I am the envy of girls across the land I've been kissed and cuddled by Russell Brand! I went to photograph him performing a stand-up gig at Leeds City Varieties and got chatting to him in the bar afterwards.

There were swarms of girls around he's a real babe magnet despite, or maybe because of, his girly, camp persona and Goth get-up. It's a great image, if he cut his hair and wore regular clothes, you'd never recognize him.

I couldn't stand him on Big Brother's Big Mouth so I didn't have high hopes when I went along to see him, but I have to say his stage show was brilliant.

He's so clever... and he was on a mission to set the record straight about all the stuff that's been written about him and his womanizing in the tabloids.

Russell really took apart a news item in the Daily Star that claimed he'd tried to bed a particular famous woman he said it had been completely fabricated.

He even slammed the clumsy way it had been written and said he'd have made it much more glamorous and entertaining-sounding!
Russell a bit scary-looking up close with his huge eyes and big mouth also had a laugh onstage phoning a gay escort from a newspaper ad, from an audience member's phone.

Whatever he claims, it's obvious he adores being surrounded by swooning girls and it was hard to get his attention in the bar. Spying my press camera, he said: ''Ooh, where are you from?'' When I told him I was taking photos for my gay entertainment and lifestyle magazine, Bent, he made a big fuss of clinging to me, and cuddling and kissing me.

He's not bothered about anyone questioning his sexuality, but then with that reputation as Britain's foremost lothario, he doesn't need to be.

So, what else have I been up to? I met Pete from Big Brother at a book signing at Asda House in Leeds. I had wondered if the whole Tourette's swearing and shouting was a bit put-on, but I can exclusively report that he was exactly the same, behind the scenes with his publicity guys, before he met his book-buying public.

I persuaded him and a girl friend to come with me to see Alan Carr at Leeds City Varieties that night, but later on Pete decided he was too tired - and sent me a signed copy of his book to give to Alan.

Alan and me ended up on a pub crawl round Leeds' gay bars well, I say a pub crawl but I don't drink alcohol and Alan was on orange juice all night because he was driving back to Manchester. He complained to me that his geeky persona means he just can't pull.

Then, we got caught by a lurking photographer as we left The New Penny papped for the first time in my life! Sorry Alan, but I don't think being 'linked' with me will do wonders for your sex appeal somehow!

My civil partner Michael and I had our annual bonfire party, welcoming 800 people to our home and raising £8,500 for Cancer Research UK. It was a great do but we had 350 pies left over. So it'll be pies for breakfast, lunch and tea for a long time yet!