Collecting a degree is part of a big month for me

It was a great show and a complete sell-out. It's not very often I get the opportunity to perform this close to home so you guys really helped to make it feel special.

You certainly know how to have a good time too. Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm performing in the Midlands again so I can't wait to see you all at the next one.

Speaking of special, September's always a nice month for me. I have just celebrated my 37th wedding anniversary to hubby Tony (we drive each other mad but I love him to bits. And he continues to put up with me after all these years). It's also my birthday tomorrow, (although I won't be too specific on my age – I'll leave you all to guess).

However, this year's celebrations will always hold that much more significance as I was fortunate enough to be presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Music degree from the University of Wolverhampton. The degree is in recognition of what they said was an outstanding international contribution to R&B, soul and dance.

I think of all the birthday and anniversary presents rolled into one, I couldn't have asked for anything more. What an honour to be bestowed upon me.

Education is something that's always been very important to me, especially when it came to my own children. When I was young my education suffered after my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer when I was about 10. I wasn't in school on a regular basis as my mum had left us at this point.

They say that's the age when you're most likely to absorb new information. As as result of my prolonged absence I've always been conscious that I'm not the strongest reader in the world and there's some things I struggle with. Which is why receiving such a prestigious academic degree brought tears to my ears. To know that someone has recognised my signing voice, well, what can I say? I'm beyond touched.

I hope this inspires others who may doubt themselves that no matter what, if you have the talent, determination and in my case the right kind of people around to encourage and believe in you, the sky's the limit. You really can go on to achieve anything in life no matter where you come from.

So my second thank you this week has to go to the University of Wolverhampton. And a well done to all fellow graduates out there from Wolverhampton and beyond. I now understand even more so how much this means.

As for the next few weeks, I'll be a guest judge for Punjabi Wolves' very own Strictly Dancing with Wolves event on Friday, September 27, at the Civic Hall.

Local celebs will be put through their paces on the dancefloor and proceeds will go to Promise Dreams, Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), India Project and The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust. It's going to be a big one so if you'd like to join us for a great night out email news@punjabiwolves.co.uk for tickets.

And finally, seeing as I get to take it easy as a judge on the Friday, I'll be joining my good friends at Balls To Cancer on Sunday, September 29, at Aldersley Stadium for their 5km Family Fun Run. It starts at midday and will raise money to help boost awareness of cancer affecting men.

For more info and sponsorship forms email mark@ballstocancer.com and I look forward to seeing some of you there.