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When Della, my producer, and I were discussing mid week what we'd put in the show we had our heads in our hands. "Nothing's happening! How are we going to fill an hour?" But as ever in news, stuff happens, and in politics, well, a week's a long time. By Friday we worrying about how we'd fit it all in: two resignations, allegations of a , further allegations of phone hacking, and a former . Plenty for my panel to get stuck into.

Joining me in the studio to make sense of it all were PR man Martin Raymond, writer Kirsty Scott, and Magnus Gardham, political editor of the Daily Record. Magnus was in his element with all the political intrigue.

Later we took a break from the politics to hear from my special guest, the Irish Jazz Blues singer. Mary's is an extraordinary story of survival and forgiveness. Having suffered years of sexual abuse as a child, she went off the rails big time: alcoholism, drug addiction, but in the middle of it all she managed to hold down a hugely successful career and a raise a family. She almost lost it all and spoke movingly about the effect her alcoholism had on her children. Eventually she pulled herself out of her downward spiral and conquered her demons. She talks with a remarkable lack of self pity considering what she's been through. When I put that to her she told me her counsellor used to tell her "Ach Mary, will you get of the f***ing cross!" The Irish approach to healing perhaps, but it worked.

Finally on the show we had an argument about whether Ricky Gervais went too far with his jokes when he hosted the . Kirsty and Magnus couldn't agree on this one. Listen to one of his riskier one liners and see what you think. Personally I predict he'll be back doing it again next year.