Well, it's certainly been an eclectic mix of activities this week. First I got my hands dirty (literally) and learnt how to cook the most delicious Indian food courtesy of Gordon Ramsay's 'teachers' Dipna Anand and the chefs at The Brilliant in Southall.
I can see now why the hot-headed telly chef boasts about their food on his Channel 4 series, never have I cooked – and tasted – such amazing nosh, and helped out by EastEnders actress Kierston Wareing, it certainly made for a different and fun way to learn a new skill. Next stop, Celeb MasterChef!
We may be roasting our nadgers off in the current heatwave, but in the world of panto, Christmas entertainment for the masses is already gearing up. Yes, you have full permission to give me stink eye for mentioning the 'C' word this early in the year, but for the lucrative business of the hundreds of nationwide pantomines, the hard work starts now.
This year I'm chuffed to be treading the boards for my twelfth year, this time in Reading at the legendary Hexagon Theatre. Starring as Cinders alongside Strictly's 'hairy biker' Dave Myers, Britain's Got Talent impressionist Jon Clegg, and panto stalwart Liza Goddard, the show certainly is gearing up to be a festive fiesta. The cast is complete, the press day is in the bag, now all we need to do is reconvene in late November and before you can say 'oh no it isn't', panto will be back!
Congratulations are in store for my pal Tom Daley, who this week was crowned Attitude magazine's sexiest man in the world for the second year running.
Celebrating his popularity with a rather racy front covershoot, the diving star was sadly unable to make the bash at London's Paramount restaurant due to overseas training commitments. Good job our fellow Splash! star - TOWIE's Dan Osborne - was on hand to receive his award for coming a respectable fifth in the Top 100 poll.
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Attending the event with his new ladyfriend, EastEnders' Jacqueline Jossa, the hunky reality star cut a fine physique in a simple yet classy outfit of white shirt and figure-hugging trousers. Well done lads, as a pal and former diving colleague of you both, I'm like a proud sister!
Speaking of Dan, it was great to catch up with him and the rest of the ITV on-screen contingent at the annual ITV Summer Party. Held in swanky Notting Hill, the great and the good of telly talent donned their finest and embarked on an evening of catching up, gossip and a li'l bit of after-hours partying thrown in for good measure.
Piers Morgan, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Mulhern (random!) chatted together over their pea risotto, the cast of Downton Abbey caused the most 'rubber necking', and telly therapists The Speakmans did the rounds 'curing' celebs of their hang ups like a 'confessional' rush hour.
Now, as a counsellor myself, I have watched this new series of curing anxiety disorders and phobias with great interest and skepticism. However, ten minutes of chatting candidly with the husband and wife team genuinely left me feeling 'free-er' than I have in years! Whatever your thoughts on 'Nik and Eva', I can genuinely say they are the most lovely, dedicated and honest people I have ever met... verdict – I'm a fan!
And the biggest showbiz news of the week has to be that Cheryl Cole is no longer young, free and single. OK, Chezza is still young, but free and single she ain't no more - and she's no longer Cheryl Cole, either.
Shocking the world's media, the returning X Factor judge announced via social media that she has wed her boyfriend of three months, Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini. The French restaurateur and his popstar wife tied the knot on the beautiful island of Mustique with only four guests present, including Cheryl's mum and PA, at the beginning of the month.
Many have leapt to criticize the speed of the nuptials, however with Cheryl said to be 'happier than ever', surely its no-one's business to cast opinion on what is deemed 'right' for a relationship. I don't profess to be a particular Chezza fan, however, with the amount of high-profile humiliation the lass has had to endure in recent years, it's about time she had something to be happy about. Good for you love, life is worth living, go for it!
And finally, thanks for all your support and comments following my appearance on This Morning earlier this week. It was great to be back on screen with Eamonn and Ruth, and, fingers crossed, lots more to come.
