ON Sunday, I will be giving my last performance of the year at the wonderful Hale Barns Christmas event in the beautiful setting of Holy Angels Church.

I have had to cancel my performance at Altrincham Market, which should have been on December 22, due to other commitments, so I will be signing off the year in style alongside TV’s The Voice singer Scarlett Quigley and the Cheshire Party band, Montage.

The event, hosted by Hale Barns Events Ltd and sponsored by Benchmark Security Group, starts at 7.30pm and it is guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit. Tickets are available online or you can pay on the door.

For further details and ticket info visit halebarnscarnival.co.uk

I was very proud this week to be featured in my former school’s Wall of Fame.

Wellacre Academy in Flixton, has graciously listed me in its celebration of former students. I want to say a huge thank you to Wellacre for this lovely honour. If my story inspires just one student to chase his career choice or whatever dreams he may have, then I will be extremely happy.

Wellacre set me on the right path with key skills that I still use to this day and I am both very grateful to the school and also very proud to call myself a former Wellacre student.

I learned that commitment to my work, good manners and respect always open doors, as well as the vital lesson that hard work always pays off! I have carried these tools with me throughout my career.

I wish all current and future Wellacre pupils every success in their studies and in their future adult lives.

At the weekend Val and I visited the Manchester Christmas Markets for our annual festive tradition of a coffee with whiskey for me and a hot chocolate with Baileys for Val. Not forgetting our bratwurst hotdogs! Despite the huge crowds, we had a great day and even managed to pick up a few Christmas presents!

Join me next week to hear all about the Hale Barns event, or if you’re attending it don’t forget to come and say hello!