It’s been a busy few months since I took over the Drivetime reigns on Smooth Radio and I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing some amazing singers, actors and celebrities, during that time.

This week and next, as one year closes and another begins, I’ll be looking back over ‘the best of the guests,’ and relieving some of my most memorable encounters of 2009.

The utterly charming Natalie Imbruglia popped in to see me a few months back, while she was in town to promote her new album. Natalie is perhaps one of the most naturally beautiful women in the world; hardly a stitch of make-up on and more than 15 years since she graced our screens as Beth in Neighbours, she’s hardly changed a bit!

Many people will remember the transformation Natalie underwent when she left Ramsay Street and chopped her long hair short. She told me: “I’m quite rebellious and I wasn’t allowed to cut my hair while I was on the show, it wasn’t anything apart from, great, now I can get a haircut!”

Natalie assured me she will be back to play live here, in the future saying: “I love Glasgow, there’s no way I would come to Scotland and not gig here.”

From a lovely lady, to a charming gentleman; the extremely charismatic star of stage and screen, John Barrowman. John spoke to me while he was performing in the play, La Cage Aux Folles, in the West End but many of us know him better as Captain Jack in the Dr Who spin-off, Torchwood.

Gay icon John, who was born in Scotland and only moved to America at the age of eight, opened up to me on how he felt about readers of his first autobiography, Anything Goes, using the book to open channels of communication between families on the subject of their own sexuality?

“I had no idea that was going to happen,” said John, “some people gave the book to their parents in order to tell them something and if I can help in that way that’s great, because the one thing that I am adamant about putting across to people is I am absolutely normal.

“But if that can help people I am grateful and honoured to be part of that.”

Recently I enjoyed a good blether with Ewan McGregor’s motorbike mad mate Charley Boorman.

Charley told me that being friends with a megastar like Ewan doesn’t mean anything when you’re in a less familiar part of the world. He said: “In Papua New Guinea, no one knows who you are.

“I think if you go to a country, you’re obliged to have a little bit of knowledge about the customs and stuff like that and if you go in with a big smiling face and positive attitude then people are going to react nicely. I love that.”

Three very different guests, all with funny, interesting and inspiring stories to tell. I hope you can join me next week, when I’ll have a look back at a few more of my 2009 highlights.