Table of contents for 5 August 2025 in Bella

With a new cohort of famous faces preparing to face the gruelling challenge, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is back on Channel 4. Under the watchful eye of chief trainer Billy Billingham, the show will put a group of brave celebrities through a quasi military training course that only a few will pass. Leading the line-up is Rebecca Loos – who infamously claimed to have a four-month affair with David Beckham, which he denied – and dancer Louie Spence. Love Island and Strictly star Tasha Ghouri will be joined by fellow Islanders Adam Collard and Chloe Burrows, as well as The Traitors winner Harry Clark. S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt will also see if she has what it takes, as will boxer Conor Benn, singer Lucy Spraggan and footballer…

At 78, Janet Street-Porter is still one of the most outspoken women on TV, and we love her for it. Whether she’s talking about being married four times, jokingly squaring up to her fellow Loose Women panellists or revealing intimate details about her past, she’s certainly never boring. Which makes it all the more surprising that ITV is reportedly targeting shows like Loose Women – which has been on air since 1999 – as it makes cuts to its daytime schedule, resulting in a loss of more than 220 jobs. Luckily, Janet hints to Bella that there are still plenty more stories to come from her and the rest of the Loose ladies. You’re never short of opinions on Loose Women. Do you still love being on the show? Of…

As I sat moaning about men with my friend, she sighed. It was 2019 and, like me, she’d just escaped a bad marriage, and said, ‘Maybe I’d have more luck on a dating site.’ I told her to go for it and, back home, I decided to follow my own advice and made a profile. I browsed the blokes, until one stopped me in my tracks. His name was Mil, and he was gorgeous. Then a message popped up – from him! We got chatting and hit it off. Maybe I’ve found one of the good ones, I thought. But then he made a confession. ‘I have to tell you something up front…’ he wrote. ‘I’m married.’ I was about to end the chat when he said he wanted to…

No ‘They can be incredibly educational’ Amancay Tapia, 45, journalist and filmmaker When used with care and purpose, screens can be incredibly educational. My daughter is mostly bilingual thanks to screen time and has also been learning Mandarin on Duolingo since she was four. There are some brilliant music apps, which help young children learn the basics – a lifeline for families without access to tutors. My daughter began learning times tables early, helped by fun YouTube songs and Numberblocks. Singing the tables made them stick, and over time, she mastered them. Educational shows like Doctor Binocs and Operation Ouch sparked her curiosity about science and medicine – and I know other parents have seen the same. That said, I’m not in favour of children spending hours watching cartoons, especially…

WIN £500! On her way into the Knives on the Table pre-launch party on the MS Aventura, celebrity make-up artist Eva Longe found herself blocked by two women. One, red-faced, wearing a sour expression and too much make-up, was jabbing a finger in the direction of Eva’s friend, marketing manager Annabel Locke, and a wary-looking security guard. Music throbbed out from the party that was in full swing inside the Infinity Bar. ‘We were told Jez Cox would love to meet us!’ said the woman. ‘I’m Mrs Jill Stone. S-T-O-N-E. We must be on the list. I won a competition to meet the celebrity chef from Saturday Night Pud. That’s the whole point of us coming!’ she bellowed, then elbowed her friend. ‘Kylie! Get the letter out.’ ‘It’ll be in the…

What a load of nonsense! Having personal style is one of the greatest joys to have in life and I love taking inspiration from those older and younger than me. I say, have fun with the way you dress, and don’t pay any attention to anyone who thinks otherwise. Chloe Pommery, Eversholt I’m in my 60s and I do not want to be dressed in the same kind of outfits as my granddaughter or nieces – and I’m sure they wouldn’t either! We are in very different stages in life, and while they look great, I need clothes for comfort and that I can do the gardening in. Aurelia Peters, Henley-on-Thames I don’t think age should dictate what you wear, but I do think you should be practical. I’m not…

FILM The Naked Gun Rebooting the spoof action-comedy franchise – which made its debut as ’80s TV series Police Squad! – comes the latest Naked Gun film. A sequel to 1994’s Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, this movie brings us some new characters, three decades on. Following in the footsteps of his bumbling father, Detective Frank Drebin Jr must solve a murder case to prevent the police department shutting down. Starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. EVENT Twist Museum This summer, London’s mind-bending museum where art, science and illusion collide is inviting visitors to lose themselves in immersive fun. A Festival For Curious Minds flips the script on the traditional museum experience with interactive workshops, thought-provoking installations and adults-only evening takeovers. Running until 31 August. Find out more…

Annabel Croft Swapping her tennis whites for a soft, pastel hue, Annabel, 59, looked fabulous at Wimbledon. Her white Gucci trainers made for a casual – yet iconic – look. Penelope Cruz A vision of elegance, Spanish-born Penelope, 51, looked gorgeous in this midnight blue chiffon gown. We love the stunning cape detail. Twiggy Supermodel Twiggy, 75, kept it smart in her matching pastel suit. The star paired the look with a classic white T-shirt and simple brogues. Kate Middleton The Princess of Wales, 43, stepped out at Wimbledon in a striking cobalt frock by Roksanda, featuring a statement ruffle on the shoulder. Vanessa Kirby Vanessa, 37, turned heads at The Fantastic Four: First Steps premiere. The actor, who is pregnant with her first child, wowed in an unusual beaded…

After Prince Harry and King Charles’s aides were seen meeting for a ‘peace summit’ in London earlier this month, hopes are high that the strained relations between father and son could finally be on the mend. With the rift between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family having rumbled on for over five years, sources tell Bella that Harry continues to hurt over the family he has lost, particularly in the midst of his father and Kate Middleton’s cancer battles, and longs to resolve the fractured relationship. ‘Harry wants nothing more than to fix things,’ a source close to the Duke tells Bella. ‘He won’t give up. He knows he made mistakes, but he believes in forgiveness. He’s now focused on finding a way through it, not just…

Are suncream sprays effective enough to use on their own? Arguably the easiest to apply, SPF mists can be a simple way of shielding skin – but they may not provide enough protection when used alone. ‘I always recommend applying a thorough, full cream coverage 15 minutes before going out into the sun,’ says Abi Cleeve, UV and Skincare Expert. ‘This is the perfect safe base to then use sprays for top-ups throughout the day.’ With a glowing finish, Hawaiian Tropic Glowing Protection Dry Oil Spray SPF30, £17.99, leaves skin feeling hydrated without being greasy. Sol De Janeiro Rio Radiance Body spray SPF50, £36, sprays on easily, feels smooth and silky on skin and rubs in seamlessly, while Garnier Ambre Solaire Invisible Protect Mist SPF30, £6.99, contains skin-loving aloe vera…

Fastening the seatbelt next to me, I tugged on my own before saying, ‘You ready?’ ‘Oh yeah!’ chirped the little voice next to me. I was with my five-year-old JoLynn, and we were doing one of our favourite activities together – riding roller coasters. My son Walker, three, was too scared to join us, so JoLynn was my theme park buddy. As a single parent, I took every chance I could to have quality time with each of my two kids. JoLynn was a ball of energy, and a real daredevil – she wasn’t scared of anything. She loved gymnastics, baseball, and we’d go to the nail salon to get pedicures together, or take trips to the zoo. Even though he didn’t come with us on the roller coasters, my…

Lying on the beach, I heard a motorbike approaching. Looking up I saw one of the locals on the bike and smiled. This wasn’t the first time he’d driven past and as he tooted his horn and waved, I cheekily blew a kiss his way. It was June 1977 and, at 21, I’d just been made redundant from my job as a lab assistant. I had also recently split from my fiancé too. Feeling low, I’d decided to book a two week trip to Corfu with my best friend. We were having a great time, lying by the beach in the day followed by cocktails in the evening. And now, this local lad had caught my eye. I found out his name was Costa and his family owned a motorbike…

Don’t let common travel ailments spoil your trip. From motion sickness to jet lag, sunburn to tummy troubles packing the right first aid kit – and knowing how to use it – can turn your holiday from stressful to smooth. We asked pharmacist Deborah Grayson for her top health hacks and travel essentials to keep you feeling your best, wherever you go. Pack like a pro Space is tight when you travel, so choose compact items that are (literally) worth their weight. Organise your kit in a small, compartmentalised bag ‘Keep items grouped – pain relief, tummy remedies, plasters etc. – and label them if needed,’ says Deborah. ‘If you’re flying, keep critical medications in your hand luggage, and carry a note listing allergies and emergency contacts.’ ‘Always keep critical…

Sunshine and history Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, Malta is a sun-drenched paradise basking in almost 3000 hours of sunshine a year. It has a history that dates back over 7000 years, with ancient temples, fortresses and beautiful cities waiting to be explored. English is widely spoken and there are reminders of its colonial past everywhere including red telephone boxes, post boxes and driving on the left. Today, it’s a vibrant and welcoming country and Valletta, the Europe Union’s smallest capital, is a must-visit destination. See the sights Head to Valletta, Malta’s historic walled capital, to stroll through the streets and visit the stunning St John’s Co-Cathedral, home to ornate décor and Caravaggio masterpieces. Pre-book a Heritage Malta walking tour of the city’s underground tunnels,…

Fiona Phillips has thanked fans for their support over her memoir Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer’s. In a video shared on husband Martin Frizell’s Instagram, the former GMTV presenter, 64, is seen enjoying an ice-cream before she says, ‘Hello! Thank you for reading my book. Really good of you. Hope you like it. OK, bye!’ Martin captioned the post, ‘Out for a walk and an Almond Magnum on a hot London afternoon.’ Fiona, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2022, said she hoped to raise awareness of the condition with the book, which she co-wrote with Martin and journalist Alison Phillips.…

This week marks the one-year anniversary of the tragedy that unfolded in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July 2024. The 14 minutes of terror at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop left three children dead and dozens more injured. A public inquiry into the atrocities began at the start of July and the parents of the little girls who survived the stabbings have spoken out about the aftermath of that day. When yoga instructor Leanne Lucas posted an advert for the two-hour holiday club and dance class, it sold out within just 11 days. It was a beautiful summer’s morning on 29 July when 26 children, all girls aged between six and 13, were dropped off by their parents to dance, play and make friendship bracelets. Meanwhile, at his family…

Staring out of the window, the doctor’s words repeated in my head. There’s nothing in your womb… Still, I couldn’t move my hand from my tummy. There may not have been a baby in there anymore, but I couldn’t help clinging to the idea of what could have been. After three years together, my partner Phillip and I were desperate for a little brother or sister for my daughter, Alysa. But in the space of two years, I’d suffered three miscarriages and now my heart had shattered into a million pieces. The worst thing was not knowing why it kept happening. ‘I don’t think I’ll ever get to bring another child into the world,’ I cried to Phillip. Over the next few months, I lost myself. But then one day,…

Are you trying to be comforting?’ ‘Yes. What do you want me to say?’ ‘Should I be angrier?’ ‘What’s done is done, I suppose.’ Lucy shrugged. Her gesture summed it all up. ‘That’s where I’m at. And people manage. They make a go of it. Don’t they?’ Lucy didn’t answer. They both knew Connie’s ambition for her daughters expanded beyond them making a go of it. She had wanted them to have spectacular careers, to travel extensively and have many interesting love affairs before settling on the person they wanted to commit to for an eternity. It was pointless saying as much. Life was more to do with making a go of it. Connie knew what else she wanted to talk about. The thing that was niggling at her and…

We’ve teamed up with Second Nature, the UK’s most trusted weight-loss programme that’s backed by the NHS. Second Nature aims to ‘rewire’ your brain so you can change your mind about healthy living and maintain healthy habits in the long term. They can help you reach your health goals and lose weight without harsh restrictions, feeling hungry, or avoiding social situations. Our exclusive plan will help you to shape up, feel energised, and keep you full without feeling deprived. You can lose up to 7lb in 7 days, then a healthy 1-2lb a week after that. HOW IT WORKS ● By eating meals that are lower in refined carbohydrates and sugar and cooked from whole foods, you’ll feel fuller for longer. ● You can lose weight without missing out by…

Georgia & Tommy: Happy Essex After Tuesday 5 August, ITV2 They found love on The Only Way Is Essex back in 2014, and now Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou are sharing all-access footage of their recent wedding, in a three-part show. The pair got engaged on holiday in Mexico in 2022, had an intimate marriage ceremony in London the following December, and on Georgia’s 34th birthday this June had a lavish second wedding in Majorca. With two small kids – Brody, four, and Gigi, eight months – to look after, shedloads of planning and Georgia previously admitting she’s a ‘control freak’, viewers can expect plenty of drama… THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO Saturday 2 August, U & Drama This historical adventure drama, based on Alexandre Dumas’s classic novel, stars Sam…

What happens when you throw a soap legend, an interiors icon and a former Love Island contestant into a culinary competition and mix them with a Michelin-starred mentor? We’re about to find out, as Cooking With The Stars is back for a delicious new series. Here, three celebrities taking part – Natalie Cassidy, Kelly Hoppen and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu– talk food flops, family feasts and filleting fish… What made you want to take part? Natalie: I absolutely love cooking, but I cook the same dishes over and over again. I really wanted to be with a chef all day long. What an amazing job! Depending on who you’re paired with, you never know what you might end up learning, or eating! I’m paired with Tony Singh and I can’t wait. ‘We…