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LOVE IS IN THE AIR It’s been a big few weeks for former Sunrise star Mark Beretta. In amongst filming his final episode at Brekky Central on December 12, he also revealed he has found love again, following the end of his marriage to ex-wife, Rachel, in 2023. On December 9, Mark, 59, was seen enjoying a romantic stroll with his new girlfriend, Renata Hickson. The pair put on an intimate display as they walked around the Sydney suburb of Balmoral. A source tells New Idea they looked “very loved up”. Joining Mark and Renata on their amble was her dog. Prior to their outing, Mark gave an interview in which he expanded on his departure from Sunrise after 22 years, and teased he was in a new relationship with…

He’s rarely been seen in public in recent years, but British stage and sitcom actor Michael Crawford came out of seclusion to attend the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington DC. The Phantom of the Opera and Some Mother’s Do ’Ave ’Em sitcom star was awarded a medallion by Donald Trump in honour of his influence on American culture and the arts. The US president is a huge fan of Michael’s performance in the original Andrew Lloyd Webber musical production of Phantom, in which Michael played the lead role. Afterwards, Michael, 83, said the event was “extraordinary”. He added, “To hear your own voice coming through and you’re in the White House was quite amazing.” The retiree was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, and moved to New Zealand to aid his…

Helen Mirren has addressed reports of a conflict on set between her and fellow MobLand co-star Tom Hardy. Recently, headlines emerged claiming that Helen, 80, had gotten “increasingly frustrated” at Tom for his alleged lateness and attitude while filming the second season of the gangster series. However, Helen was quick to shut down the rumours with a gushing post on Instagram! The actress shared a red carpet image of Tom, 48, and said that she loves his “brilliance, dedication, good heart and Hardy Hugs”. She added that she loves Christmas too! Helen uploaded the post and used the caption “And now you know!” – a clear attempt to silence the feud rumours.…

Fatherhood is on its way for Justin Theroux. The 54-year-old actor is expecting his first child with his wife, Nicole Brydon Bloom. The couple quietly married in March this year, seven years after Justin’s divorce from Jennifer Aniston. Although they haven’t publicly spoken about their pregnancy, a source close to the couple confirmed the happy news to People magazine. Actress Nicole, 31, was also sporting a just-visible baby bump when she and Justin attended a Prime Video event in Los Angeles last week.…

Isla Fisher paid an emotional tribute to late British author Sophie Kinsella, who passed away aged 55 last week, after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2022. Isla, 49, starred in the 2009 adaptation of Sophie’s bestselling book series of a Shopaholic, and became close to Sophie. “I was lucky enough to speak your witty and brilliant words,” Isla wrote on Instagram in a letter to Sophie. “My heart is broken. You are still my hero and I’m grateful for you.” Sophie, whose real name was Madeleine Wickham, wrote more than 30 books during her career, under both monikers, but it was the Shopaholic series that made her a star. She is survived by her husband, Henry, and their five kids. “Though we won’t meet again, your light and magic…

Since finding fame – and love – on The Bachelor in 2013, Tim Robards has become a regular fixture on our TV screens. But Tim, 43, recently revealed that he and wife, Anna, are considering leaving Australia for the US, in order for him to be taken seriously as an actor. “The US has been pretty open to me,” Tim told The Daily Telegraph. “I’ve come really close to a lot of US things, but it’s kind of getting the Aussies on board, because they know me as the Bachelor.” While Tim has appeared on local reality TV shows, including I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, Dancing with the Stars and Australian Ninja Warrior – and had a regular role on Neighbours – translating that into more…

Matthew McConaughey’s seemingly perfect marriage to Camila Alves is going through a rocky patch, thanks to his thrill-seeking appetite for high-octane movie stunts, with friends saying his wife is terrified he’ll end up in the ER again. “Camila is frustrated that Matthew won’t use stunt doubles,” a source tells New Idea. “She doesn’t understand why he takes any unnecessary risks when they’re raising three kids.” Last week, Matthew, 56, was on the Hot Ones YouTube show and recounted an injury he sustained making Reign of Fire, after jumping into a tunnel and hearing a “pop” in his knee. “That was a silly injury,” Matthew admitted. “I’m still fully committed to performing my own stunts, as long as my films’ insurance will permit it.” Friends say the admission has brought the…

It’s Erin Patterson’s first Christmas since she was convicted of triple murder and, in her new home at the notorious Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, she will not be experiencing the creature comforts of previous, carefree Christmases. Far from being an occasion of joy, Patterson, 51, will spend the day alone at the maximum security women’s prison in Melbourne, in the solitary confinement judged to be for her safety. It means that, even on Christmas Day, Patterson will have little access to fresh air, will have her lunch delivered through a trap door, and next to zero opportunity to communicate with others. She also won’t be visited by family members because, like in all state public prisons, guests are not allowed at Dame Phyllis Frost on December 25. Institutions explain this…

After seven years of estrangement, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has finally reached out, via a letter, to her sick father, Thomas Markle. But despite her father’s grave health crisis, New Idea hears that Meghan, 44, has no plans to travel to her father’s side – and is “no closer” to fully healing their rift. Recently, Thomas, 81, underwent a leg amputation procedure in a hospital in the Philippines following a life-endangering medical emergency. Thomas moved there this year, from Mexico, and lives with his son, Thomas Jr. Amid all this, Meghan’s husband, the Duke of Sussex, is proving to be an unlikely advocate for forgiveness in the situation. “Prince Harry is actually pushing for Meghan to reconsider her feelings about reconciling with Thomas, on two fronts,” our source explains.…