The Hour

Last week my life was immersed in all things Britain’s Got Talent. From Spelbound’s stunning performance to street-dance act after street-dance act, I wrote about it all. Street-dance is obviously the ‘in thing’, I must find myself a class.

I kissed goodbye to my social life and signed up to reporting on the shows, working on a live blog during Saturday’s final, which was hectic and chaotic but a great deal of fun.

Amongst the madness of dancing dogs and Janey Cutler’s wobbly but heart-warming performance, I realised I was actually able to forget about having leukaemia – something I haven’t really been able to do since diagnosis.

I was so busy and immersed in work that I felt practically normal again, if slightly more tired after working late nights.

It was a great feeling to be able to work just as I was this time last year, pre-diagnosis.

My body is suffering a little now and I will be on holiday for the next week to recover but on the whole, I am coping well and I am so glad that Britain’s Got Talent helped me push myself for the better. If Janey at 81 years old can get up and perform, the least I can do is write about it!

Some light relief from the world of BGT came in the form of an interview with Scottish actress Elaine C. Smith.

Elaine was in STV promoting the paperback edition of her book, Nothing Like a Dame, and I managed to grab a chat with her.

She was a joy to interview. We chatted for almost an hour on subjects including BBC series The Scheme, her forthcoming role in Calendar Girls and the fact she would be ‘thrilled’ to play Su-Bo. The conversation then turned to leukaemia.

As I have previously mentioned, I am a member of the friends of the Paul O’Gorman charity, raising money for the Paul O’Gorman leukaemia research centre at the Beatson.

In August I will be attending a POG ladies lunch in Oran Mor and the glittering occasion will be hosted by Elaine.

I am looking forward to a good old girls day out with my mum, aunts and friends and I know the hilarious Rab C star will be the perfect charismatic host for the affair.

She explained that her sister had been diagnosed with leukaemia four years ago and that Professor Holyoake, who is also the specialist who treats me, has helped save her life.

Elaine said that her sister had a stem cell transplant and is now recovering well, enjoying an almost normal life including energetic weekend cycling trips.

We both agreed that Professor Holyoake and her team are incredible and we owe so much to their good work.

So the ladies lunch will not be an excuse to glam up and celebrate life, it will raise vital funds so that people like me, and Elaine’s sister, can have hope for the future.

I think it is fantastic when celebrities offer their time and support to charities and Elaine is involved in many including being patron of the Scottish Campaign for Learning and on the board of Zero Tolerance.

The talented Scot told me she doesn’t think of herself as a celebrity but added: “I have had lots of fairy dust given to me in my life and you’ve got to spread that about.”

I think that is such a lovely way to put it.

This weekend I will be heading to RockNess with my band and also playing in Kelvingrove Park on Sunday afternoon as part of the West End festival. I am hoping to channel a little touch of Janey Cutler’s charm combined with a sprinkling of Elaine’s fairy dust to give a magical performance… life is great at the moment.

You can email me at laura.boyd@stv.tv