AS we've had some freezing cold weather recently with snow and biting winds and working out in it all day in my manual, outdoor day job, Val and I have had some lovely nights staying right here at home.

Although it's nice to go out for date nights to restaurants, bars, cinema and theatre, we can have just as good an evening staying in our own living room as we can do going out somewhere else and this terrible weather is the perfect excuse for us to do so.

With the heating turned up, a bottle of prosecco, some nibbles and a good film, we've ignored the freezing outside, snuggled up and settled down for some great evenings.

With a little effort, sometimes staying in really can be the new going out!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and this year we've decided to stay home and have a candlelit, home-cooked meal with a bottle of bubbly and a romantic film or 'chick flick', as Val calls them.

I've read all your lovely comments from last week's column ­— thank you so much for those ­— and I've noted that you want to attend one of my singing concerts.

We didn't put on our usual Christmas concert Croon Into Christmas last year as I was so busy performing at lots of other events, such as the Christmas lights events around Trafford and Christmas events organised by others, we simply didn't have the time to organise and put on a show of our own.

However, I can let you know that Val has been quietly starting to plan a show for this year and I will let you know all the details when it is arranged.

As well as our annual Croon into Christmas, we might even be swinging into spring!

Although I am totally focussing on my acting career, I will still be performing my Rat Pack swing, just perhaps not as regularly as in previous years as I let acting take the front seat for a while.

I'm also looking forward to the brighter weather when I'll be performing at a few festivals around Trafford in the spring and summer this year.

Take care, keep warm and see you all next week.