Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 6, 2025 i New Idea

While my husband and I rarely go all out for Valentine’s Day, we always like to use February 14 as a reminder to do something nice for ourselves – whether it’s a low-key dinner (he is an excellent cook), or just having a glass of wine, cheese, and spinning a few of our favourite records. Throughout this issue, you’ll find nods to Valentine’s Day, whatever your love language may be. On page 56, we’ve compiled some sweet gift ideas from our friends at The Bradford Exchange, which truly has something for everyone. For the romantic in your life, check out the heart-shaped choccie cupcake recipe on page 46 – they’re the perfect gesture to share with a partner or a group of friends. And if you’re on the hunt for…

He’s had a meteoric rise since being thrust into the spotlight in Season 2 of The White Lotus in 2022. But Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy star Leo Woodall admits fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In a new interview with Elle magazine, the actor laments the expectation to get in shape for roles. “It’s pressure, man,” he says. “I’m someone who, when I’m not working – like at Christmas – just wants to sit at home and get fat. Even with Roxster [his Bridget Jones character], there’s no reason why he should be ripped. I don’t think I am that ripped.” The 28-year-old revealed his favourite pastime is to indulge in “pizza and beer”, and the last thing he wants is to have to hit the…

Hugh’s surprise news has shocked fans. Hugh Jackman has ditched an upcoming London concert at the Hyde Park BST festival. The Greatest Showman star announced on Instagram that an “unforeseen [scheduling] conflict” meant he was “disappointed” to cancel the July show. “This was a stage I truly was looking forward to being on,” Hugh, 56, wrote. A source told New Idea that the star’s “sudden cancellation” is out of character. “It’s not like him to pull out of such a huge show,” adds the insider. The announcement comes after Hugh recently went public with his relationship with Sutton Foster.…

After two seasons accompanying her son to his I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! set in the African jungle, Terri Irwin’s got a fair lay of the land. Insiders say the astute businesswoman has even come up with a few suggestions on how to balance the show’s budget next season – namely, by moving it to one of her properties in Australia! Few know that Terri, 60, is a property magnate outside of Australia Zoo, with one insider speculating her land holdings in Queensland and Tasmania could be worth “northwards of $100 million”. The family, which also includes Bindi Irwin, her husband Chandler and daughter Grace, base themselves at their home within zoo grounds on the Sunshine Coast, and Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve in Cape York, Far North Queensland,…

She may have lived an extraordinary life, widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s pre-eminent actresses, singers and dancers, but for all her fame and fortune Liza Minnelli’s life wasn’t a bed of roses. In new, no-holds-barred documentary, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, the 78-yearold gets candid about her biggest disappointment: never having children. The Oscar winner, who has been married four times – to Peter Allen (1967-1974), Jack Haley Jr. (19741979), Mark Gero (19791992) and David Gest (2002-2007) – revealed she suffered three miscarriages over the years. The first was with her second husband, and two more were with her third spouse. The documentary features footage from an old interview, in which the only child of actress Judy Garland and stage director Vincente Minnelli revealed her burning desire…

Chargrilled Vegetable Bruschetta with Basil Ricotta SERVES 4-6 PREP & COOK 25 MINS ■ 2 small eggplant (600g in total), trimmed, sliced ■ 2 x 175g packets mini capsicums, halved, deseeded ■ 2 small zucchini, thinly sliced ■ 1 tblsp fresh thyme leaves ■ 2 cloves garlic, crushed ■ ¹⁄³ cup olive oil ■ 8 slices sourdough bread ■ 300g fresh ricotta ■ 2 tblsps basil pesto ■ Fresh basil leaves, to garnish 1 Place eggplant, capsicums, zucchini, thyme, garlic and half the oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. 2 Heat a barbecue grill plate over a high heat. Add vegetables. Cook, turning occasionally, for 6 minutes. Remove zucchini and capsicum. Cook eggplant for a further 3 to 4 minutes, or until charred.…

Beef Skewers with Crispy Potatoes and Rocket SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 1kg brushed potatoes, peeled, quartered ■ 2 tblsps vegetable oil ■ 800g thickly sliced sirloin beef steak, trimmed ■ 1 tblsp garlic pepper seasoning ■ 75g baby rocket leaves ■ ½ cup semi-dried tomatoes, drained DRESSING ■ ¼ cup olive oil ■ 2 tblsps wholegrain mustard ■ 2 tblsps balsamic vinegar 1 Boil, steam or microwave potatoes until just tender. Drain well. Pat dry with absorbent kitchen paper. 2 Heat oil in a roasting pan in a very hot oven (220C) for 5 minutes. Remove pan from oven. Add potatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. Return pan to oven. 3 Cook potatoes for about 30 minutes or until golden and crisp, turning…

Asa parent, one of the most significant milestones is when your child begins school. I still remember my own first day – walking down the street with my brother to our local primary school. I was so excited, and felt so grown up in my uniform and shiny new shoes. Although the thrill of school wore off quickly, I always looked forward to the beginning of a new school year and everything that came with it. NEW BEGINNINGS When one of our kids starts school, I always feel a little sad. I miss having them at home with me every day. They suddenly look so grown up, and it hits you that those precious baby years are truly behind you. This year, with Perla starting Prep, the emotions feel different.…

BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY In cinemas Thu. It’s been nine years since we last saw everyone’s favourite singleton, Bridget Jones, as she embarked on a surprise journey to motherhood. After some initial confusion over the paternity, the 43-year-old finally settled down and married Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), who was proved to be baby William’s dad, to Bridget’s relief. But four years have now passed since Mark’s death, and mum-of-two Bridget is juggling solo parenting with her career and trying to put herself back out there on the dating apps. The hot commodity is soon being pursued by the much-younger Roxby ‘Roxster’ McDuff (Leo Woodall) – a free-spirited 29-year-old. “I think it’s nothing new,” Renée says of the age-gap relationship. “But maybe the social taboos are melting away ……

Isla Fisher The Aussie actress wrapped her paws around a ginormous version of her animated co-star at a Dog Man gala screening on London’s West End. Portia de Rossi The Arrested Development star celebrated her 52nd birthday at London’s Chiltern Firehouse with wife Ellen DeGeneres. Robert Pattinson Embracing his most important role to date – being a dad! – the Twilight favourite cooed at his baby daughter, whom he shares with partner Suki Waterhouse. Renée Bargh The TV presenter enjoyed a beach outing with partner Andrew Lange and their son Tide – perhaps their last as a family of three! Greg Norman Swapping the putting green for one of the Seven Wonders, the Aussie golf star nailed this clever shot outside India’s Taj Mahal. Nikki Webster The apple doesn’t fall…

As Karl Stefanovic celebrates his 20th anniversary at Today this month, the TV host has opened up about co-stars past and present – and the one person he’ll never work with. In an interview with Stellar magazine, Karl, 50, spoke about summer fill-in host Samantha Armytage, saying he has “no interest” in working with the former [Abo] ever being replaced,” he said. “And I genuinely have no interest in working with anyone else.” Insiders were quick to assure that Karl’s comment wasn’t a dig at Sam, telling New Idea: “Karl and Sam are good mates away from work – these tonguein-cheek comments Sunrise star. “I don’t see Sarah about his career and his co-workers are pure larrikin Karl.” Despite their currently strained relationship, Karl said he “genuinely adored working with”…

Kate Ritchie is taking an extended break from her Nova breakfast radio show following the emergence of some troubling footage taken on January 29, where she was seen in tears while visiting a Sydney park. The 46-year-old had been noticeably absent since Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie returned to the airwaves for 2025. Last Monday, the mum of one took to Instagram to issue a statement addressing the concerns for her welfare. “I struggle with mental health issues at times, which are deeply personal,” she wrote. “This has proven to be a bigger challenge than I imagined. So, I have decided to take a break … to focus on my health.” She further went on to explain her recent dishevelled state: “This is also a problem many others are…

Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands shocked fans when he announced last week that he has a brain aneurysm – and will undergo emergency brain surgery this month. The star left The Kyle & Jackie O Show viewers in disbelief as he revealed that tests performed on January 31 determined this was the cause of “a lot of headache problems”. “I was told by my medical team – which sounds like I’m already very sick, to have a medical team – that I have a brain aneurysm, and it requires immediate attention, brain surgery,” he explained. “So if you just tuned into us after all these years, lap it up. And if you’re in Melbourne, you’re coming to the party too late. You may get your wish. I may be dead.”…

King Charles is reportedly contemplating cutting the Duke of Sussex out of his will, amid growing concern about the state of his son’s marriage to the Duchess of Sussex. ‘Harry does not deserve a dime’ According to explosive new reports, Charles, 76, is said to feel he has no other choice than to take evasive action to protect the royal family’s $55 billion fortune ahead of the Prince of Wales taking the throne. “A lot of people in royal circles feel Prince Harry does not deserve a dime, and they’re leaning on Charles to cut him off,” a Palace insider tells RadarOnline. “Charles wrote his will long ago, but certain family members and courtiers are strongly urging him to update the document so as not to include Harry.” Charles’ pre-emptive…

THEN NOW Libby Fisher grew up in bushland with kangaroos and koalas as her neighbours. So, when she started taking care of injured wildlife, it felt like second nature. “I remember the first time I pulled a live joey from the pouch of a possum on the side of the road,” Libby, 19, tells New Idea. “Mum was driving my brother and I to school … we spotted the possum that had been hit by a car. We stopped to help and I saved the joey.” The Melbourne teen joined a charity that planted trees to provide the cuddly marsupials with a natural habitat. In the hot summers, she spent her holidays volunteering at Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter in Northern Victoria, where she supported rescued animals. She remembers one summer…

He’s the son of one of Australia’s most famous TV and AFL personalities. But Joe McGuire has stepped out of dad Eddie’s shadow to cement his status as one to watch on the US college football circuit. “When Joe first heard about the opportunity to try out for the US college football system, he had no idea just how cutthroat it can be,” a source close to the family tells New Idea. “He told friends he had wanted to shine in the sporting arena, but he always felt a bit in the shadows of his very famous dad. “He knew he didn’t have the talent to make it all the way to the top of the AFL. This was Joe’s way to finally break away and prove he’s making his…

White Choc Panna Cotta SERVES 4 PREP & COOK 20 MINS ■ 300ml carton pure cream ■ ²⁄³ cup milk ■ 100g white chocolate, chopped ■ ¼ cup caster sugar ■ 1 tsp vanilla bean paste ■ 2 tsps gelatine 1 Heat cream, milk, chocolate, sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan over a medium heat until chocolate has melted and the mixture is hot. Do not boil. Remove. Stand for 5 minutes. 2 Sprinkle gelatine over 2 tblsps water in a small heatproof jug. Stand jug in a small saucepan of simmering water. Stir until gelatine is dissolved. Remove. Stir into cream mixture. 3 Divide mixture evenly among four serving glasses (1¼-cup capacity). Cover. Refrigerate for about 6 hours, or overnight, until set. 4 Serve with rockmelon and passionfruit…

Dreaming of fuller tresses? While hair extensions can provide instant volume, hairstylist to the stars Linda Flowers, recommends going for the chop as “shoulder-length hair looks thicker and denser”. But for those who want to work with what they already have, she shares a few other tricks to get that thicker hair illusion… MAKE WAVES Curling is a great way to create bounce and density, and can also give the hair added motion and texture. “There is such an illusion of more hair with curls,” says Linda. “But for long-lasting and full waves, you’ll need effective products. I like to use my trusted dry shampoo at the roots first to build volume and offer a slight lift to the cuticle, then apply to the rest of the hair for texture…

The ‘King of Gardens’, horticulturist Graham Ross, is celebrating a milestone in 2025 – 30 years on TV series Better Homes and Gardens. Gracing our screens to show us the best in flora and fauna, the 77-year old radio host and television gardening presenter has an immense amount of passion for his job. But, during an exclusive chat with New Idea, Graham reveals he “wasn’t Channel Seven’s first choice [for the show]”. “It was really weird because I was working in their newsroom. In fact, my wife and I were both doing segments for Seven National News, Newsnight and 11AM,” he says. He tells us when he was eventually offered the hosting job on Better Homes and Gardens, he was “easily persuaded”. “We were on our way to the first…

Lily Collins should be in seventh heaven following the news that she and husband Charlie McDowell have welcomed their first child. However, the couple, who have been married for three years, have a faced backlash after revealing they turned to surrogacy to start their family. “Welcome to the centre of our world, Tove Jane McDowell. Words will never express our endless gratitude for our incredible surrogate and everyone who helped us along the way. We love you to the moon and back again…” the couple wrote in a joint Instagram post on February 1. While the comments section was filled with love for the new arrival, there was also plenty of criticism of their use of a surrogate. Film director Charlie, 41 – the son of actors Malcolm McDowell and…

When a date suggested to Mia Ryan that they meet for brunch, she instantly knew this romance would go no further. As a busy horse breeder living on a farm in NSW’s Hunter Valley, Mia’s daily routine left no time for city brunches. And so, another blossoming love story bit the red dust. “Another guy insisted on picking me up for our first date. I warned him that I lived quite a way out of town, but he insisted,” Mia, 23, tells New Idea. “When he arrived at the end of my driveway, he didn’t know how to open the front gate because everything about the countryside was unfamiliar …needless to say, we only went on one date!” Realising other young people living in rural Australia were facing similar challenges…

Golden Gaytime Trifle SERVES 8-10 PREP & COOK 40 MINS ■ 460g packet double unfilled sponge cake, cut into 3cm pieces ■ ¹⁄³ cup butterscotch-flavoured schnapps MALT CHOCOLATE ■ 180g block milk cooking chocolate, broken into pieces ■ 8 Malt ‘O’ Milk biscuits, coarsely crushed TOFFEE CUSTARD ■ 900g tub French vanilla double thick custard ■ ¾ cup Caramel Dulce de Leche (see Tip) ■ ¼ cup malted milk powder VANILLA CREAM ■ 1½ cups milk ■ 2 x 100g packets white mini baking marshmallows ■ 300ml tub thickened cream ■ 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 1 Make malt chocolate by placing chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High (100%) for 45 seconds to 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth and melted. 2 Spread into a 25cm…

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