Table of contents for Issue 16, 2026 in New Idea

Following the successful launch of his podcast earlier this year, chatter has reached fever pitch that Karl Stefanovic is looking to step away from his TV gig on Today, when his contract ends, to focus on his new endeavour. And according to a new report in the Sunday Telegraph, Sunrise co-host Matt Shirvington is being eyed off by Nine executives as a dream replacement! “Nine could poach Shirvo and at the same time bolster their Olympics coverage,” the Telegraph report stated. New Idea’s TV insider confirms that Nine is “working on Karl’s succession plan”. However, luring Matt, 47, from Sunrise “would take a miracle” because he is “very happy” at Channel Seven and has “no plans to go anywhere”, our source adds. According to the Telegraph, others in the mix…

Britney Spears has checked into rehab, after her recent arrest for a DUI. A source told TMZ the singer “realises she hit rock bottom”. Britney, 44, has entered an unnamed facility with the support of her sons Preston, 20, and Jayden, 19. After a period of estrangement, Britney reunited with her boys this year. “This situation is a wake-up call,” TMZ’s source added. Britney was arrested on March 5 after allegedly driving while impaired. In her 2023 memoir The Woman in Me, she confided she’s had issues with prescription drugs and alcohol in the past.…

From the current, US-lead war in the Middle East and President Donald Trump’s insults directed towards British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, to discussions over whether they will meet victims of Jeffrey Epstein, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s impending state visit to America is already mired in controversy. And behind palace doors, New Idea can reveal the royals are becoming increasingly reluctant to go. “Neither Charles nor Camilla especially want to undertake this tour, but it’s happening, primarily as a high-profile diplomatic mission to bolster relations between the UK and US,” our royal insider explains. The six-day trip, which begins on April 27, will coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence. “Camilla actually came close to pulling out,” our insider adds. “But relations between the two countries are so…

WAS THERE EVER A FEUD WITH DEB? For many years, rumours swirled that Georgie and Today co-host Deb Knight were locked in a bitter “catfight” for the top spot. But was there really tension? WHAT WAS THE STORY WITH KARL AFTER UBERGATE? In 2018, an Uber driver overheard Karl and Peter Stefanovic’s 45-minute speakerphone vent. Karl famously took aim at Georgie, accusing her of “sitting on the fence” and that she needed to “step up ”. DID THE PRODUCER SPAT REALLY HAPPEN? In 2024, an internal probe was launched after Georgie reportedly lost her temper with a junior producer. She allegedly told the staffer to “grow up” off-camera. BEHIND THE HEARTACHE Georgie once revealed that two miscarriages took her to a “very deep and dark place”. She was rocked not…

With four teams competing to win $100,000 – and working to give away two multimillion-dollar homes to two Aussie families – you can bet the competition is fierce on My Reno Rules! But newlyweds Mitch and Shaz are especially hungry for the win. The pair are both 34 and hail from Queensland. “If Shaz can dream it, Mitch can do it,” says a show insider. Mitch is a landscape project manager while Shaz runs her own interior design company, which she says, despite their lack of renovation experience is “an advantage”. Also competing are best mates Franky and Isaac, parents Nathan and Julia and mother and daughter duo Emma and Michelle. Let the games begin!…

$3.90 per serve Creamy Spaghetti with Salami Carbonara SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 15 MINS ■ 375g spaghetti ■ 150g thinly sliced salami, roughly chopped ■ 2 tsp garlic paste ■ 3 eggs ■ ²⁄³ cup light thickened cooking cream ■ ½ cup grated parmesan, plus extra to serve ■ ¹⁄³ cup chopped fresh parsley ■ Crusty bread, to serve TIP This dish is best served straightaway as the pasta soaks up sauce on standing. 1 Cook pasta in a stockpot of boiling, salted water until tender. Drain. Return to pan. Cover to keep warm. 2 Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add salami and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 mins, until lightly browned. Remove pan from heat. 3 Whisk together eggs and cream…

INTRODUCING FLETCHER JAMES REILLY! Taking to Instagram, the reality stars shared a series of photos of the new addition to the family and revealed Fletcher was born on April 10. Calling their son a “perfect boy”, the announcement comes after the couple lost their first child, daughter Billie, in December 2024. Billie tragically passed away at only 10 days old. It’s exciting news for The Block foreman Dan Reilly and wife Dani Wales as they welcome their second child, a baby boy named Fletcher James Reilly. Friends, family and other Block stars commented on the post, including 2025 Blockheads Britt and Taz who said, “Congratulations Dani & Dan, he’s absolutely perfection. Billie’s little brother.” The show’s co-host Shelley Craft said, “He’s the luckiest little man to have been given to…

Catriona Rowntree has been showered with love and support after sharing the sad news that her “beautiful big sister” Lucinda had succumbed to cancer on April 10. “Heaven has a new angel,” the “heartbroken” Getaway star, 54, wrote in an emotional Instagram post. Catriona said that Lucinda “truly threw kindness around like confetti” and that “everyone adored her”. The Channel Nine favourite added that out of all her siblings – Catriona also has a brother Andrew and another sister Marisa – Lucinda was the apple of their parents’ eye. Catriona first made Lucinda’s diagnosis public in April 2023, revealing that her sister had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer — described as “apparently incurable”. This resulted in Lucinda leaving her job as a school teacher on Sydney’s Upper North Shore.…

The Duke andDuchess of Sussex packed a lot of action into their ‘quasi-royal’, four-day tour Down Under. But New Instead, she had to stick to the planned itinerary. Idea has heard whispers that there was apparently one high-profile collaboration on Meghan’s Aussie wish list, that unfortunately, did not come to fruition. According to one insider, Meghan would have loved to have met the Irwins during this trip. Our source says she “hugely admires” all that Terri, Bindi and Robert have achieved, and “wanted to sound them out about potentially working together – or even involving her kids in any upcoming Wildlife Warrior missions one day”. Meghan, 44, has slowly been introducing Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, into her social media posts. Our source believes this might suggest Meghan…

Forget something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue – Jennifer Aniston is throwing out the rule book for her wedding to Jim Curtis. It’s believed that Jen and Jim, a hypnotherapist, wellness coach and author, are quietly engaged after a year of dating. Now, New Idea hears Jen is “deep into planning” what insiders are calling an “ultra-Zen, chilled-out” vow ceremony. “Jen’s totally at peace now and that radiates out,” dishes a well-placed source. “Jim is the same way. He is very emotionally intelligent, heart-centred and into all the ‘woo-woo stuff ’. “The wedding is going to reflect that in a big way.” Indeed, the ceremony is set to be unlike anything Hollywood has seen. Jen and Jim want to be outside and barefoot – grounding themselves to the…

When Brant and Todd were underground, music became a lifeline – and sparked an unexpected link to some rock legends. Among the supplies delivered to them, at their request, was an iPod loaded with Foo Fighters songs. Frontman Dave Grohl learnt of this and had a note sent down. Inspired, the band released ‘Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners’ in 2007. And when they performed in Launceston in December 2025, Brant joined them on stage. “It was fantastic,” he says, grinning. “I’m just so lucky to be here and enjoy life.”…

It was one of the most momentous nights of her life and Annabelle Wilson jokes she was not exactly dressed for it. Friends had taken her to a dinner event at the Williamtown Air Force base near Newcastle, NSW, and it was there, wearing American college-themed fancy dress, she fell in love. “I can still picture the moment I met Josh,” Annabelle says. “I was 19 and he was 22, just back from eight months in Afghanistan. I came with someone else that night but I ditched him for Josh!” Tragically, Annabelle would soon discover that Josh Wilson, a flight lieutenant with the Royal Australian Air Force, had recently been diagnosed with brain cancer. It is something she attributes to his work, but the causes of brain cancer are largely…

Even after 30 years in the police force, Ian Frame is not ready to relax and retire. Heading up a new program to help young people avoid a life of crime, his hands are far too full for that! “I was at a crossroads when I was offered this job at Woodstock Farm,” Ian, 55, tells New Idea. “The kids are mainly victims who have suffered some kind of trauma. They have experienced drugs or DV, homelessness. The kinds of things you don’t expect kids to have seen in their lives.” Woodstock Farm’s year-long program, which also targets young offenders, connects its charges with the natural environment around the rural property near Mount Tamborine, QLD. There are leadership activities and a school for flexible learning. As a social enterprise, the…

Move over nuggets and noodles, there’s a new bush pantry in town. Bush Tukka Guide For Kids is the vibrant children’s spin-off from beloved ‘Bush Tukka Woman’ Samantha Martin, inviting young readers to discover Australia’s incredible native ingredients through story, culture and hands-on fun. A proud Jaru woman from the East Kimberley, Samantha shares kid-friendly recipes like lemon myrtle damper, kangaroo burgers and caramelised cluster figs with ice-cream. It’s a joyful, flavour-packed celebration of First Nations food wisdom and the perfect way to inspire conscious little cooks. Available at all good bookstores (Hardie Grant, RRP $24.99).…

START AT THE END By Emma Grey Out now, Allen & Unwin, $34.99 When couple Audrey and Fraser tumble into love, they develop an epic, unbreakable bond – until tragedy upends everything. The star-crossed lovers must then navigate guilt and what-ifs as they rebuild their lives… As the first three book-club members bustle through the front door minutes later, arms bursting with bottles of alcohol and wheels of cheese, they make their way into the kitchen and are silenced by the unexpected sight of my handsome housemate. ‘Fraser, meet the Bookies. This is April 74 and Clair and Jess …’ They’re quite simply gobsmacked. ‘This is Fraser.’ How do I explain him? ‘My, um—’ All four of them turn to me now, very keen for this explanation, and I have…

THE GOLDFINCH This is a unique book about a boy called Theo who survives a terrorist bombing in a museum and escapes the carnage, while panicking, with a masterpiece artwork under his arm. The accidental theft propels him into a later life of crime. He meets some unforgettable characters along the way and near the conclusion, I blubbed when Theo ‘sees’ his late mother, who was killed in the bombing. Ignore the not great 2019 movie and read this page turner instead! OUT NOW, HACHETTE AUSTRALIA, $24.99 By Donna Tartt…

After being spotted together at the ARIAs last November, Missy Higgins has now ‘hard launched’ her relationship with artist, Guy Guido Maestri, on social media. The ‘Scar’ singer posted a loved-up photo of herself and Guy, 52, sharing a kiss on Instagram last week. The pair were wearing almost identical striped T-shirts and jeans, and Missy, 42, joked in her caption, “When you realised you’re dating yourself!” According to the Daily Telegraph’s Confidential column, Missy and Guy have been quietly dating for a year. The mum of two split from her husband Dan Lee in 2022 after six years of marriage. “So happy to see you in love,” commented a fan on Missy’s recent post. Congrats!…

Alissa Fay sure doesn’t waste any time. Now that Married At First Sight is officially over (and she no longer has to keep up the pretence with her ‘husband’ David Momoh) the reality star has confirmed she’s moved on – and is head over heels! Alissa, 33, is now dating 2022 Ninja Warrior competitor Nathan Ryles and things are progressing quickly. New Idea spied the Adelaide-based couple packing on the PDA during a loved-up trip to Sydney. When we asked about their relationship, Alissa happily shared that she and Nathan have already said “I love you”, and moved in together just four months after they started dating! “Our connection is something I’ve never experienced before,” Alissa added. “He was unexpected – it just happened so naturally. I believe that he…

Losing a cherished parent is tough, especially when you live on the opposite side of the world. But Tasmanian-born Queen Mary of Denmark is drawing much comfort from the fact she got to spend some precious final days, in person, with her father John Donaldson, before he passed away on April 11, aged 84. Mary, 54, made time to visit John during her recent state visit to Australia, alongside husband King Frederik, 57. John, a former academic, had been in declining health for a number of years. “Mary will always treasure those last few days she got with him,” a Danish royal insider tells New Idea exclusively. “It felt like he was holding on to see her one last time. She’s grateful he’s now free from pain.” Mary is supporting…

THE CLOSE FRIENDS HAVE AN AXE TO GRIND In recent years, the halls of Channel Nine have been a revolving door for some of TV’s biggest names. But, the sudden exit of news veteran Georgie Gardner has ignited a firestorm. Leading the charge? Her long-time confidant and former Nine employee, Jessica Rowe. Following Georgie’s announcement that she’s leaving the network after almost 24 years, New Idea’s sources say she is exploring options for her next career move. And if Jess has her way, first up will be a tell-all on her popular podcast, The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show. “Jess loves the idea of giving Georgie the mic and letting her do all the talking so all of Australia can hear, in her own words, what the last two decades…

She arrived on a crisp April morning in 1926, a blue-eyed girl born to the then Duke and Duchess of York in their Mayfair townhouse. And while Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, as she was named, was third in line to the throne at birth, few could have imagined she would ever wear the crown. But thanks to a twist of fate following her uncle King Edward VIII’s abdication in 1936, and the death of her father King George VI in 1952, Elizabeth did indeed become monarch, ruling for a record-breaking and era-defining 70 years. On April 21, Queen Elizabeth II would’ve turned 100. Despite the fact that she sadly passed away, aged 96 in 2022, the occasion is being marked in the UK with a series of events led by…

For Neale Whitaker, returning to TV as a home renovations judge was all about the timing. In 2023, he stepped away from his role on The Block after 17 seasons to care for his long-term partner, David Novak-Piper. “Had the request to be a part of My Reno Rules come through 18 months ago, I probably would’ve said ‘no’,” Neale tells New Idea. “But then when I was asked, I was very flattered [they] wanted me to be a part of it.” My Reno Rules premieres on Channel Seven this week. Thankfully, David’s health is now “very much improved”, so Neale felt ready to go back to work. But in addition to the new show, Neale is also tackling a personal home renovation project at the moment. He and David…

H ow well do you know the person you love? This is the unsettling question being asked in Netflix’s newest must-watch true crime documentary. Airing this month, Should I Marry A Murderer? tells the story of Dr Caroline Muirhead, a Scottish woman who found herself at the centre of a murder case just as she was preparing to get married. “Imagine you fall in love with someone who made you feel accepted, wanted, FINAL SIGHTING seen, who made you feel whole and loved and special – and you are just so happy,” Caroline, 34, says in the two-part documentary, which premieres on April 29. “And then they say to you, ‘I’ve done a horrible, horrible thing’. Something so vile, it flips your entire world upside down.” Unbelievably, he answered with…

BRONZED BEAUTY For a gorgeous glow like Jennifer, start by applying a hydrating tint like Nude by Nature Hydra Serum Tinted Skin Perfector, $34.95, nudebynature.com (1). Use a matte bronzer to add warmth. Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Soft Matte Powder Bronzer, $51, sephora.com. au (2), delivers a buildable sun-kissed glow while nourishing the skin thanks to vitamin-rich tomato seed oil. Contour using a sculpting stick like Mecca Max Multiplayer Mode Shaping Stick, $22, mecca.com.au (3). The multitasking tool can be used over eyes, lips and cheeks for added colour and definition. For the final touch, swipe Revlon Illuminance Gloss Balm SPF 50+ in Caramel Glaze, $18.99, chemistwarehouse.com.au (4), over lips for a plump, glassy glow. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. HEALTHIER HAIR By Stephanie De…

DISGRACEFUL When pastor’s wife Grace Miller’s marriage spectacularly falls apart after 30 years, she writes a “f--k-it list” of 50 bad decisions to complete before she turns 50! Some family curveballs threaten to derail her plan but Grace is determined to get her own way for once. This fun debut by Aussie author Rachel Fox McLeod is a fab, feel-good read. OUT APR 28, SIMON & SCHUSTER, $34.99 By Rachel Fox McLeod STAR STRUCK If you’ve ever wondered what icons like Betty White, Frank Sinatra, Queen Elizabeth II or Lisa Marie Presley have to say from beyond the grave, this book by renowned psychic medium Kerrie Erwin is for you. It shares her connections with a host of late stars, and some of their revelations may surprise you. Her insights…