Thank goodness it's Friday. I don’t know about you but I can't wait to greet old mister weekend with wide open arms today as it's been a very long but fun week.

I've spent most of my time in the capital rehearsing for my one woman show which opens at the Edinburgh Festival next Thursday at The Stand in the Square in St Andrew Square Gardens.

It's my third and final instalment in my one woman show trilogy as I think it's time to give my poor international superstar alter ego a well earned rest.

She’s had a busy couple of years you know. I mean it's hard work getting stuck in boxing rings at the SECC, having Twitter spats with a pop princess and bursting out of skirts in the back of taxis. Yes it's time to give her a break after this year because after all, only so much can happen to one wummin.

This final show has been the most challenging to write. As the previous two have been so successful, it would be a real shame for the last one to not quite hit the mark but I think me and my writing partner Bruce Devlin have done a great job and hopefully it won't disappoint.

I’ll let you in on a few secrets though because we’re old pals now. There's chat about a Hollywood actor who genuinely asked me to be his date at a red carpet event, I talk about how technology is out to get us larger ladies who enjoy a casual Dunkin Donut and if you’d ever considered climbing in a kitchen window after a few sherrys or ten think again.

I am of course utterly delighted to be back at the Edinburgh Festival as there is nothing quite like the atmosphere and glorious vibe about the city not to mention bringing together some of the most talented people in the world to one place to entertain hundreds of thousands of people for three weeks.

If you don't make it through to Edinburgh this August or you just want to stay put in Glasgow then fear not because tomorrow it's the official opening of the Merchant City Festival.

Founded in 2002, the Merchant City Festival presents some of the best of Scottish and international art and entertainment with a programme of street arts, music, theatre, food and drink, visual art, film. There is also comedy, dance, fashion and design and children and families activities, while at the same time showcasing the unique cultural hub that is the Merchant City.

The festival will run for nine days and with so much to see and do for all of the family it's the perfect event for people of all ages.

There’s Family Storytelling at the Tron Theatre where little imaginations and big adventures run wild as storytelling sessions are brought to life using props, movement, music and creative play and carefully designed to stimulate the senses.

Most importantly there is lots of fun for children and parents too and let's be honest it's five weeks into the school summer holidays so this may be exactly what you are looking for at this stage.

There is so much live music, theatre and comedy to choose from including Witsherface, a Glasgow-based creative comedy collective which provides opportunities for funny women to thrive.

Earlier in the year the group sold out their Glasgow Comedy Festival run so you’ll have to get your tickets quick if you want to see their brand new show at the Merchant City Festival.

With the food and drink flowing at fantastic venues such as the The Beer Cafe, it's set to be another smash hit for the organisers and participants alike.

For more information log onto http://www.merchantcityfestival.com and if you want to buy tickets for my Edinburgh Festival show which kicks off on August 4 go to www.edfringe.com

Happy Birthday to my wonderful fiancé - have I mentioned I'm engaged and over the moon someone has finally put a ring on it? I hope you have the most wonderful day and and I promise to nurse you through the birthday hangover afterwards. Here’s to the big 30 birthday boy xxx