Well, well, well. What a weekend. Where do I start? It’s been simply Santa-Strictly-tastic. I have been snowed under (no pun intended) with Santa Fun Run stuff this weekend. I actually participated in one myself on Saturday. As you can see, the Santa outfit can be such an unforgiving garment. Cruel some might say. Cruel. And that picture, in a nutshell, is why I won’t be seen dead in red at any other time of year..... or wearing a hat for that matter either.....

However it was all for charity (Princess Alice Hospice) and so my family and some friends headed off to Kempton Park to complete said event, which happily did not involve going over the fences. My husband ran the 5km. I opted for the 1km walk with the tiddlers, which was actually not such a brilliant move. Especially when I tell you that we hit the back as soon as the walk started and stayed there. My little boy, who has just turned 3, asked me mere yards from the start; “Are we nearly there yet?”

In fact there were such high levels of dissent in the ranks, that I had to bribe my children with the offer of a chocolate coin to get them round. My friend, who was walking with one of her children, (the other was running), handed out apples halfway round. Honestly the shame. We took so long my slightly startled husband actually passed us in the finishing strait.... Yes my friends. Our first family foray into the world of fund-raising was a traumatic one.

So I was a little more comfortable on Sunday when I was the guest starter for the Help the Hospices Santa Fun Run in Hyde Park. There was a terrific turnout and even though I wasn’t actually running (failed a late fitness test with a heavy cold and shocking red nose), it was marvellous to see so many people give up their time to raise money. I am definitely going to run a 5km Santa Run next year, although I think I may stick to wearing just the hat.

And all this and our little Chris getting through to the final of Strictly. What a star!!! Bizarrely there was a Strictly Come Dancing film crew at the Hyde Park event, interviewing Santas about their favourites. I kept a discreet distance of course, whilst casually shouting “Go Chris,” intermittently. I can tell you right now he and Ola will definitely be dancing the Charleston again in the final. He told me last week that they would, if they got through.

So I shall bring you all the final gossip this week from my bed of sickness and pain. No, no don’t worry about me..... I’ll be fine. I think it was Coleen Nolan’s workout that tipped me over the edge. So your tired and emotional correspondent is going to take to her bed. What with Chris, the Santas and little Joe winning X-Factor, I am emotionally drained. Keeeeeeppppp dancing.

Tags: Chris Hollins, Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor, Joe McElderry, Coleen Nolan

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