I am, right at this very moment writing this week’s column from my BED not because I’m terrible lazy but because for the last 48 hours I have been struck down by some horrid bug. My voice has disappeared, I’ve got a temperature and basically feeling like pooh! I just hope it all shifts before the big day when the big fat man with the big red coat breaks into everyone’s homes again.
For the first time in years I have had to cancel this week which I hate as any performer does. Last Friday I was meant to be on BBC Radio Wales singing carols with my brother, Shan Cothi, Caroline Sheen & Jeff Howard but that didn’t happen and I still need to Xmas shop for my two brothers but at the moment leaving this bed other than to visit the little boys room is not on the cards, so they may be getting a signed CD if they are lucky.
As it’s the season to be merry let’s rewind from my dying pit to the excitement at the beginning of the week. Months ago I was asked if I would perform at the Mildmay charity carol service at St Botolph Church in the City of London to celebrate 25 years of the charity’s work on HIV Services and care in the UK. I hadn’t heard of them but soon realised it was something that I would be honoured to support.
I shared the stage with Marc Almond (Soft Cell), Pam Rhodes (Songs of Praise) Sally Harrison (English National Opera) and one of my long time pin ups Anita Dobson – who seemed rather flattered when I said she was one of my dream girls. Oh yes we also had two choirs Diversity & a local primary school who all appeared dressed as characters from the nativity – so funny and beautiful.
A very special night. Hearing people’s brave stories was very humbling. I was asked to read the poem “Christmas” by John Betjeman as well as close the service with a new arrangement of the timeless classic “I`m dreaming of a white Christmas”. The response was wonderful and the evening raised over £7,000 for a great cause.
After a day of meetings in London I headed off to catch my train from Paddington. I just managed to squeeze into the last standing space on the train. It was packed to the rafters. Within minutes I was in full conversation with a gent called William. It turns out he runs the Boar’s Head in Carmarthen – small world.
Right I need more sleep to kick this bug. In theory I have a couple of special Christmas bookings this week.
Have a great Christmas everyone and a healthy and happy 2015. I hope that I will see you all back here soon. Nadolig Llawen xx 
This article was originally published in the Carmarthen Journal in Mark’s weekly column for the paper.
