Second Act Relationships

Last Updated On | 18 Sept 2026

Second Act

I’m a Grief Coach and this is what Practical Magic 2 really teaches us about grief and loss

After tragic loss, grief coach Rachel Hart-Phillips realised Practical Magic’s true curse isn't magic - it’s the fear of loving again.

Why women like Anastacia, 58, get pickier about love in midlife – and that’s actually a good thing

Singer Anastacia revealed on this week's Second Act podcast that her relationship standards are higher than ever - a dating expert weighs in

If you're freaking out about your kids growing up, you need to hear this

Life coach Mhairi Todd talks us through the strange identity shift that can happen when children become more independent

Why Laura Hamilton doesn’t see divorce as the end of her family story

A Place In The Sun's Laura Hamilton talks to Second Act about her co-parenting rules and how she's abandoned people-pleasing in midlife

'My house wasn't empty, I was' - psychotherapists give tips on how to cope with an empty nest

Psychotherapists and women who have been through it – including celebrities – share their advice for easing the pain of an empty nest as teens move out to university

Laura Hamilton: 'I want my kids to see a healthy relationship'

A Place In The Sun presenter Laura Hamilton opens up about moving on from divorce, co-parenting challenges and how trolling affected her life

My relationship with my ex-husband's family has turned toxic and it's getting me down

Divorce drama is the hot topic of conversation today for menopause campaigner and HELLO! agony aunt Mariella Frostrup.

Sarah Beeny: I'm 'in denial' about my sons leaving home - but there's one thing I'll do to cope

TV presenter and entrepreneur Sarah Beeny on the dirty new hobby she shares with Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley as she gears up for an empty nest

Empty nester Caroline Quentin on the unexpected joy of "dating" her husband again

Caroline Quentin tells Second Act's Ateh Jewel how she is enjoying rekindling romance with her age-gap husband after missing out first time around

‘I never felt the need to do what’s expected of me’ - Deborah Meaden on breaking the rules and choosing a childfree life

Deborah Meaden opens up about misogyny in the workplace, the secrets of her 40 year relationship and backlash she received for not having children

Drew Barrymore just sparked the conversation midlife single women needed

Let’s be honest for a second: when was the last time someone told you that being single in midlife is actually... kind of amazing? Drew Barrymore thinks so.

Katie Derham’s husband proposed the night they met – and she thought he was joking

Presenter Katie Derham opens up about finding love at first sight, the impact of her mother’s early onset Alzheimer's, and sharing a passion for music with The King

I'm back dating after divorce – why are midlife men only after one thing?

HELLO!'s agony aunt Mariella Frostrup shares her advice for dating in midlife - and explains why apps might not be the best place to find love

I love my partner – but I don't want to spend every spare minute together

A reader asks Mariella how she can protect her need for space without upsetting her loving partner

Andi Oliver: 'My daughter Miquita saved my life after my brother died'

Celebrity chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver opens up about recovering from a breakdown and eating disorder, how daughter Miquita saved her life and supporting Lily Allen through divorce

The 7 types of friend every woman needs in her 40s and 50s

Midlife is a team sport. Jo Hoare counts down the mdlife mates every woman needs in her arsenal to survive with her sanity - and eyebrows - intact.

Kate Wills: 'What Victoria Beckham's no-show at Mel C's wedding reveals about midlife friendships'

When Posh missed Sporty's wedding, the tabloids cried feud. But for any woman who has ever agonised over an RSVP, Victoria’s no-show felt surprisingly familiar to Kate Wills...

How Love Island helped me teach my daughter about consent and relationship red flags

Everyone says Love Island is trash - but Anniki Sommerville is using it to teach her daughter the red flags she wish she'd spotted in her younger days.

Why midlife's secret superpower is the one nobody thinks they want

Becoming invisible in midlife may feel uncomfortable at first - but author Emma Straub says it can be a secret weapon to live a life you love

The 5 questions to ask if you want your marriage to last

Masterchef star Nisha Katona reveals the death and rebirth behind her own 25 year marriage and why love language is everything

The midlife divorce dilemma: How do you know whether to stay or go?

Expert Kate Daly helps us unpack the stigma and overwhelm around divorce, separation and starting all over again

'It is so important to have female friends who we can talk to about menopause'

FRIENDSHIPS

Jane Green: How I knew it was time to end my marriage after 18 years

Bestselling author Jane Green opens up about the shame she felt of living a lie, ending her marriage and coming out as bisexual in her second act

The Rivals finale gave midlife women permission to prioritise themselves and I’ve never seen a reaction quite like it

Why that heartbreaking Rivals scene has us all vowing to ‘Live Like Blazes’. Writer Rose Gallagher on why that shock mid-season ending resonated so deeply...