I’M writing this column, holed up in my flat in Shawlands, as Scotland finds itself in the middle of a red alert weather warning. 

Now for those of you that don’t know what a red weather warning means, allow me to explain. 

Well, according to the internet, a red warning means extreme weather is expected, with people urged to take immediate action to keep themselves and others safe from the impact of the weather. 

So pretty serious I’m sure you’ll agree! 

And it’s the first time a red alert for snow has ever been issued in Scotland, and only the second time anywhere in the UK.

Now I’ll be completely honest with you all – when I heard everyone talking about this so called ‘Beast From The East’ on the news, I initially thought they were talking about my pal and STV’s Late Show host Ewen Cameron. 

He’s been all over social media this week documenting his crazy daily capers, which have ranged from him melting his ready meal in a flaming hot oven to describing the official Met Office snow zone weather warning map as a male member. 

The mind truly boggles but knowing the bold Ewen I’d expect nothing less!

Now, it’s no secret I’m snow daft, and I love a wee cheeky snow day or two as much as the next person, but being stuck indoors these past few days has actually worked out really well for me. 

That’s because I wanted to take my time writing this particular edition as it’s going to be my last weekly column for the Evening Times.

I joined the paper as a weekly columnist back in April 2012 and I remember how utterly excited I was as the Evening Times was the only paper we ever had delivered when I was growing up, and all of our family announcements had been printed in the paper. 

We used to laugh at my dear gran’s favourite line when you walked in her house, “Guess who’s deid?”, as she flicked through the obituaries at the back of the paper each night. 

I also vividly remember the incredible support the paper gave me during my time on Pop Idol.

It was the wonderful Tony Carlin, former editor of the Evening Times, who invited me in to see him at his office on Renfield Street in Glasgow in March of 2012. 

He had this idea that we should do a kind of Carrie Bradshaw-style column called ‘Sussed in the City’ as I was a 32-year-old single woman living, working and constantly socialising in Glasgow. 

I, of course, jumped at the chance and so embarked on the most incredible six years writing about my life, opinions and general weekly musings – and I’ve absolutely adored every second of it. 

I’ve spoken about my work, from exclusively announcing engagements ranging from performing at Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, hosting the stage at Glasgow Green during the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and performing panto with David Hasselhoff, to singing with Sir Rod Stewart at the SEC Hydro and most recently joining the panel on Loose Women in January of this year. 

I’ve also spoken about events in my personal life, from being a single girl in her 30s, my struggles with my weight, and the birth of my nephew and niece, to meeting my husband Jeff and getting married.

It has been nothing short of an honour to speak to you all each week while rambling on for countless pages, front and back, as Ross Geller would say about everything and anything that was on my mind and I’ll be forever grateful to the Evening Times for giving me this wonderful platform. 

But like all good things, it must come to an end, and it’s time for someone else to be sussed in this wonderful city of ours and for me to move on to pastures new. 

From the bottom of my heart thank you for allowing me to bend your ear over the past six years, I’ve been utterly blessed to have your company and your overwhelming support and as the wonderful Bette Midler once famously sang, this is ‘One for My Baby (And One More for the Road.)’ 

Thank you so much and cheers. M xxx