What the Kiwi gossip mags say

BY CHRIS SCHULZ

For Kiwi rocker Jon Stevens, the thin scar running down the middle of his chest is a constant reminder of the day he could have died.

Stevens, the brother of New Zealand Idol judge Frankie Stevens, recently spent a month in hospital recovering from open-heart surgery following a CAT scan that showed the former INXS front man could have died at any minute.

The "shocked" singer and former Treasure Island presenter tells New Idea he won't be doing any rock 'n' rolling for a while.

"I can't drink, smoke or do anything 'rock 'n' roll-ish," Stevens, 48, says. "I've got to be mindful of my health ... I'm 20 years too young to go through this.

"It was a bit rough there for a bit. They found my main artery was almost completely blocked. Basically, if I'd lifted a box or exerted myself, I would have died there and then."

Lucky he wasn't moving house, then. But Stevens - who was just 15 when he lost his father to a heart attack - tells NI he's giving up performing for a while as he recovers and spends time with his family.

"I want to spend the second half of my life with my family. I want to see my kids grow up ... I'm so happy to be out and alive. I'm also happy to have lost nine kilos."

Forget about "sexercise" - open heart surgery could be Joe Cotton's next weight loss regime.

There are plenty of other Kiwi stars hitting the headlines in Woman's Weekly. Shortland Street star Michael Galvin confirms he's split from Melissa Dines, his wife of five years; Comedian Dave Fane marries his partner of 15 years, Bronwyn Bradley; and Hilary Barry cooks up some lunch.

It's easy to pick which of the three is the most important story: Barry's lunch menu. For the record, the TV3 newsreader dished up thyme chicken salad, spinach and feta tarts and roast potatoes with lemon-syrup cake to support something called "Lunching for Leukaemia".

"As I get older I think more about how my own life might end," a contemplative Barry tells WW. More cake, anyone?

Elsewhere, Woman's Day reports that Kiwi ex-pat presenter Kelly-Swanson Roe and her know-it-all psychologist husband John Aiken are expecting a baby - their first.

It's something of a relief for the Australian-based Roe, who suffered from endometriosis, had procedures to remove CIN 3 cancer cells in her '20s and also had bouts of - ahem - Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

It's been more than a year, but they're still getting rid of the smell from TV3's news studio.

"I've wanted a baby ever since I can remember," Roe tells WD. "They say there's never a perfect time and there isn't ... I think you have a baby for a reason and for me it's to nurture and bring up that little soul as best as I can."

Let's hope he or she inherits Aiken's digestive system.

Finally, the quote of the week comes from John Stamos, who has finally admitted he was drunk during a 2007 appearance on an Australian TV show: "I'll be honest: When I went on that morning show I was drunk. Yes, I was on sleeping pills and I was jet-lagged, but I was also just plastered.

A little honesty goes a long way. A little bourbon goes a long way too, especially when you're jet lagged.

* What do you think of the stars in this week's gossip mags? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News