7 NIGHTS: POP STARS TANGLE WITH ABBAMANIACS, A GALA NIGHT AT THE BALLET AND WAXING LYRICAL ABOUT KYLIE.

Byline: with Sam Mann

I learnt to stand unaided, took my first step and gurgled my first ever word while Abba provided the background music, so it was only good manners that I show my appreciation by saying thank you for the music.

I persuaded my two favourite dancing queens, Dan and Dom, to accompany me to the Strand Theatre for a gala performance of Abbamania, celebrating 30 years of the band's classic hits.

From Fernando to Waterloo, we giggled and grooved our way through the Swedish supergroup's hits. We spotted Hear'Say's Myleene and Suzanne dancing in their seats and singing along - they'd both brought their mums along, so they could reminisce back to their carefree, platform-wearing days.

After the show, the two pop stars joined the performers and posed for some pics. As they struck their best Abba pose, it was all going snappingly well, until Myleene's outfit got stuck to one of the Abba members. A tense moment followed when it seemed the pair were inseparable, until one of my dancing queen dates came to her rescue and, after a quick fiddle, "Frida" was disentangled. Myleene was delighted and, thanks to Dan, Abbamania will continue its run at the Strand without the introduction of a fifth member.

If only I'd remembered to bring my milk crate, maybe I'd be able to see over the huge blue rinse mountain that was blocking my view.

It was 7.30pm, the Golden Jubilee Gala performance was due to start, but there was no sign of the Royal guest. When The Queen finally arrived at the entrance to the Royal Festival Hall, she gave a quick wave, then dashed in to take her seat. Meanwhile, I hotfooted it to the Covent Garden Piazza, grabbed a glass of wine and positioned myself to watch the ballet on a giant screen. As Darcey Bussell and Sylvie Guillem pirouetted around, I soaked up the sunshine and culture while patriotically waving my flag to the music.

It was 9am and the provocative pop princess clad in a red basque dress and thigh-high boots was down on all fours. You've guessed it, I was standing in front of Madam Tussaud's latest offering, Fever. They've made their model of Kylie interactive, so that when you get up close she breathes on your neck and whispers, "I just can't get you out of my head!"

That's all she says at the moment, but it won't be long before she has added, "Can't get you out of my face," or, "Bog off you flamin' drongo!" to her repertoire. The waxwork Kylie looked sensational and the likeness to her real-life counterpart was uncanny. Mind you, Fever is the result of her third sitting, so the wax workers should know every inch of her pint-sized body by now.

To add to the pop star experience, there's stage lighting, a pulsating dancefloor and a team of dancers to help you master those Kylie moves we all love. I'm not too sure about Fever, but the TV crews and snappers were certainly working up a sweat.

Daydreaming about what it must be like to be the Princess Of Pop, I headed downstairs for a coffee with The Beatles and to have my picture taken with The Queen - to make up for only catching a brief Royal glimpse earlier in the week. As I struck a pose, the Beefeater announced to a packed room, "Princess Sam from Birmingham". Well, who wants to be the Princess Of Pop when you can be the Princess Of Brum?

CAPTION(S):

ROYAL BALLET: Darcey Bussell (left) and The Queen; TAKING A CHANCE: Hear'Say's Myleene and Suzanne meet the four stars of Abbamania; BOTTOM'S UP: The Kylie waxwork at Madame Tussaud's