was instead home in Byron Bay. A few days before the boat party, she was seen looking rather glum as she did a grocery shop at her local Coles. “It’s odd that Elsa wasn’t there. Maybe she had to be home for the kids and school?” one source wonders. Meanwhile, it appears Chris’ day of birth wasn’t the only thing…

Hollywood is officially in its ‘Jane Austen era’ once more. Following a string of adaptations in the ’90s, producers are again turning to the British author for inspiration, with multiple new productions in the works! Perhaps the most anticipated of them all is Netflix’s upcoming six-part Pride and Prejudice miniseries, which stars Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Olivia Colman as her meddlesome mother. Joining them in Longbourn are Freya Mavor, Hopey Parish, Hollie Avery and Rhea Norwood as sisters Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia Bennet respectively. Rufus Sewell plays Mr. Bennet. The first official look at Olivia, Emma and the rest of the Bennet girls was released by Netflix in late July. A few days later, Emma and Freya were spotted shooting scenes together in London. “To be able…

HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE! Spice Girl turned The Voice Australia coach Melanie ‘Mel C’ Chisholm could be about to say ‘zig-a-zig-yes!’ to her hunky Aussie beau, Chris Dingwall’s proposal! Wedding buzz has amped up following the couple’s recent sun-soaked getaway to Ibiza. While an engagement would be welcomed by Spice Girls fans, it would be an about face for Mel, 51. In 2022, she told The Sunday Times that she wasn’t entirely wedded to the notion of getting married. But it seems meeting Chris has possibly changed her feelings about matrimony. Chris, an Australian model, actor and filmmaker in his 40s, is believed to have crossed paths with Mel when she was undertaking her DJ tour in Australia in 2023 and early 2024. The pair’s romance first came to…

They’ve shared the small screen for 25 years, finish each other’s sentences, go on holidays together and are long-time dressing room buddies. So when Ada Nicodemou said she was “in denial” about being on Home and Away without her retiring “best mate” Lynne McGranger by her side, she really, truly meant it! “What can I say about my best mate? And my favourite work mate? I love you so much [Lynne] I think I’m still in denial that you’re leaving. I may not let you leave. Maybe I’ll just kidnap you and let you live in our dressing room,” Ada wrote on Instagram when the news was first announced. Ada, along with the rest of the country, will farewell Lynne from Summer Bay when her final episode airs this week,…

Baked Caramilk Cheesecake SERVES 12 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 25 MINS ■ 250g packet Nice biscuits ■ 2 tbsp desiccated coconut ■ 125g unsalted butter, melted ■ Caramilk chocolate curls, to decorate FILLING ■ 180g block Caramilk chocolate, chopped ■ 250g block cream cheese, chopped ■ 250g tub cream cheese spread ■ ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ■ 1 tbsp vanilla extract ■ 300ml tub sour cream ■ 3 eggs CARAMILK CREAM ■ 180g block Caramilk, chopped ■ 300ml tub thickened cream 1 Invert base of a 22cm round springform pan (base measures 21cm). Grease and line base and side with baking paper, extending paper 2cm above edge of pan. 2 Process biscuits in a food processor until finely crushed. Add coconut and butter. Process until combined. Press…

Only in New Idea It was once suggested that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach … and that’s exactly what happened in the case of Hollywood’s cutest new couple, Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson! After weeks of speculation, the pair, who are starring in a new The Naked Gun movie, have confirmed they are indeed an item. Now, Pamela tells New Idea that they initially bonded through their shared love of food. “Liam totally fell in love with my sourdough bread,” she tells us with a giggle. “I would make him bread, cookies, muffins … all kinds of stuff. We just had a great connection.” In this version of The Naked Gun, Liam takes over from the late Leslie Nielsen, playing his son Frank Jr., who…

1 A princess from which country has arrived in Australia to study at The University of Sydney? A) Belgium B) Denmark C) Norway D) Sweden 2 In the 2003 film Ned Kelly, which actor played the infamous outlaw? A) Joel Edgerton B) Chris Hemsworth C) Heath Ledger D) Sam Worthington 3 What team does Matildas star Sam Kerr play for in England’s Super League? A) Liverpool B) Chelsea C) Arsenal D) West Ham United 4 Which cheese takes its name from the Italian word for ‘cut’? A) Ricotta B) Cheddar C) Mozzarella D) Provolone 5 What was the first Delta Goodrem track to make number one on the Australian charts? A) ‘Innocent Eyes’ B) ‘You Will Only Break My Heart’ C) ‘Predictable’ D) ‘Born to Try’ 6 What is the…

Popular AFL icon Bailey Smith has seemingly swiped right on a new flame – but fans are up in arms about the shock liaison! The star Geelong Cats player, 24, who was recently signed on as an ambassador for dating app Tinder, has been spotted on a date with controversial influencer Tammy Hembrow, 31. They enjoyed a lunch outing on the Gold Coast on August 9. The pair held hands, chatted and laughed together as they exited the ritzy Rick Shores restaurant in Burleigh Heads. “They couldn’t keep their hands off one another,” an onlooker told New idea. But the surprise romance has some AFL fans booing from the sidelines, with the vitriol particularly directed at mum-of-three Tammy. She split from husband Matthew Zukowski, 30, nine weeks ago, after just…

When it comes to the dating game, Michelle Bridges just can’t catch a break! The fitness queen has taken to social media to outline not one, but two disastrous dates she’s recently endured. “Sharing for my single ladies,” Michelle said on Instagram. “I went on a first date tonight – the first date I’ve had in 5.5 years. I looked frickin’ hot btw.” But all her efforts were in vain because Michelle’s date was a no-show! “I got stood up,” she added on her post. Fortunately, another man, who struck up a conversation with the 12WBT fitness and nutrition program founder, partly salvaged Michelle’s evening. “We sat for two hours and chatted and laughed,” she explained. “He’s like way too young but at this point, who cares?” However, 54-year-old Michelle…

Sarah Ferguson is certainly no stranger to a controversy or two, but the publication of a new book (which dredges up allegations from her past) has left the Duchess of York reeling. Pitched as a deep dive into Fergie’s disgraced ex-husband, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and the life they once shared, Andrew Lownie’s Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York has been making headlines for its explosive claims about the couple. Along with alleging that Andrew had many extramarital affairs, Lownie makes the bold claim that Fergie once set out to romance Tiger Woods! “Of course Sarah is crushed at how this is going to affect her standing with the royals,” an insider tells New Idea. “She’s been working so hard to get back in…

SUSAN OLSEN CINDY BRADY Like most of her castmates, Susan has struggled to escape The Brady Bunch’s very large legacy. With Hollywood unable to see her as anything but pigtailed cutie Cindy, Susan eventually gave up acting, later explaining it was never really her passion to begin with. “When I was younger… I really hated the fact that I was in such a wholesome show with American values and family values,” Susan once confessed. “I think people generally are happily surprised when they find out that my tastes were not quite so wholesome.” Susan did add that, with hindsight, she was now “so proud” of her involvement. Later in life, Susan, 64, started growing marijuana with her then-husband – though it “bothered” her that they were doing something illegal. Susan…

While overseas, Mel C attended her former bandmate Melanie ‘Mel B’ Brown’s second wedding in Morocco. And we hear Scary Spice had some blunt advice when it comes to being a coach on The Voice. New Idea can reveal Mel B, 50, jokingly warned her pal: “Just don’t be the boring coach!” The spicy tip came with a wink but some reckon it may have been a sly swipe at Ginger Spice – aka Geri Halliwell – who failed to set the stage alight when she joinedAustralia’s Got Talentin 2013. Meanwhile, Mel B served as a coach onThe Voice Kids Australiain 2014 and has been a judge on many other singing shows. “Let’s just say Mel B knows how to make an entrance and she expects the same from her…

Cheesy Chipotle Beef Tacos SERVES 6 PREP & COOK 4 HOURS 25 MINS ■ 1.4kg beef chuck steak, trimmed ■ 40g sachet Chipotle & Roasted Garlic Dry Marinade (see Tip) ■ 400g can diced tomatoes ■ 2 cups grated tasty cheese ■ 135g packet (12) taco shells ■ 1 large avocado, mashed 1 Toss beef with marinade in a large bowl. 2 Heat an oiled, large non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Add beef in two batches. Cook for about 3 mins on each side, or until browned. Transfer to the removable bowl of a 5 to 6-litre capacity slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes. Cover with lid. 3 Cook on Low for 4 hours, or until beef is tender. Using tongs, remove beef from cooker. Shred into thin strands.…

Orange, Raspberry and Passionfruit Loaf SERVES 8-10 PREP & COOK 1 HOUR 10 MINS ■ 1¾ cups self-raising flour ■ ⅔ cup caster sugar ■ 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries ■ ¾ cup buttermilk ■ ½ cup olive oil ■ 2 eggs ■ 2 tsp finely grated orange rind PASSIONFRUIT ICING ■ 1 cup icing sugar mixture ■ 1-2 tbsp passionfruit pulp 1 Grease a medium (12cm x 22cm top measurement) loaf pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 3cm above pan edges. 2 Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add three-quarters of the raspberries. Toss to coat in flour mixture. 3 Whisk buttermilk, oil, eggs and rind in a medium bowl until smooth. Add to flour mixture. Gently stir until just combined. Spoon…

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After debuting their surprise romance in April, things are moving fast for Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus. New Idea can report that the smitten pair are giving serious thought to adopting a child together! “It’s out there for sure but they are totally in love and would love to share that love with a child in need of a loving home,” our source explains. “They’ve both got grown kids – but that doesn’t mean they’re done parenting.” Liz, 60, is mum to son Damian, 23, but she clearly dotes on the younger members of her extended family, including her godchild (pictured below). Meanwhile, Billy Ray, 63, has six kids. “They are very serious about each other, and adoption is on the table,” our source adds.…

Two years on from her release from jail, Kathleen Folbigg hasn’t received a dime in compensation after she was wrongfully imprisoned for two decades for the deaths of her four children. Earlier this month, the NSW Government offered her an ex-gratia payment of $2 million – a decision that has been widely condemned by legal and scientific experts. Kathleen described the offer as “insulting”. “‘We hope this rebuilds your life, full stop, see you later,’ that’s basically how it reads,” Kathleen, 58, told 9News. “What [the government has] done is offer an innocent person an amount that doesn’t justify all the suffering and everything else that happened.” Kathleen served 20 years of a 25-year sentence for the murder of three of her children, Laura, Patrick and Sarah, along with the…

It’s no secret that Blockhead Han has locked horns with Foreman Dan Reilly since she arrived at the worksite in Daylesford, Vic, with her partner, Can. But apparently we haven’t seen the half of it, with things getting so heated that Han could be the first contestant ever asked to leave the hit series! A source on set of The Block’s 2025 season tells New Idea: “We’re seeing a toned-down version of what really went down and it was emotionally charged. Day in, day out.” The personality clash between Han and Foreman Dan was obvious from the first week. Han went behind Dan’s back and started waterproofing their bathroom – even though he specifically asked her not to do it on her own, as she isn’t a licensed waterproofer. Dan…

There’s no question that it’s been an emotional few years for Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness. But while the recent finalisation of their divorce should have been a chance for the exes to draw a line in the sand and get on with their lives, a milestone anniversary is prolonging their pain, and forcing them to relive their past. It has just gone 30 years since the pair’s first professional endeavour together, the TV series Correlli, premiered. IN THE MIDDLE While Hugh, 56, has now moved on with his new partner, Sutton Foster, it’s said he is saddened by this very public reminder of such a pivotal personal chapter. Ditto Deb, who is still feeling the sting of what she called “the betrayal” of their marriage split. Indeed, there’s no…

DUBBED ‘THE DUCHESS OF GREED’ As a married royal, Fergie took advantage of the palace’s wallet – living a life of “opulent excess”, according to Lownie. As Andrew’s wife, Fergie could rack up yearly bills to the tune of $1.8 million on staff, glamorous holidays, flowers and parties. Other splurges included shelling out up to $8000 for excess baggage at airports and $29,000 monthly wine bills. Lownie claims staff told of Fergie’s “greed and wastefulness that contributed to [her] financial downfall” – including epic feasts “that would make Henry VIII proud”. “Every night she demands a whole side of beef, a leg of lamb and a chicken, which are laid out on the dining room table like a medieval banquet,” the source says. “It just sits there all night, and…

When film crews arrived in the small Italian city of Perugia to film the newest take on the Amanda Knox saga, the reaction to their arrival was undeniable. They were met with the sight of “Rispetto per Meredith” (respect for Meredith) emblazoned across a bedsheet hanging from one local’s balcony. The banner, of course, referred to Meredith Kercher. The 21-year-old British exchange student was brutally murdered in 2007 inside the Perugia apartment she shared with American Amanda. It was a crime that Amanda, then 22, was twice convicted for, along with her boyfriend at the time, Italian Raffaele Sollecito. The pair served four years in jail and were ultimately acquitted in 2015 after “stunning flaws” were found in the initial police investigation into them. So, in November 2024, when production…

Pea and Bacon Soup SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS ■ 150g short cut bacon, finely chopped ■ 2 onions, thinly sliced ■ 1 leek, trimmed, quartered lengthways, sliced ■ 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves ■ 2 large carrots, finely chopped ■ 2 stalks celery, finely sliced ■ 1 litre (4 cups) salt-reduced chicken stock ■ 2 cups frozen peas 1 Heat an oiled stockpot over a medium heat. Add bacon, onion, leek and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 mins, or until leek is soft. 2 Add carrot and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 mins, or until just tender. Add stock. Bring to boil. Simmer, covered, for 10 mins. 3 Add peas. Simmer for a further 3 mins. Remove from heat. Cool for 10 mins.…

HOW TO MICROWAVE SCRAMBLED EGGS Lightly grease a microwave-safe cup or mug. Add 2 eggs and 1 tbsp milk. Whisk with a fork until well combined. Microwave on Medium for about 30 secs; stir with a fork. Microwave on Medium for a further 15-20 secs or until egg is cooked but still a little soft in the centre. Remove. Set aside for about 30 secs as egg will continue to cook on standing. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with toast fingers. SOME YUM FOR YOUR TUM While flavour-boosting garlic and onion are typically avoided by sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Cobram Estate’s range of infused extra virgin olive oils is certified Low FODMAP by Monash University. A delicious addition to meals and kind on your gut, they'll help…

New Idea Book of the week This romantic adventure will transport you all the way back to 1828! Viking descendant Elsa Ferner escapes an unwanted marriage by fleeing Norway with English officer Thompson Smith. On arriving in Iceland, it seems the pair might finally explore a new life together. However, a rash act sees Thompson taken away in chains, with Elsa now fighting for their future, and leading them on to new frontiers. But tragedy strikes, and Thompson chooses to stowaway himself, this time to Australia, embittered yet resolved to find a new life with their son, Sven. Little do they know that Elsa has begun a search for them… OUT TUE., PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, $34.99 AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT Mary-Anne O’Connor lives in Sydney with her husband, Anthony, and their two…

THE CAM-BACK CONTINUES! Cameron Diaz There was an extra pep in Cameron’s step as she ran errands in New York. Perhaps it’s due to the reports that her 1997 romcom, My Best Friend’s Wedding, is finally getting a sequel?! Naomi Campbell From the catwalk to the coastline – Naomi is always serving looks! On a yacht holiday in Spain, the model rinsed off after an ocean dip. Simon Cowell Simon’s got talent… for parenting some adorable fur babies! The music mogul showed off two of his four dogs, Squiddly and Diddly. Helen Mirren Helen and Pierce Brosnan laughed their way through a talk show appearance in New York, where they were promoting their new movie, The Thursday Murder Club. REDHEADS HAVE MORE FUN Ed Sheeran Fourteen years after he had…