YVIE BURNETT Meeting Leona gets me in festive mood

The mezzo-soprano from Methlick and vocal coach to the stars

Are you panicking at this point, buying last-minute presents, rushing out for the food shop or still decorating the house?

Or are you cool, calm and collected with presents under the tree and the food prep well under way?

Or maybe you are going out for Christmas lunch or off to visit your family or friends?

I often wonder what other families are doing in the run-up to Christmas.

There must be every range of organisation going on across the country, from complete disaster to a military operation.

Nigella and Jamie make it all look easy and under control, and indeed there have been years when I’ve had lists and more lists and lists about the lists. Not this year, though.

This year I haven’t a clue whether it’s going to be chaos or calm. Gordon is the reason for the confusion. He is on airport standby on Christmas Eve.

This means he could be anywhere in the world on Christmas Day – or back home.

Therein lies the problem. If he was definitely away, or definitely at home, I would have control of the situation. I’ve realised I’m a Christmas control freak, and British Airways are messing with my mind!

So, to be fair, I just need to do what I usually do and over-cater.

I usually make food for far more guests than are turning up, so if Gordon is sitting at the table there will be plenty.

I just need to relax and let go of the reins a little. It will all be well, as Gordon often says.

This week has been lovely. I’m sometimes so tempted to cosy up at home and not go to social events, but you know what it’s like – even though you are tired or not in the mood to get dressed up, you usually come home thinking: “I’m glad I made the effort.”

Our friends always have a party at their home and it’s the perfect house to decorate for Christmas. It’s very posh with high ceilings and a huge kitchen with an Aga. As soon as we step in there for their party, our Christmas week begins.

However, I also had the perfect event this week to get me in the festive mood.

I went to Birmingham to catch up with the gorgeous Leona Lewis on her UK Christmas tour.

A few years ago, when Leona and I were in a recording studio in Brighton – in August, with a Christmas tree to get us in the mood, recording One More Sleep with the legendary producer Biff Stannard – we couldn’t have imagined just how huge a Christmas hit that song would become.

Leona has always loved singing Christmas songs, and on this tour with a live band she had the chance to work on her own arrangements, which sounded incredible.

Leona’s husband, Dennis Jauch, is a creative director and choreographer, and he directed Leona’s show brilliantly.

I spoke to them both afterwards about how perfect that show would be if it was taken to Vegas.

I honestly think that will happen and I’d be so proud to see her there.

The British public are proud of Leona. We saw her grow up and gain her confidence on

X Factor all those years ago. We remember her incredible talent, but also her shyness and how her diva voice didn’t necessarily match her non-diva personality.

I think we are always prouder when the nice people make it big. Those who don’t realise just how good they are.

I think Leona always had a quiet confidence about her vocal ability, but she was never over-confident or arrogant – we all loved her from day one.

So now, 17 years after that X Factor win – yes, 17 years, I couldn’t believe it either! – she is going from strength to strength.

Oh, by the way, were you happy with the Strictly winners?

I had such a soft spot for Bobby Brazier that I hoped he and beautiful Dianne Buswell might lift the trophy. I did, however, think that Layton was the best dancer.

There was much speculation that he was already a trained dancer so I suppose that would have put people off voting for him.

Ellie and Vito did do really well, though, so well done to them for winning.

It was a very talented top three so it was a fabulous final, and as Craig said on the night, it’s incredible how far Strictly has come.

Well done to the whole team, as they can now enjoy a very well-deserved rest.

There is a Christmas Day special but that will be pre-recorded, so they can all sit down with their mulled wine and watch themselves.

Whatever you are doing on the day, happy Christmas from my family to yours.

IN THE SPIRIT: Party time with friends and, right, with Leona.