Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 10, 2025 i New Idea

Reports emerged last week that Packed to the Rafters star Erik Thomson has split from his wife of more than 25 years, Caitlin McDougall. The Daily Telegraph published a story on March 3, outlining the evidence indicating the marriage was over – which included the fact they no longer follow one another on social media. New Idea first reported a possible separation was on the cards in early 2024, after eagle-eyed fans noticed signs that suggested something was amiss. As of January last year, it had been more than 12 months since Erik, 57, had uploaded a photo of Caitlin to his Instagram grid, with the last being posted in February 2022. Meanwhile, Caitlin’s last post concerning the popular All Saints actor was in December 2022. Other photos of the…

While Nigella Lawson’s made many appearances on Aussie screens in recent years, she’s now firing up the ovens for her first cooking show since 2020’s Cook,Eat,Repeat! “Nigella’s still negotiating the deal but the BBC are desperate for her to return, most likely later this year,” our source says. “It may even be a Christmas special.” Nigella, 65, has previously said that she takes her time in between her solo TV projects so she can develop new recipes and ideas and not burn out. Our source adds: “The timing is right for her big comeback”.…

When it comes to long-lasting celebrity relationships, few can beat Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, who’ve been happily married since 1988. And that flame continues to burn bright it seems, with the loved-up pair spotted exiting a pre-Oscars party in Los Angeles on March 2. “Kevin and Kyra’s rock-solid relationship is the envy of Hollywood,” a source tells New Idea. “Theyr’e always laughing together when seen in public, and they’re still very touchy-feely!” Kevin, 66, and Kyra, 59, share two adult children together – music producer Travis, 35, and actress Sosie, 32. They’ve managed to juggle parenthood with their wildly successful careers. But neither Kevin nor Kyra feel qualified to dish out relationship advice, despite the strength of their 37-year-long alliance. “We joke that the secret to a successful marriage…

While mum’s away, dad and daughter will play – literally! As Katy Perry performed at a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, Orlando Bloom got in some quality time with their daughter, Daisy Dove, at a Beverly Hills park. The 48-year-old actor enjoyed the swings with Daisy, four – who kept her helmet on from some earlier scootering fun! Orlando hasn’t been shy about how much he loves being a dad. Along with Daisy, he shares son Flynn, 14, with ex-wife Miranda Kerr. In fact he’s been quite vocal about his mini-mes. “It is the greatest joy and the most beautiful responsibility,” he told Unicef. “My kids have taught me about the joy of play and they’ve taught me love in the most, sort of, pure and open-hearted way.” Meanwhile,…

It’s the mystery that has confused aviation experts for more than 60 years: what happened to New Zealand’s infamous Dragonfly plane? The plane disappeared in 1962 above an area of rough terrain where five other aircraft have since gone missing. Only one of those planes has ever been found – which has led many to question if the country has its own Bermuda Triangle. “I warn people who start reading about the disappearance that they risk getting Dragonfly fever,” local author Richard Waugh tells New Idea. “People like a mystery. It’s one that’s been part of my life since I was a boy.” Richard was five when the disaster happened. His father, Captain Brian Waugh, was close friends with the Dragonfly’s pilot, Brian Chadwick. down to Milford Sound.” “They served…

Clearly there ain’t no party like a party hosted by the Danish royals. Keeping up a now 49-year tradition, King Frederik and Queen Mary had their annual Banquet for Arts and Culture at Christiansborg Palace on February 28 – and went above and beyond to ensure everyone was having as good a time as they were! After toasting their guests, the pair, who have firmly denied recent reports of marital tension, were among the first to hit the dance floor. Along with being the perfect hostess, Mary looked every inch the textbook queen in her tiara and sequin Jenny Packham gown – which royal watchers noted has previously been worn by her friend, the Princess of Wales. SOME OUT-THERE OUTFITS!…

Chicken Souvlaki Wraps MAKES 12 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 850g chicken thigh fillets, trimmed ■ 2 tblsps olive oil ■ 3 cloves garlic, crushed ■ 3 tsps dried oregano ■ 2 tsps red wine vinegar ■ 12 x 25cm metal or wooden skewers ■ 1 large (340g) red capsicum, cut into 2cm pieces ■ 12 flour tortillas ■ 200g tub olive dip ■ 100g mixed salad leaves 1 Cut chicken into 2cm pieces. Place in a large bowl with oil, garlic, oregano and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. 2 Thread chicken onto skewers alternatively with capsicum. 3 Heat a large barbecue grill plate over a medium to high heat. Cook tortillas for about 1 minute each side, or until lightly charred. Transfer to a…

TOP CHOC DESSERT CUPS Place about four Dark Choc Melts (13g) into each hole of a 6-hole silicone muffin pan. Microwave on High (100%), stirring after 30 seconds, for about 1 minute, or until melted. Remove. Using a small teaspoon, spread chocolate over base and about halfway up the sides of holes. Refrigerate until set. Gently push bases of pan holes to release chocolate cups. Fill with combined whipped cream and caramel spread. Decorate with fresh raspberries. Q&A Q What is lemon zest, and is it the same as peeled lemon? A The word zest refers to the very finely grated outer, coloured skin of any citrus fruit, not the bitter white pith underneath. To remove this, use a microplane grater, the fine side of a box grater or a…

Our homes are our sanctuary, and because we spend so much of our time there, it’s worth creating a space that makes us feel calm. “You don’t have to have a yoga studio or gym in your home to have a space dedicated to wellness, it just means you have a home that makes you feel calm and that you love spending time in,” says interior designer Mariah Burton from Folk Studio. Luckily, there are plenty of tweaks we can make to bring a sense of tranquillity into the home. Below, Mariah shares tips and tricks on how to transform your space into a place of serenity. 1DEDICATEE A ROOM If you have the space, designating a wellness room within your home can offer an escape from the hustle and…

MEMORY BITES Airs Mon. 7:30pm on SBS Food and SBS On Demand. The past meets the present in Matt Moran’s deliciously compelling new food series, Memory Bites. The show sees renowned chef and host Matt inviting some famous Aussies over to share life stories while enjoying dishes from their childhood. Ahead of his trip down memory lane, New Idea sat down with Matt, 55, to found out what it’s like heading back in time… This is such a great concept for a TV series. Where did the idea come from? During COVID I did a YouTube series called Kitchen Tales. Friends, people that I knew, or even people I didn’t know, would come to my house and they would tell me a little bit about their food memory – and…

Kevin Costner has jumped back in the dating saddle – but the recently divorced Yellowstone star isn’t looking to be tied down anytime soon! According to a RadarOnline report, the 70-year-old movie star is “acting like a bachelor in their twenties” by indulging in a string of no-stringsattached dates. “He doesn’t want anything serious, not for now,” the source added. The single star’s dating spree comes after his messy 2024 divorce from ex-wife Christine Baumgartner, who’s now engaged to Kevin’s former pal, financier Josh Connor. The actor is now said to be dating “up a storm” with numerous attractive and high-profile women – including a recent flirt-fest with Jennifer Lopez at an A-list party in Aspen. He’s also been linked to singer Jewel. The source added: “There are plenty of…

Fans of Nine’s Today were none too happy when sports presenter Alex Cullen was let go from the show. Now there’s seemingly a backlash over his replacement Danika Mason. “It’s just not the same without Alex,” griped one, while another said, “[Nine] lost a good sports reporter.” Alex, 44, left Today shortly after accepting $50,000 from The Block’s billionaire bidder Adrian Portelli, although the funds were destined for charity. While Danika , 34, is a widely respected sports reporter, some diehard Alex supporters are taking time to get used to the change.…

In the list of dangerous creatures inhabiting our shores, the blue-ringed octopus doesn’t get much of a look in. But with a recent increase in stings and hospitalisations, including Sydneysider Jaun-Paul Kalman just last month, it’s something victims and experts are warning people to be more aware of. Father-of-two Jaun was swimming at Balmoral, a popular beach in Sydney’s North Shore on February 5, when he saw an octopus latched onto his thumb. Paralysis soon took over his entire body. He was rushed to hospital and placed into an induced coma. As one of the most venomous sea creatures in the world, the blue-ringed octopus contains enough venom to kill 26 adults within minutes. Terrifyingly, they are found across Australia’s East Coast in tidal pools and reefs. They also live…

Jamie and Dave have long been one of Married At First Sight’s most rock-solid couples – just a week ago Jamie, 29, was telling the other girls that she wants to start a family with him! “I want to have a bunch of his little babies” she told fellow bride Beth on the first night of the retreat, adding she had “never felt like this before”. But, things take a sudden and shocking downturn in episodes to air this week – after account manager Jamie tells Dave she loves him; she’s blindsided when he doesn’t reciprocate. “Jamie has always worn her heart on her sleeve, but she didn’t want to rush in to telling Dave how she was feeling,” a MAFS insider tells New Idea, saying she was devastated when…

Julia Roberts has been basking in the glow of a triumphant week. As if being honoured at the César Awards in Paris wasn’t enough, the actress was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government. Not bad for a lanky kid from a small town in Georgia! But there was one glaring absence amid the throng of well-wishers in the European setting. Julia’s husband, Danny Moder, was nowhere to be seen – again. As a result, Julia, 57, was left to walk the César red carpet alone, celebrating the honour with her Closer co-star, Clive Owen, instead of her partner of 22 years. “Everyone’s gotten used to Julia flying solo, but this was a big deal and it was kind of sad Danny wasn’t…

Kate Hudson is raising a glass... to herself ! On February 24, the actress and singer was seen in high spirits as she and her fiancé, Danny Fujikawa, arrived back at their New York City digs after a night of celebrating. Earlier in the evening, Kate, 45, had performed a gig in Downtown Manhattan to raise money for charity. The intimate show was rapturously received by Kate’s star guests, including her mum Goldie Hawn and stepdad Kurt Russell. “She seemed to be having the best time,” an onlooker told New Idea. Kate released her solo album last year. A few days after the gig, Kate’s new comedy show, Running Point, debuted on Netflix, reminding us all just how charismatic she is on screen. No wonder she’s in the mood to…

Butch Patrick, forever loved as Eddie Munster from The Munsters, says the classic sitcom remains the ultimate highlight in a career spanning almost 65 years. “I loved the show while we were making it, and six decades after it ended its original run, the memories remain undimmed,” Butch shares with New Idea in an exclusive chat from his home in Conway, Arkansas. Running from 1964 until 1966, The Munsters was the higher-rated rival to The Addams Family. The characters were based around the classic Universal Studios movie monsters. Butch, whose real name is Patrick Lilley, was 11 when he signed on to play werewolf Eddie, the only son of Herman and Lily Munster (played by Fred Gwynne and Yvonne De Carlo). “There were about 500 kids who tried out for…

Biscoff Choc Mocha Biscuit Log SERVES 8-10 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 1 litre (4 cups) thickened cream ■ 80g dark chocolate, chopped ■ 1 cup Smooth Biscoff Spread ■ 2 tblsps instant coffee granules ■ 250g packet Milk Coffee biscuits ■ Crushed Biscoff biscuits and fresh strawberries, to decorate 1 To start chocolate ganache, combine ¼ cup of the cream with chocolate and ⅓ cup of the Biscoff in a medium heatproof bowl. Sit bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl and cool slightly. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until cool. 2 Dissolve coffee in ½ cup boiling water in a heatproof jug. Transfer to a shallow dish. 3 To make Biscoff cream. Beat 2½ cups of the cream and…

FRESH PRINTS As a nod to the stylish ’70s, match earthy greens with natural brown tones. Complete your look with a pair of retro frames. CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE Pair deep shades of brown with suede textures for an effortless, chic autumn look. Accessorise with simple gold jewellery for a minimalist luxe touch. DENIM DAZE Soft shades of cream pair perfectly with rich denim hues. Try a Western ankle boot in a lighter tone to brighten up an outfit. Compiled by Stephanie De Nobile. Stockists: billini.com, hm.com/au, kmart.com.au, au.lespecs.com, marksandspencer.com/au, next.com.au/en, sussan.com.au, zara.com/au…

Are you planning to downsize your garden? If you can’t bear the thought of leaving your favourite big trees behind, there is a simple solution. You can swap them for smaller, more compact types that will provide similar colour, shape and beauty, and will fit neatly into your new scaled-down backyard. We’ve rounded up the best compact plants suitable for smaller spaces. This article originally appeared on bhg.com.au. 1EUCALYPTS These tall natives tend to tower over and invade a little backyard, but you can choose small-scale eucalypt cultivars that are the perfect size for a limited landscape. EUCALYPTUS (SUMMER BEAUTY): Hybrid gum trees like the eucalyptus Summer Red and Summer Beauty varieties are ideal for gardens with restricted space. They will both grow up to 5m, but can be pruned…

New Idea NEWIDEA.COM.AU NEWIDEA@AREMEDIA.COM.AU GPO BOX 4088, SYDNEY, NSW 2001 (02) 9282 8000 FACEBOOK.COM/ NEWIDEAMAGAZINE @NEWIDEAMAGAZINE @NEWIDEAMAGAZINE EDITORIAL Editorial Director Erin Holohan, Editor Karleigh Smith, Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin, Art Director Sarah Hadnam, Picture Editor Matthew Mackay ARE MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Jane Huxley, Director of Sales Andrew Cook, Director of Content Sally Eagle, General Manager Entertainment Susan Armstrong, Commercial Brand Manager Jessica Ashworth, Director of Marketing Carly Bowra Subscription enquiries: Customer Service 136 116 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm AEST) International +61 2 9692 3535 Email magshop@magshop.com.auWebsite www.magshop.com.au Advertising enquiries: advertising@aremedia.com.auPublished by Are Media Pty Limited (ABN 18 053 273 546), 54-58 Park Street, Sydney, NSW 2000. ©2025. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission. New Idea is a registered…

For weeks, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been dropping adorable pictures and videos of her rarely seen children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, as she promotes her new lifestyle brand and Netflix show. Lili, in particular, has been front and centre, with an image of the three-year-old splashed across Meghan’s ritzy new As Ever website (though it has since been removed). Archie, five, has been heard in the background of his mum’s social media posts since her return to Instagram in January. And while the kids don’t appear personally in With Love, Meghan, which was released to streaming last week, the duchess refers to them several times across the series. In episode two, Meghan shows her friend, actress Mindy Kaling, how to throw the perfect children’s party – with actual…

Two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman was remembered as “generous performer” and one of the all-time greats during a touching, last-minute tribute at this year’s Oscars. But one title many in Hollywood pray doesn’t get fixed to the late screen legend is ‘murder victim’. With the mystery surrounding the deaths of Gene and his pianist wife Betsy Arakawa stumping investigators, conspiracy theories have emerged suggesting a more sinister plot. While police believe there were no obvious signs of foul play, the authorities were still refusing to rule anything out as New Idea went to press last week. GRISLY DISCOVERY On February 26, Gene, Betsy and one of their three dogs were discovered dead in separate rooms within their secluded Santa Fe home. Police had responded to a neighbour’s call for a…

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that once a movie star is done with her hectic, international promo tour, she’s allowed to shun the spotlight for a well-deserved break. And that’s exactly what Renée Zellweger is doing, now that she’s closed the diary on her press duties for Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Last week, as the rest of the A-list gathered in Los Angeles for the Academy Awards, Renée, 55, opted to remain at home in San Diego, so she could enjoy family time with her rumoured fiancé, Ant Anstead, and his young son Hudson. The trio were seen at a local park kicking around a soccer ball, with Renée doting over five-year-old Hudson during the outing. “Renée clearly has a great relationship with Ant’s little boy,” says a…

Melanoma is often referred to as ‘Australia’s national cancer’, and as another blistering summer comes to an end, it’s important we remember that. The statistics from the Melanoma Institute Australia are terrifying – 16,800 of us will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year. Melanoma is the most common cancer for Australians aged between 20 and 39, and one Aussie dies from the disease every six hours. It is also the second-most common for men after prostate cancer. Nine newsreader Peter Overton knows the numbers all too well – as he’s been one of them. Peter was first diagnosed in November 2020, with a melanoma on his temple being successfully removed. More surgeries have since followed. “I have had five melanoma operations,” Peter, 58, tells New Idea. “The most delicate…

The search is on for the world’s only painting sheep, after he mysteriously disappeared from his art studio last month. Baanksy’s devastated owner, Joanne Lefson, claims the two-year-old sheep was stolen in the middle of the night from her farm sanctuary in Cape Town, South Africa. Employing a team of private investigators and psychics to help track him down, she is now offering a $100,000 reward for his safe return. Joanne, 53, confirmed last week there’s still been no sight of Baanksy after he failed to show up to meet a client from the United Kingdom for a sale. “I cannot believe it was random that it was Baansky taken [from a flock of eight],” Joanne said. “For rustlers to break in and him being the only one stolen from…

Tandoori Lamb Salad SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 30 MINS ■ 2 tblsps tandoori paste ■ 540g packet lamb leg steaks ■ ½ x 270g packet roti ■ 1 baby cos lettuce, trimmed, thickly sliced ■ 1 Lebanese cucumber, thinly sliced ■ 1 small red onion, halved, thinly sliced ■ 1 cup firmly packed fresh mint leaves YOGHURT DRESSING ■ 1⅓ cups Greek yoghurt ■ 2 tblsps mango chutney, plus extra to serve 1 To make yoghurt dressing, combine 1 cup of the yoghurt and chutney in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate, covered. 2 Combine remaining yoghurt, paste and lamb in a medium bowl. Stir until coated. 3 Heat a lightly oiled, large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add rotis in two batches. Cook for…

Chicken BLAT Burgers with Mango Mayonnaise SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 2 x 300g chicken breast fillets, trimmed ■ 1 tblsp Cajun seasoning ■ 1 tblsp olive oil ■ 8 streaky bacon rashers (180g) ■ 4 bread rolls, split ■ Shredded cos lettuce, sliced avocado and sliced tomato, to serve MANGO MAYONNAISE ■ ¾ cup chopped mango (see Tip) ■ ¼ cup whole-egg mayonnaise ■ 1 tblsp finely chopped fresh coriander ■ 1 long green chilli, deseeded, finely chopped 1 To make mayonnaise, process mango in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate, covered, until serving. 2 Toss chicken with seasoning to coat. 3 Heat an oiled, large, nonstick frying pan over a medium heat. Add chicken. Cook for…

Hollywood star Amy Poehler has been open about her journey with sleep apnoea. “Throughout my life, I have been told I snore so loudly that it sounds like I am dying or choking,” she explains in her memoir Yes Please. “I come from a family of snorers, and we all used to record each other to show each other the damning evidence. I am convinced my body is trying to gently strangle me to death.” After a sleep assessment with a doctor, Amy was told that she only received a few minutes of REM sleep at a time and would wake up about 20 to 30 times during the night – and the actress was given a CPAP machine. “It has completely changed my life,” she said in an interview…

When Chris Hemsworth calls a place ‘paradise,’ you know it’s worth a visit. The Aussie superstar jetted off to Lord Howe Island with his family, soaking up the island’s sun-drenched beaches, lush reefs, and world-class beauty. But you don’t need to be a Hollywood A-lister to enjoy this tropical treasure – just a two-hour flight from Australia’s east coast, Lord Howe Island is a dream destination for those craving adventure, relaxation, and natural beauty. A SLICE OF PARADISE Often dubbed ‘Australia’s Hawaii,’ Lord Howe Island is a volcanic gem in the Tasman Sea, perfectly positioned between Australia and New Zealand. This World Heritage-listed wonderland showcases breathtaking landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and an abundance of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. With a visitor cap of just 400 at any time, it’s…

New Idea Book of the week Phoebe Morgan’s page-turning thriller about a holiday gone wrong will leave you questioning how well you know your own friends. Desperate to escape yet another dreary London winter, two couples – Saskia and Theo and their friends Holly and Lucas – jet off to Thailand for the trip of a lifetime. But the quartet have only been in Bangkok for a second before things start going awry. A mix-up with their fancy hotel forces them into a hostel, and Holly’s bag – which has all their passports in it – is briefly stolen before being returned by a solo traveller. Then, as Saskia’s past creeps up on the group, a dead body is found. She, Theo, Holly and Lucas are somehow involved. And while…

New Idea at the OSCARS Isabella Rossellini Wearing blue velvet in honour of her late ex-partner and collaborator David Lynch, the Best Supporting Actress nominee mingled with Laura Dern, Demi Moore and Penélope Cruz. John Mulaney With his glamorous wife, Olivia Munn, as his date, it’s no wonder the comedian looked like the cat that got the cream at the Vanity Fair afterparty. Scarlett Johansson Backstage, Scarlett kept a close eye on her co-presenter June Squibb, who’s starring in the actress’ upcoming directorial debut! Rita Wilson Flying solo for the night, Rita made a beeline for Best Actor nominee Colman Domingo post-ceremony. HOLLYWOOD’S NEW AWESOME FOURSOME Mikey Madison It was a golden night for Anora’s breakout star, who celebrated with fellow acting winners Adrien Brody, Zoe Saldaña and Kieran Culkin.…