So Macho hit-maker recalls fear of Covid and its aftermath as she returns to city with musical

THE last time she was in Glasgow was almost her last time on stage, Sinitta has revealed. The star had a full-blown panic attack before going on at the King's Theatre as Mama Morton in Chicago.

- BY RICK FULTON

The show, the start of a UK tour, was also the first the theatre had run after being closed for 500 days because of the Covid pandemic.

Ahead of returning to the city on August 18 in a new tour of Chicago, the So Macho singer admitted: "The last time in Glasgow was opening week of Chicago at the King's in 2021. Everyone still had to sit a few seats apart as it was straight out of lockdown.

"I was petrified and had lost all of my confidence, and trembled like crazy, but I made myself do the show as I knew if I didn't, I may never perform ever again."

Sinitta had contracted Covid before the first lockdown after playing a "sweaty" club gig and said it was like she'd "swallowed a packet of razor blades". And like many people shed worried about what the world would look like and whether things would go back to normal after lockdown.

Sinitta has a history of anxiety and pulled out just before the launch of I'm a Celebrity in 2012 due to panic attacks when she realised the celebs would actually be living in a jungle.

But the mum of two is in a much better place now and can't wait to reprise her role as Mama in the latest tour, alongside ex-Strictly dancer Janette Manrara as Roxy Hart and Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly.

She said: "It is really symbolic and special that my final week of the tour will be back at The King's, to be finishing where it all started for me.

"I feel like a completely different person now, stronger, more confident, more robust and used to being out and about again. I was still so vulnerable and unsure of myself after lockdown."