New Idea magazine subscription

Her most famous and enduring tune is ‘Shout’ – but for decades, British pop icon Lulu was hiding a secret she told no-one about. “For me, [alcohol] was controllable until I got into my sixties,” Lulu, now 76, told The Times in an in-depth interview. “After I became menopausal, with both my parents gone, the empty nest, I became more and more reliant on it. For many years I had not been happy with the way I felt, and [yet] unable to ask for help.” Lulu – born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie – grew up in a rough part of Glasgow. She witnessed domestic violence and alcohol abuse at home, but escaped, aged just 15, when ‘Shout’ became a huge hit. “I’ve never spoken about the alcohol before,” Lulu also…

Although casting is now open for The Block, some vocal fans are calling for more than just new Blockheads in 2026. According to a busy thread on social media site Reddit, a judging panel shake-up is what’s required, with many expressing frustration over what they perceive to be Shaynna Blaze’s harsh critiques. “Why does she focus on crap that can be changed in three seconds?” said one user. “It’s time to refresh the judges’ line-up,” said another. Meanwhile, some viewers are suggesting that Foreman Dan’s wife Dani Reilly would be a welcome addition. “I think Dani would make a great judge!” one wrote on social media. Dani has a segment on the show called ‘Dan vs Dani’, where the pair comment on the contestants’ rooms. Her views have clearly resonated…

When Denise Richards called time on her four-year marriage to Charlie Sheen in 2006, their split was toxic. But now, almost 20 years later, they appeared to be the best of friends as they hit the red carpet for the LA premiere of Charlie’s Netflix documentary aka Charlie Sheen together. “They looked very close,” an onlooker told New Idea. “They shared several hugs, whispered together and enjoyed some laughs. They looked more like a couple than ex-husband and wife.” Despite the nastiness that went down during and after their divorce – which included a protracted custody battle over their daughters Sami and Lola – in recent years, relations between Charlie, 60, and Denise, 54, have slowly thawed. In fact, Charlie’s proving to be a rock for Denise as she goes…

Twenty years on from her big Australian Idol win, Kate DeAraugo is finally in a good place, personally and professionally. The singer, 39, is about to embark on an anniversary tour, From Idol Till Now, in which she will perform some of her favourite songs, including tunes from Idol and her hits with the Young Divas. Kate, now married and a mum of two, is proudly seven years sober from the crystal meth drug addiction that almost cost her everything. “Do I blame winning Australian Idol for my drug addiction?” Kate pondered a recent TikTok post. “I will say that it probably gave me the means to use way more drugs and create a bigger habit quicker than I would have – had I just been a normal 18-year-old doing…

You’d think that after taking eight years to finally settle their bitter divorce, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie would be finally done with the drama. But New Idea can report that yet another row is potentially brewing between Ange, 50, and Brad, 61. Last week, reps from Brad’s production company Plan B announced his intention to expand the business into the UK, where he will be opening an office in London. “The only problem is, Ange has long made it clear to everyone in Hollywood that she would be moving to London as soon as [the twins] Knox and Vivienne turn 18 next year,” our source reveals. “For the past few years she’s been all over Europe looking for the right spot and almost settled on Portugal – but London…

Despite finalising her divorce from Ben Affleck earlier this year, Jennifer Lopez is still on very good terms with his kids. The pop queen, 56, was spotted on a shopping trip in Los Angeles’ Westfield Century City mall last week – accompanied by Ben’s youngest child, Samuel, 13. The duo grabbed a bite to eat together and then checked out a shoe store, as well as some of the high-end fashion in the Balenciaga boutique. After the outing, the pair left the ritzy shopping strip in an SUV together. “She’s a great mum and always gave Ben’s kids the same love,” a source close to J.Lo told People. “Even though her contact with Ben is now more sporadic, they make sure the kids can spend time together whenever they want.”…

It shouldn’t have come to much surprise for Erin Patterson last week, when a judge sentenced her to life in jail for the horrific murders of her three relatives, and the attempted murder of a fourth, during a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms in 2023. Patterson, 50, sat in the dock, largely emotionless, eyes closed, meditating, while Victorian Supreme Court Justice Christopher Beale slammed her actions, describing her as a serial liar and a person with no remorse. He also made reference to her two children. “You inflicted untold suffering on your own children, whom you robbed of their beloved grandparents,” he told her. Justice Beale sentenced Patterson to 25 years in prison for the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, and life, with a non-parole period of 33 years,…

Allison Langdon’s electric chemistry with Sunrise’s Matt Shirvington at a recent industry event has sparked whispers they could become breakfast TV’s next dream team. Ally and Shirvo joined forces on September 2, to host a showcase of Australia’s free commercial television networks at Parliament House in Canberra. There to represent Channel Nine and Channel Seven respectively, they were also joined by a third host, Network 10’s Julia Morris. After their official duties were over, Ally and Shirvo, who she dubbed “brilliant” on Instagram while posting about the event, were seen chatting animatedly backstage alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “Ally and Matt bounced off each other seamlessly … as though they’d been working together for years,” a well-placed TV source tells New Idea. They also claim cogs are now “quietly”…

End-of-year shake-ups are already happening at Channel Nine, with Weekend Today host Clint Stanaway leaving the network – and TV – to focus on his radio career. Clint, 42, announced the news on his Melbourne breakfast Nova radio show Jase & Lauren, where he is the newsreader. He explained that it was a “really tough decision” to make after nearly 25 years at Nine. “I’m relieved, because I’ve been thinking about it for a while now,” Clint shared. “I needed to make a decision, because looking back on how I was feeling and where my head was at, I was burnt out. “I walked into Channel Nine in January 2001 as an 18-year-old.” Adding that he felt overwhelmed and “emotional” about tending his resignation, Clint said it was ultimately necessary…