My week got off to a flying start, quite literally. I was invited to go on a day trip to Lapland by the lovely team at When You Wish Upon a Star. The charity grant wishes to children living with a life threatening illness and each year they charter a flight to Lapland. I came straight off the stage at the Pavilion on Sunday night and headed to the Marine Hotel in Troon where everyone was staying in order to catch the early morning flight from Prestwick airport. I arrived at 10pm and my hotel wake up call was scheduled for 3:30am. I was lucky if I got three hours sleep before it was time to go, but I didn't care; we were on our way to meet Santa! Once in the air, the first order of business was to take over the tannoy and belt out some Christmas tunes with Ewen Cameron, Cat Harvey and former Miss Scotland Nicola Wood. It might have been early, but we gave it absolute laldy.

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Our first stop in Lapland was the Magical Forest, which more than lives up to it's name. We were in the company of 70 families, all of whom have a child who is battling a life threatening illness. However, the soundtrack to the day was squeals of delight and total joy - these kids were out to have some serious fun and scattered off in all directions as soon as we got to the Magical Forest. My good pal Cat Harvey and I were a merry band of two for the afternoon and bounced around the forest like a pair of demented Elves. We were in heaven with the hot chocolate on tap and as many barbecued snarlers as one could stomach. A quick birl on the snow mobiles left us with frost bitten cheeks and Evil Knievel safe in a job, we were like a pair of grannies driving on a Sunday. Safety first and all that.

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Lapland only gets around four hours of daylight in the winter. The Magical Forest was a nippy -13 degrees and as the light faded, so did the temperature. I was glad to get to the hotel for lunch at 3:30pm, it was already dark and my toes were freezing. The trip to Lapland for the families and all of us was paid for by Maximillion Cooper and his wife Eve. Max is the man behind the Gumball 3000, an annual British 3000-mile international motor rally that takes place on public roads. Eve is the American actress and singer who duetted with Gwen Stefani on "Let Me Blow Ya Mind". I've been a total fan of hers since my teenage years, so not only was I in Lapland, but I was hanging out with the bold Eve. Mind. Blown. As well as being incredibly generous, Eve and Max also got stuck into the duties on the day. We helped serve lunch to the kids and their families. I have a new found respect for dinner ladies; it's not an easy task. I was in charge of mashed potatoes and "local game" Yip. You guessed it, reindeer. I had to serve up Rudolph to the weans. Eve was next to me and was in charge of chips. I was asked repeatedly what local game was - I could only reply that it was game and it was local. Eve chided me for telling a more inquisitive child that it was kind of like ham. Idol or not, she had it easy with the chips and I was sweating bullets! Poor Rudolph, not even that red nose could save him.

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After lunch, Santa came to visit us, the kids got to meet him and hand over their handwritten letters. I can't lie, it really was lump in the throat material, they were all so happy. I got papped with the big man too!

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We stopped at Santa Claus village on the way back to the airport. The temperature had dropped to -18 degrees, but that didn't deter me from shopping up a storm and buying two bags full of Chrimbo souvenirs. As we were getting onto our coach, the tour guide pointed out the Northern Lights in the sky above. I burst into tears. Seeing the Northern Lights with my own eyes was a life ambition box ticked and even more special to see them in Lapland at Christmas time with all of these wonderful children is a memory I'll cherish forever. I had one of the best days of my life in Lapland and want to thank everyone who was part of it, but mostly to the wonderful charity that is When you wish upon a Star. Your work is incredible and long may it continue. I implore you all to go to Lapland and experience the magic for yourself.