The return of coronavirus restrictions and the fascinating race for the festive number one are among the topics covered in the Tameside Radio presenter's latest column.

Another week, another new variant then. 

I’m feeling rather flummoxed at the constant reassurances from politicians that we should continue to make plans for a normal Christmas. 

It feels unsettlingly similar to around a year ago, when we were given the same advice, only for the rug to be pulled from under our feet at the last moment. 

Conspiracy theorists have also pointed out that ‘Omicron B’ is an anagram of ‘No Crimbo’, but that’s all a bit tin foil hat brigade. 

Joking aside, it is a real worry, and a situation that’s constantly evolving.

If the last 20 months have taught me anything, it’s that life shouldn’t revolve around what’s basically a roast dinner with a sprinkling of family rows, cracker jokes, excessive present buying and overcooked sprouts. 

The religious side of Christmas is obviously important to those who believe in it, but the same goes for Eid, Diwali and Hanukkah. 

There wasn’t the same fuss when Matt Hancock (remember him?!) tweeted at 10.15pm the night before Eid to say gatherings in parts of the north, like Bradford, were prohibited. 

My mother-in-law had to cancel her Eid plans, as did many others, and I don’t recall a big fuss being made about that. 

It would be like Sajid Javid waiting until the same time on Christmas Eve to make a major policy announcement via Twitter. Unthinkable.

I wore my face covering to watch House of Gucci on Tuesday, even though cinemas apparently are not on the list of places where they are mandatory. 

It’s good of the virus to leave us film fans alone. 

Indeed, the list of places included does feel rather arbitrary. While the weather is so chilly, a mask doubles up as a face warmer anyway, so I honestly don’t understand the toddler tantrums from some quarters about them. 

I am also baffled that there are still folk who wear them under their chins, or continue to go to the loo without washing their hands. There’s no helping some people, I guess.

As for the film itself, it was too long and bloated like me after a stuffed crust pizza. 

Why are so few movies 90-100 minutes these days?! Having said that, Lady Gaga was note perfect as Patrizia Reggiani, in the bizarre but true story of the Gucci family. 

Al Pacino was also reliably good, but the film itself is a bit all over the place. That’s not to say it isn’t worth a watch, but I’ve seen far better in the last six months. 

Gaga definitely deserves an award for her role though. In fact, I’d say she was the highlight.

Away from films and the pandemic, we’re officially into Christmas song season, which I’m delighted about! 

With The X Factor feeling like a distant memory, the race for the festive number one slot is wide open. 

Adele feels like she’s monopolised the upper echelons of the charts recently, but Ed Sheeran and Elton John release their festive song at the end of this week, and must be in with a shout. 

Abba also have a tinsel-topped tune from their recent Voyage album, and might be worth a cheeky flutter. It amazes me that Fairytale of New York has never got to number one too! 

It will be interesting to see who ends up on top when the Christmas chart is announced on December 24.

Just a quick note finally on the Action Together Toy Appeal. 

Huge thanks if you have donated an extra present. 

It’s been really heart-warming to drop into some of the collection points and see the piles of presents that will end up spreading a little sunshine this Christmas, and surprising kids who might otherwise have ended up with nothing to open on December 25. 

It’s easy to forget this, but there is still a lot of kindness in the world. 

The appeal is running for another week if you would like to help out. More details can be found here: https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/tameside-reporter/tameside-toy-appeal-2021-where-you-can-donate/ 

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