Mary, you're my Coo-Ca Choo!

May 1 2007 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail

GLAM rock king Alvin Stardust and former EastEnders star Nick Bailey took a break from hit musical Boogie Nights to bring a smile to patients at a Birmingham hospice.

The entertainers were a hit with everyone at Birmingham St Mary's Hospice as they toured the Selly Park centre chatting with patients and joking with staff.

The duo had to be back on stage for the last two performances of the 1970s musical extravaganza which has been running at Birmingham's Hippodrome for the past week.

Brummie Nick, aged 35, who stole hearts as Dr Anthony Trueman in EastEnders, is a staunch supporter of the hospice.

He said: "It's always great coming back to Birmingham and I love supporting the hospice. I've found it to be an incredibly rewarding experience."

Alvin said: "All my band come from Birmingham so I can't say anything bad about the place. I always love coming here because the city is so friendly. I always say that once you get past Watford Gap it gets a lot warmer."

The pair signed T-shirts which will later be auctioned off to raise hospice funds.