The Hour

Far from the doom and gloom of my last couple of blogs, I am pleased to say I have given myself a shake and I am feeling much more positive. Hurrah!

The tests I had to undergo at the hospital went well… apart from - you guessed it - the bone marrow removal.

I have to apologise to Doctor Dave, whose heroic attempt to withdraw the bone marrow should not go unrecognised, but it was not pleasant and didn’t exactly go to plan.

However, I survived, and so did Dave (I think), and I am now on the drugs trial and coping well.

The trial has given me something positive to work towards and I will be interested to see the results.

Suddenly I feel alive again and it’s a very nice feeling indeed.

It may also be in part because it’s coming up to my favourite time of year, Christmas.

I know, I know, it’s only October but I love the festive feeling that starts to creep in and the buzz around the office of organising the Christmas party.

I have always been a fan of Christmas but it means so much to me now, I am determined to make the most of it.

More on Christmas plans in the forthcoming blogs, but for now, I will stop terrifying people by telling them it’s only 66 sleeps to go.

This week, I have yet again been working on The X Factor. Gamu stories have been replaced with the pantomime that is Cher Lloyd and Katie Waissel.

Is it just me, or does this year’s X Factor house seem like a horrible place to be? Forget that it’s a luxury mansion in a stunning location: it just seems to have a really negative atmosphere.

According to reports (me being one of the ones reporting), most of the contestants just bicker and backstab and don’t seem to appreciate the massive opportunity they have been given.

I have written about the show for the past few years, but I don’t ever remember it being as bitchy? Maybe I have selective memory, but in previous years there seemed to be a real camaraderie between the different categories where as now, all they want to do is claw each others false eye-lashes off.

It’s all great for my job and keeps me very busy but I feel slightly sad that the hunger-for-fame seems to overshadow any talent this year (of which, I’m not even sure there’s that much).

My favourites so far are Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle and Mary Byrne. Mary was a real shock to me as my first thought was she was more Britain’s Got Talent than X, but, pardon the pun, there really is something about Mary.

I also love Wagner or Vvvvvvagner as it’s pronounced. He is hilarious and although I don’t think he should win, he really does make me smile. Have you seen this spoof video of the man himself and Stephen Fry? It's well worth a watch.

My humble opinion on the great Cher v Katie debate? I actually quite liked Katie’s style – me and Alex Reid were the only two apparently – as at least she was trying to stand out and be a little different. Of course, it was immediately portrayed as being ‘try hard’ but I really despise how the Great British public shoot people down who actually make an effort and appear to be a little different. Yes, she comes across as egotistical and very drama’ school’ and she isn’t the best singer, but to criticise her for already having a record deal and being on an MTV show? I think that merely shows ambition. But who am I?

As for Cher? Well rap ain’t really my thing but again, at least she’s pursuing something she enjoys. I do wish they would scrub off some of her foundation though as she’s so pretty underneath. As one who dresses like Bowie on acid when I play gigs, it takes a lot for me to say that.

Aside from X Factor, I wrote up a piece on Liz Hurley’s visit to Glasgow for the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign. Liz lost her grandmother to the disease and now lends her support to the charity, travelling across the world to spread the world that if breast cancer is caught early enough, it can be cured.

She told STV’s showbiz reporter Grant Lauchlan: “We want to tell everyone that breast cancer is 98% curable if found early – found early being the key words.

“So we want everyone to tell their friends, their mothers and their colleagues to check their own breasts every month and if they notice any changes, go straight to their doctor.”

She looked stunning in a pink, figure-hugging dress and Grant and the boys in the office who edited the video, certainly gave her their seal of approval. I think the phrase ‘yummy mummy’ was invented for Liz.

She turned Frasers in Glasgow pink for the evening and brought a touch of glamour to the city for a worthwhile cause. It was a powerful message and one that has certainly stuck with me.

You can email me at laura.boyd@stv.tv As always, it is lovely to hear from you.