SO, what do you do when you get a call from Paddy Power asking if you want to star in an advert which has a tongue-and-cheek message about Scotland not qualifying for the Euros alongside football legends Frank McAvennie and Andy Goram plus my panto pals The Krankies?

Well, you say yes immediately, or at least that’s what I did anyway!

You may have already seen the advert but for those of you that haven’t allow me to paint the picture for you.

Set to the tune of the famous England football anthem Vindaloo the advert starts off on a misty Scottish morning with lovely rolling green hills providing our backdrop.

Suddenly a typically Scottish looking man complete with long red hair and a kilt is speaking direct to the audience asking “Do you think we’re gonna cry because we didnae qualify?”

After that, it just simply descends into madness with a tartan army marching along the Scottish countryside which includes a giant haggis, a deep fried Mars bar and, of course, the Loch Ness monster.

Throw in some highland dancers, men in kilts and string vests and yours truly belting out the tune on a clifftop and there you have Scotland’s thoughts on not being involved in the tournament this year.

The response to the advert has been incredible, especially from our neighbours down south, who have found it hilarious that, according to the song, Scotland will be betting on England to lose which, of course, is just a bit of fun.

One thing that wasn’t so fun though was filming in the pouring rain up at The Rest and Be Thankful a few Thursdays ago.

Hats off to all of the crew and hundreds of extras who stood out there in that torrential weather for the best part of the day getting soaked to the skin and singing the song over and over again at the top of their lungs.

I’ve drawn Spain in my sweepstake with friends so I’m away to purchase the new Spanish football top and stuff my face with paella washed down with ice-cold sangria for the next four weeks. Well, it would be rude not to, right?

WHAT is this weather like? It’s warmer here in Scotland than it was in Tenerife last month when I was there on holiday.

I was performing at Eden Court in beautiful Inverness at the weekend so I decided to treat myself and head down to Troon on Monday as I had a day off and the sun was splitting the trees.

I arrived around lunch time and already this gorgeous wee town in Ayrshire was packed with families and friends making the most of the bank holiday sunshine.

The beach was a sea of bodies all building sand castles and sunbathing.

Along the front were queues of people laughing and joking as they lined up, waiting patiently for an ice cream cone dripping in raspberry sauce with the obligatory chocolate flake plonked on top.

The atmosphere was just so lovely and the kids were having the time of their lives.

I walked up the little hill near the harbour and sat on a bench up there looking out at what can only be described as paradise.

Can there really be a more beautiful country in the world that Scotland when the sun shines? I don’t think so.

Some friends of mine are up on the Outer Hebrides on holiday this week and posted some shots of Vatersay beach on social media which would have taken your breath away.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed for our best summer in years and forget about jumping on a plane and going abroad.

Instead pack up the car or hop on a train or boat and go explore our beautiful country in the sun.

l I’M delighted to be back in the hot seat on Radio Scotland tonight from 10pm hosting The Music Match and then tomorrow I’ll be performing live at Sally Magnusson’s Playlist For Life event.

It’s a double-header at Western Tennis Club in Hyndland, also raising funds for the Elena Baltacha Tennis Foundation with the annual Rally For Bally.

I’ll be singing onstage at 1pm and other special guests joining me throughout the day are Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohli, River City star Gary Lamont, football legend Alan Rough, and BBC presenters Kaye Adams and Judith Ralston will take part in the afternoon’s entertainment.

For more information and tickets, log onto http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/rallyforbally2016

Finally, happy birthday to my darling little sister Maria. I can’t believe you are 28 today, it seems like only yesterday you were running about the back garden with your curly hair and little spotted dress. Hope you have a fantastic day.