MYLEENE'S BLOG

Hi all,

Have had a pretty surreal few days. Spent the first half of last week standing at a shop stall, in an art gallery for what Mothercare called 'Christmas in July'.

The set up is basically lots of buyers and press teams turn up at the gallery which has been transformed into a christmas scene and look at what is expected to hit the shops in August and write/buy it all up in advance. I stood at my stall showing my BabyK section and thoroughly enjoyed meeting everyone and showing them the collection and new classical music playmats…. however, there was one small hitch. I have in the five years that I've been with my management only taken one day off sick (bar maternity leave but don't think that counts) and little was I to know the second day off was fast looming. I totally lost my voice and spent the entire 'Xmas day' spluttering, coughing and croaking at the poor people who dared to venture near me. In the end, I was pretty much reduced to miming 'why I think the collection is so great'. Embarrassing, but oddly quite effective! The good news is there has been a ton of interest over the new fashion collection and the BabyK orchestra. Brilliant.

As mentioned, took the next day off where I stayed in bed and genuinely felt sorry for myself as I had promised Ava she could come with me to work as I was meant to be reading a book to 'Bookaboo' (if you have no idea who/what I'm on about, please Google…it will be so worth your while!). We had been busy reading and practicing all the 'voices' we could use for the story telling day and of course, as I had completely lost my voice, I was no use to anyone and Ava was upset to hear that Bookaboo had gone on a 'last minute holiday'!

Next day was miles better. I went to the M&S party to welcome in the new boss, celebrate a fab year and generally catch up with all the 'girls', staff and my colleagues. The party started off as a girls 'worst nightmare/extremely funny' depending on your outlook. As I walked up the steps into the party, I bumped into Tess Daly who was wearing the same dress as me…ever the pro, she ran back into her car and changed, as she had brought a spare frock (I too had gotten dressed in the back of my car but as I only had the dress I was wearing, she saved the day (and looked fab in the process). Spent the rest of the party catching up with Steve Sharp (the creative genius behind all of those amazing campaigns and adverts) Twiggy and Lisa Snowdon. I think its actually safe to guess that Lisa and I demolished pretty much half the cold meats and cheese buffet, but imagine, M&S food on tap at an M&S party, AMAZING!!!

Went straight onto the opening of the Serpentine gallery and had a funny game of ping pong with my manager Jonathan Shalit and my American agent John Ferriter. Both Johns were very good but then again, I was playing in four-inch heels and holding my hand bag (Lulu Guinness herself gave it to me so its sacred!!)

After all this, I rushed home, packed my bag and grabbed three hours sleep before flying to Spain for Gray's sister's 40th. It was amazing. A mini holiday, 14 kids between us all and some much needed rest. Oh, and the world cup happened to fall on the Sunday we there so the boys were happy (kind of!). The day I returned, I managed to reschedule 'Bookaboo' and am happy to say that it went very smoothly. (I have never actually seen how puppetry is carried out for 'on screen', its unreal. The puppeteer literally has to be a contortionist, a mind reader and have a good sense of timing (lying on the floor looking at a screen/monitor whilst reading scripts, improvising and coordinating himself and the puppet is no mean feat.) Really enjoyed it and Ava got to keep the book and her VIP Bookaboo tour bus pass!

Today I'm aching all over as I did a photo shoot yesterday dressed as, what looked like, someone from the matrix! The moves I had to pull involved a trampet and a car park floor so needless to say I'm feeling a tad fragile! (won't blow the details of the shoot though as they'll kill me!)

I took Ava, my Mum and Dad to the Barrio Fiesta. For those not in the know, its basically a huge festival that the Filipino community (my mama is from the Philippines) lays on and it is the best festival you will ever go to as its pretty much based solely around good company and good food (not 'festival burgers and hotdogs') think rice, noodles, seasoned skewers, 'halo halo' (My personal fav…a Filipino desert that translates as 'mix mix' and is a 'mix' of fruits, crushed ice, evaporated milk and sugar. I have easily eaten my own body weight in food today!!

The entertainment rather than bands is a mix of everything (Ava loved the fair) but my favs are actually the more traditional dances that include long sticks (like a version of 'elastics'!) and Hula (of course!!). If you ever get the chance to go. You must. The Filipino community is so friendly and warm, we'd love to have you!

Lets see what this week brings!

Leenie x

I know! I've been naughty. I should have written something, anything ages ago!

I have been away with Ava in Australia for a couple of months filming a new programme called Scorpion Island. Its like a kid's version of 'I'm a Celeb' but you wouldn't know it from watching the tasks that they faced! The children were so brave jumping out of planes, eating scorpions (with very little encouragement) and generally enjoying the jungle bugs and heat! It was really nice to be back in the out back, as this time I actually knew what to bring with me (more Deet, less hairspray!). Ava is brilliant now when it comes to naming the bugs as most of them ended up in our room each night! Considering how petrified I used to be of anything with more than two legs, I can't believe how my own jungle experiences have now left me feeling completely nonplussed by creepy crawlies!

Ava's swimming is unreal now. She is better than me at diving, backstroke and crawling! She's completely obsessed with Mermaids and Ariel, handy, as I've just decorated her entire room like the bottom of the ocean! She is so funny now, a real character and amazing little girl. I took her to see the Lion King last week and she danced through it all.

After Oz, I went on to Mexico to interview a child matador (whatever your beliefs when it comes to bull fighting, this boy in his own right was just adorable) followed by a trip to Tennessee to meet a group of child cage fighters (yes seriously!) succeeded by Spain and a chat literally in the lions den with a child lion tamer.

I can't say much more than this, it is all for a new programme set to come out soon. I am sure it will make amazing viewing. I learnt so much about the different cultures out there as well as challenged my own beliefs and attitudes to things (oh, and I cried a lot!!)…I defy you not to do the same when you see it!
So now I'm back home which is so lovely (have been busy wallpapering the house and playing in the garden with Ava) and have had the chance to catch up with friends and family as well as complete the finishing touches on the next Baby K collection.

The leopard print buggies have been such a massive success (thank you if bought one!) as has the whole clothes collection and now, the Baby K orchestra (toys that have been influenced by my training in the classical world) are set to hit the shelves soon so there is plenty to be getting on with.

On a more social note, I got the chance to go to Elton John's 'White Tie and Tiara Ball'. It was absolutely spectacular if not a tad 'insane'! The theme was 'lunatics taking over the asylum' (in my dress/nighty I fitted in perfectly!) with people suspended, hanging from trees, broken crockery strewn across the lawn and my old school mates from the Royal Academy of Music sitting in steel beds in Elton's garden playing the metal frames with spoons!!! Bonkers! Lady Gaga performed and showed just how brilliant she is. She deserves every ounce of the success she is receiving.

This weekend was brilliant fun. I hosted and played the piano for a concert at Mercedes Benz World. Escala (collectively the best legs in the business!), Darius and Russell Watson amongst others performed and it really was an amazing night. Thank you to everyone that took a chance on the weather (it paid off!) as well as all the friendly people they came for autographs and pictures and were just generally lovely to chat to! My mum's picnic was a success and Ava spent the entire night dancing around to all the melodies and chatting to 'Uncle Darius' so everyone went home very happy!

I have just received my new glasses (had my eyes lazered ten years ago but they've totally regressed again…you have been warned!) and accompanied with my 'secret' brace, all I need is for Matthew Wing to dump me and I'll be back to my teenage years again!

Shout you next week….I PROMISE!!

Love always,

Leenie xx

We caught up with Myleene on Friday evening after the filming of Popstar to Operastar to reflect on the results of the semi-final.

Myleene also updated us on her latest projects coming up in the next couple of months. We quizzed her on which items from the new Baby K range (due out very soon!) she likes the most and she also left a special message to those who have supported her over the last few weeks.

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I know. I totally should have written this up a million years ago. I can only plead a mixture of 'crazy busy' with Ava and work and X Factor stealing my attention away (go Stacey!)!

I'll try and catch up as best I can…..News with Ava is she has turned two (we had a BBQ in the garden to celebrate and yay, it didn't rain!) and almost overnight, has turned into a teenager! She has now discovered the power of the word 'no' 'mine', and 'I want'! Anyway, mad times to say the least. She is still sleeping in my bed, which is sooo lovely although poor Gray gets kicked in the head a few times throughout the night as she moves about alot in her sleep but her dreams are incredibly cute ('mama, I saw mermaid, Nemo and gorilla feeding the ducks'…..) and she can sing everything from Abba and Lady Gaga to Dvorzak!! I am so mad about her its unreal. She's just incredible.

Gray, Ava and myself actually managed to grab a holiday in Bahrain which was unexpected and brilliant. Was nice to not have to do any laundry or dishes and just relax with my family. Avas swimming is coming on brilliantly. In a years time, I swear she'll be better than me!

Its been a busy time for travel. Before Bahrain I was in America scooting across 8 or 9 states for Children in Need with John Barrowman. It was tough but really great fun. He's a lovely person and a one man karaoke machine! There isn't a song this guy doesn't know! As we were trying to re-create the travels of Phileas Fogg in 80 Days Around The World, we found ourselves taking a million modes of transport (Harleys, an electric car, 18 wheel trucks, you name it) including a hot air balloon. Having never been in one before, I don't know why I didn't ask the question before actually floating up into the air, but it had never occurred to me to ask how you actually stop the thing and get down. Turns out you have very little if any control and we took the quickest option namely by crashing into a tree. Not very glamourous but definitely effective! Our show is on BBC1 on the 10th Nov so I hope you enjoy it.

Have just finished filming the Marks and Spencer's Christmas ad. I don't want to blow the line up or anything but it is very exciting. In fact one of my all time heros is in it so it's made my Christmas already! Without giving away the storyline of the ad, what I can tell you is filming it, I discovered I'm even more unfit than I anticipated and I got a few hefty bruises through the duration (my own clumsy fault) but it is amazing and I'm so happy to have been a part of it all.

BTW, huge thanks to all the lovely ladies that came down to the M&S tour stores where I was modelling the new Indigo range and dressing competition winners. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves layering up the clothes, swapping fashion tips and generally have a girls day out! I even learnt to drive a VW camper van (it was our tour bus). I can't understand how the hippy generation did it. The clutch was almost up by the ceiling but it was the ultimate van. In true M&S fashion, the glove compartment and all the cupboards in the back were well stocked with Percy Pigs and chocolate cornflakes cakes which are my all time fav.

Halloween was a blast. Had a party at my house. Dressed up as a witch (well, it was easy as I had a black dress already and Gray thought it hilarious to insist I surely must have a broomstick too, so just bought a hat). Ava came as a 'fairy princess witch' and Gray, well he refused to dress up (boo) as he was extremely engrossed with his fireworks display! My guests were so surprised to come to a humble children's halloween party only to get a supernova outdoor light and fireworks show. He even set up a bonfire for us to toast marshmallows…. Evening ended early for Ava the ultimate party girl who ate too many of said marshmallows. I kept taking them off her as I never usually let her near junk food but the other kids gave them to her throughout the night and she threw up in the kitchen poor thing. At 8 on the dot, everyone retired to my new giant sofa (can seat 17 we happily discovered) for an evening of X Factor. Absolutely loving it this year.

The new range for BabyK autumn/winter 09 launched last week and its been sooo incredible. First bit of good news is BabyK won its first award for best baby wear on the high street…. hurray! and secondly, its been our most successful season so far and the feedback has been the best thing of all. I saw a little girl at the park the other day in my raspberry pink tweed coat and she looked so adorable, I had to run over and catch up with her mama. At first I think I made the poor lady jump as I cooed and fussed about her daughter but she saw the funny side. It's wonderful that so many parents (and more importantly, the babies) love it.

Finally, I want to send my heartfelt condolences and thoughts to Stephen Gately's family and friends. As some of you know, Keith is my brother in law and Gray and the boys grew up together in Dublin. I have seen how hard his parting has hit them all but also how they are looking after one another and living each day with love and strength in his honour. He was a remarkable, funny, kind and generous man. RIP dear Steo.

Love always

Leenie x

Hello there!

Hope you are all happy and well!

Wow! As usual so much has happened since I last wrote in! I do check into my site daily, but have been rather naughty for not writing up my blog. Things have been a tad busy you could say…still no excuse though so sorry.

I'm in Cannes at the mo with my movie show The Screening Room covering the festival. It has been pretty eventful. I only ever get the chance to go to the movies when it is for work but even I have to admit that sitting in a cinema with 500 other journalists at 7.30 in the morning is quite a surreal way of doing things.

I have interviewed so many actors and actresses out here as well as designers (including Roberto Cavalli). I went to visit him on his yacht and I have to say it was exactly as I imagined it would be, leopard print cushions, white leather sofas, strings of pearls hanging or draped everywhere (even in the soap dishes!) and even a leather floored dance floor!!!!!

I asked him why people love coming to see him so much on his yacht (Mariah had just left). Was it the famous parties he has on board? The promise of a fab free dress from him? (By the way he loved the M&S dress I was wearing!) or the people he has come to visit? No, he swears it is his homemade spaghetti! I tried it, he is right…and he tells me he even has a gym on board where the models work it off afterwards! Seriously!

The Classical Brit Awards were incredible. I brought Ava down to the rehearsals so she could watch the orchestra play (she is mad about the cellos and trumpets) as well as hear the best vocalists in the world. Last year she was old enough to hold her head up and clap but this year, she went for the full on jumping up and down, cheering and applauding when Katherine Jenkins and Jose Carreras performed. Placido Domingo has even invited us to the opera with him which should be an experience never to forget. Sadly she missed Lang Lang and Herbie Hancock as it was naptime!

She has also been to theatre this month as we went to see the Tweenies with my godson Joel and his mama! We had the best time, sang the number one song in the Tweenies charts (If you're happy and you know it) at the top of our voices and spilt ice cream all over ourselves!

Ava's passport is full of stamps as we've been back and forth to LA. Earlier in the year I had to work at the Oscars but got the chance to take Ava to Disney land with my little sister. Ava dressed up as Cinderella and even lost her shoe down main street (was kindly rescued by a lady) and we rode on the tea cups all day. It was one of the most memorable, emotional and happiest days of my life as it was always my dream to go there when I was little and didn't make it till I was 21. To be able to take her at such a young age and see her enjoy every minute was the best feeling in the world. We went to see Elmo the next day but Ava was less impressed and played with the ketchup bottles instead!

The launch of the Baby K collection Spring Summer 09 has gone really well. I've been to the stores, The Baby Show and to Mothercare headquarters and seen that the collection has been doing amazingly. It was lovely to chat to all the mamas at the show and Ava enjoyed herself immensely.

The latest news in is that I've been asked to go the Costa Rican Rainforest and host the American version of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!!! I am beside myself with excitement! I can't believe after all this time I get to go back into the jungle as well as host such an incredible programme.

I will keep you updated as soon as I get there! Gray has already packed an 'army style' pack for me of mosquito nets and bug spray while I have been deliberating over which hats to bring!

Wish me luck…..speak to you very soon

Love always,

Leenie x

Hey guys,

The first shots of my Baby K range at a Mothercare store in Dubai!

We have launched Baby K in a number of new territories, so keep checking back for more information!

Love always,

Leenie x

Belated Happy new year! Hope you had a good one.

I spent Christmas and New Year in Dubai which is a first for me as I'm usually home, but couldn't resist taking my three week holiday off in the sun with Ava and Gray. Ava had a ball eating lemon ice pops on the beach, while Gray kept every kid in the vicinity more than occupied by digging holes and building sandcastles till the sun went down!

My favourite moment of the entire trip was dancing the night away with Gray and Ava on the dance floor of a private beach party we 'gatecrashed' as we saw in 2009. We kept Ava on 'English time' (four hours behind) so she stayed up for the festivities and she danced with her mama and about twenty other children to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'! She's just like her dad, when it was time to leave, I couldn't get her off the dance floor!

It's good to be back and I'm so excited (if not a tad nervous) as my new programme, ten years younger is soon to air. I hope you enjoy it. I've loved every minute of getting to know the women (and man!) taking part in the show. They all look so good and I know how much the show has changed their lives already!

One women is finally going for the job she's trained years for but never had the confidence to make the interview, and another is starting her dance classes in the hope of finding a man as well as fulfilling a life time ambition to learn to salsa! They might seem like small changes, but from small acorns……

I wish them all luck and thank them for letting me be a part of their very personal journeys as well as for introducing me to their lovely families. Oh, BTW, if you're squeamish, you're going to need a cushion! There are some scenes where you might as well be handing the scalpel to the surgeon; you get that close to the action.

Hope you've enjoyed the new Pantene ad I filmed. I've never had to sit so still in my life in order to film the close up shots, and for a natural born fidget; this was quite a feat for me. Absolutely loved the track we used too. It's called Aerodynamic by Daft Punk and I had to replicate the sound, in a classical way, whilst swishing my hair at the right moments! All good fun and we got there in the end…It was such an amazing ad to film and I'm over the moon with the results….and for the record, my hair has never felt or looked better…I'm a true Pantene convert!!

Just shot the next print campaign for Marks and Spencers. Don't want to give the game away, but I know that my manager will be pleased as he's always saying his life would be much easier if he had 'two of me'….I'm guessing that's the polar opposite of how Gray feels!!!!

I'm also getting ready for the spring/summer 09 collection of Babyk at Mothercare to hit the shops! Only a few weeks to go. It's looking really good and after all the hard work that's gone into it, I'm feeling very proud. Let's hope the mummies (and babies) love it as much as the first range, if not more.

I'm off to the Oscars in the next few weeks as well, so will hopefully have lots of news and backstage gossip for you.

In the mean time, it's clearly the year for change and realizing dreams, well done President Obama. May 2009 bring you everything you wish for and here's to the inspiration and change that's ahead for us all.

Love always and big kisses,

Leenie x

Firstly, huge, huge apologies for not having written up my blog for a while…things have been a tad hectic but at least I have plenty of material!

As some of you may know, I've been all over the country promoting my new Baby K range in Mothercare stores. It's been such a lovely way to go to work as Ava got to play with tons of new toys as well as make new friends while I got to chat to lots of mums and cuddle babies! Thankfully, the hard work has paid off as its selling out and has now been bought up in ten countries after only a few weeks…Hurrah!

I now spend a lot of my time scouring the streets for women carrying Baby K bags or babies in my designs. I'm sure people think I'm totally nuts when I run up to them asking to look in their shopping bags to see what they've bought, but it's with the best of intentions….honest!

The programme I've been working on with uber stylist Gok Wan, Miss Naked Beauty, is also finally finished and out. We really did have a laugh filming it as Gok constantly pulled faces every time I was trying to deliver my lines to the point that we both fell to the floor crying with laughter.

Unfortunately for us, we were the only two people on set who found it even remotely funny and at one desperate moment, the exasperated producer and director actually packed up the equipment and left us on the street cackling to ourselves…probably not my finest or most professional moment but working with Gok is like working with a naughty school boy.

The girls on the show were all so adorable. I got really close to them and found it hard to say goodbye each week as more were eliminated. However, I think it's refreshing to be a part of show that's helping find a woman that embodies all that's good about the sisterhood and spreads a positive message for us ladies.

Exciting news is I've just been signed up as the new presenter of 'Ten Years Younger'. To say it has been 'jaw dropping' would be an understatement. I've always loved the show, but to actually get the chance to go behind the scenes and talk to all the people that are radically changing their looks and find out what's behind it all is totally the best bit.

I've met so many lovely, kind souls that have been through traumatic experiences and couldn't bring themselves to care about anything, let alone run a brush through their hair, a lady who lived out in the sun and fried herself to a crisp god love her, down to busy mums, rushed off their feet worrying about everyone else but not themselves. Its been a lesson and half. I swear every night, I'm going to remove all my make up, drink a barrel of water and stay out of the sun….I've seen what can happen!!!!

In fairness, the producers always have a box of tissues on standby for our guests as they tell their stories or for when they watch back the tape to see how old the public think they are, but it's usually me that ends up using them! I don't even feel like I'm really working…it's more like having a good chat with your girl friends. All that's missing is a cup of tea or a bottle of prosecco!

On the subject of presenting, A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that supported me in winning my Cosmo award for 'Best Female Presenter of the Year'. I wish I could literally break off little a bits of it and give them to everyone that has helped me along the way, watched the shows, or voted for me as I know I didn't achieve this alone.

After the implosion that was Hear'say, so many people gave me a chance for which I will be eternally grateful for…..so if you're one of them, Thank you! If on the other hand, you are the critic that years ago made my mum cry, I would like to send your chip of award personally….you made me try hardest of all! Cheers!

These months seem to be all about girl power for me….Divas is back under the new moniker, Divas Two! Filming it was like being on a huge Hen night! Feather bowers, cheering women and men waving their shirts in the air! The show once again was held in the name of breast cancer and as a celebration of life. The audience was comprised of people that have suffered and survived and family members of those not so lucky. I brought my friends to see the show and they had a ball.

The divas performing rocked that night from the Sugababes (Ava absolutely loved meeting them and danced to 'Here Come The Girls') to Leona Lewis and I can safely say there were no diva demands on the night backstage except from my own little diva who had whole milk, pineapple and spaghetti bolognaise on her very own rider!!

Anastacia who is both a fighter and survivor in her own right was amazing on the night and full of personality. Just before I delivered my lines about her song, she whispered in my ear that she'd been "dieing to meet the girl that ran off with her bodyguard like her!". That had us in giggles every time we saw each other! I also got to meet the legend that is Dionne Warwick. What an unbelievable lady. At the end of the show, all the divas stood on stage and held hands as she sang 'That's What Friends Are For' and I swear there wasn't a single person present not sobbing, hugging or moved by the whole experience. Go on the gals!!

It must be the month for working with Legends as I also just recorded a show, One Night Only, with the one and only Tom Jones!! I Looooooved it! He is such a gentleman and wow, what a voice! I had to keep sneaking a look over at him as we filmed to make sure I wasn't dreaming the whole experience!

Am now counting the hours to the premier of the Marks and Spencers Christmas ad I filmed with the M&S girls and Take That. Christmas really did come early on the shoot as we all got to run about on set throwing snow balls at each other and eat mince pies. Usually, not being the sportiest lass, I'm hopeless with my aim, but every time the director called 'action' we soon had to stop as all my snow balls managed to connect unintentionally with a certain unsuspecting Take That member…..he thankfully saw the funny side, but in true 'boy style' well and truly got me back! Ava (the unofficial 6th girl member) met her mamas favourite boy band and shared a platter of mango with Jason and Gary in between takes. I'm taking lots of photos as I'm sure she'll never believe me when she's older.

Hope that the Christmas countdown is a happy one for you all…….

Ho Ho Ho have a good one…

Big kiss, thanks again and love always,

Leenie xx

Hello there!

Well what a travel month June has turned out to be! I finally got the chance to sneak off for a mini break to Thailand with the family which was lovely. We rented a villa which meant we got the chance to just hide away from the world for a week and I basically spent my days making tuna and pineapple omelettes for the gang (sadly my culinary skills aren't up to that of Gordan Ramseys) and walking around the Island looking for toys in the form of Cats and Elephants (Avas obsessed with them!).

After that we had a quick stop off in Singapore before heading on to Australia for the Sydney film festival to work for The Screening Room. It was amazing to get the chance to go out there as I haven't been back since 'I'm a celebrity'. I was asked to climb Sydney harbour bridge and deliver my opening link to the camera (which incidentally happened to be placed in a helicopter!). I imagined the whole thing looking like a scene from a bond movie. The reality was slightly less glamorous as we had to race to the top to greet the heli on time or he would miss his flying slot, whilst wearing giant, grey overalls and a beanie hat with everything, hanky (presumably to mop the sweat from my brow?), script, rain jacket, fleece and microphone tied to me like a pack horse! Still the shot, the experience, the view (you can see Russell Crows house from up there!) and the fact it all actually came together without the aid of walkie talkies coupled with me not falling over was just incredible and an experience I will never forget.

After Sydney, (luckily for me, we managed to film at every top tourist spot from the opera house to bondi beach even in the middle of their winter and the torrential rain), we then went to Ireland where I was asked to host the Miss Ireland pageant with my friend Brian Dowling. I finally managed to dress Ava in her first 'BabyK' outfit for her visit to her Nan's. Gray and I couldn't stop taking photos of her as she looked adorable and he was so proud of what I had designed, he kept calling her Miss Ireland!! Bless him.

Despite the jet lag (Ava and Gray went straight to his mums for a sleep), I had a ball as everyone was just brilliant. The judges had their work cut out as all the girls were absolutely stunning ( I looked like a smurf standing next to them on the stage as they all seemed 3 foot taller than me!). Brian and I kept imagining we were in 'Miss Congeniality', and I had to do my very best to persuade him to hand the crown directly to the winner without trying it on first!

I've also been busy filming with the BBC for their new show, 'Last choir standing'. Its been so much fun as all the choir members are really lovely, dedicated and talented people. I love the fact that they dispel the myth that choirs can be dull and boring. On the contrary, the choirs are always full of surprises. Some sing Mark Ronson or Girls Aloud tracks while others decorate handbags and bring them on stage with them or even beat box and rap which just goes to show how talented and varied the whole shows going to be. I'm hooked already and cant decide which choir should win as they're all good in different ways.

That's about it for now other than I've tried on the new collection for M&S and have seen the plans for the next advert. I can barely sleep with the excitement of how amazing it all looks….cant wait for you to see it. Thanks to everyone that sent lovely messages about the bureau de change advert I filmed. I was so nervous and excited to see what people would think so all the messages meant a great deal.

As always, thank you for your continued support in everything I do. I would never be able to achieve any of this without you and I'm eternally grateful we can enjoy it all together.

Big kisses and see you next month!

Leenie xx

Well, its finally happened! I am now officially 30 years old…..and proud! You might have caught a glimpse of some of the photos taken outside my party and hopefully they made you laugh as much as I did. I chose the theme 'What I want to be when I grow up' and without a doubt everyone that came rose to the challenge of fancy dress. I came as Liz Taylor, circa Cleopatra days and in addition there were Pilots, Priests, three Zoros, Jedis (of course), fairies, mermaids, an astronaut and Ronald Macdonald to name but a few! I was so touched that so many of my friends made such an effort to dress up and even travel from abroad to be there. It was a night I will never forget…. if not one that I learnt a lot about my mates!

I am sitting writing this in Portugal at the minute having just filmed the new summer M&S advert. It really was great fun to film as the cast and crew are all like a little family and Ava had the best time (she took her first dip in the pool and made a sand castle with her Dada!). She really is becoming a seasoned traveller as I also had the chance to take her to LA this month and interview Jackie Chan for the Screening room. I went to the Dodgers game and walked out onto the pitch to do my links and cheer him on as he bowled the first pitch. I did have an embarrassing chain of events with him that I'm still cringing over even now. When he asked me if I'd like a “cup of tea?” in a funny voice half way through my interview with him. I replied I was fine for the moment but maybe later, only to realise that he was practicing the English phrases Steve Coogan had taught him! After that I'm positive he thought I was stalking him as we walked into the stadium together (pure coincidence), took the same lift (not once but four times!) and then bumped into each other once again on the way out. Cringe!

As some of you know, I'm not the biggest sports fan in the world, but even I couldn't help being overawed at the size of the Dodger's stadium and how incredible the atmosphere was. In true American style, I sat and watched the game with a hot dog in one hand a bucket sized measure of diet coke in the other!

After that Ava and I went to New York (special thank you to terminal five for losing my pram!) to finish my interviews and links for CNN and then to work with Mothercare on my Baby K range. It launches soon and to say I am excited is an understatement. I have been grabbing fabric swatches in every country I visit as well as checking out what they have to offer and what new ideas are around to help make mums lives easier!

I also had a rather cultured day last week as I am hosting the Classical Brits and had to announce the nominees. I've heard who some of the guest presenters and performers are already and I think its a fantastic line up. It really is a career highlight for me to be hosting this show, as at school I was always considered a bit of a geek for loving classical music and now I can see it becoming more and more accessible. I'm glad it doesn't have such a stigma attached to it now.

Must give a shout out to everyone who sent me cards, poems, presents and flowers for my birthday. You are all extremely kind. Thank you. Special thank you to Leila for organising my party!

And finally – watch this space as I have big news to announce next month…am dying to tell you now but Jonathan, my manager, would tell me off!!!

Big kiss and catch up with you next month!

Leenie xxx