And in the end...

I’ve spent the day trying to take it all in! After a year of filming, interviewing and producing and six months since The Real Full Monty shows in March 2019, my documentary film ‘Out of Their Comfort Zone’ premiered last night (9th September) at The Gatehouse Theatre in Stafford.

I thought the shows back in March were emotional, but I wasn’t quite prepared to go through it again last night. Having seen the film (and all the raw footage) thousands of times and with all the nerves of 'releasing my baby into the wild' I wasn’t even sure if I could sit through it again.

But… sitting with an audience who were watching it for the first time was a different (and amazing) experience. There were tears, laughter, even applause throughout and that was quite overwhelming.

But then… I got a standing ovation (nearly lost it while stood on the stage alone), Rich’s proposal to Evie and then spending a few hours being hugged and told how amazing the film and I were (sometimes by random strangers) was incredibly emotional. I struggled to keep it in at times, struggled (but coped) with the accolades and didn’t even feel like I wanted to run away!

I was so nervous beforehand, but I also knew deep down everyone would love it, as my friend Rachel Jordan rightly said before it started, I wouldn’t have put it out there if I wasn’t totally happy with it. However, I'll still always say, that it could only be as good as it's subjects, so to the class of 2019, you made it what it is ❤️

So, thank you all that came, thank you all for your kind messages and thanks to those who have bought the DVD. If you haven’t got one yet you can buy it here.

As you will expect I’m tired today, it’s a mental exhaustion as much as physical and it’s made me very emotional. Again. All day!

There are lots of pictures floating around on our Facebook page and from everyone who was there. Especially Paul’s, they’re briiliant, have a look on his page Photography By Paul Milgate-Scarrott. However, the one I’ve attached to this post is my favourite.

My children took my breath away with the emotion they showed. As soon as my company logo appeared at the start Dan started crying, that goodness for Laura who looked after him. But by the end both of them along with Kate were all in floods. When I appeared from backstage at the end they both ran to me and hugged me, all of us in tears. I’ll not forget that in a hurry.

On his way home Dan turned to my Dad and said: “I’ve got the best Dad, I couldn’t have a better one”.

That’s all I need ❤️