ACTOR and comedian Hugh Dennis paid a special trip to a local hospice last week.

The popular TV personality, who is a panellist on the BBC 2 programme Mock the Week, visited St Michael’s Hospice on Friday, where he met with staff, patients and volunteers.

He visited the hospice with his father John Dennis, a retired bishop, who has been a long-standing supporter of St Michael’s, in Aldermaston Road.

David Monkman, chief executive of the hospice, said: “We were thrilled when Bishop John let us know Hugh would like to visit the hospice.

“Hugh spent a long time meeting patients, families, volunteers and staff, nothing was too much trouble and he was a real gentleman.

“We look forward to welcoming him back in the near future and I would like to thank him for choosing to support us.”

During his visit, the actor posed for a number of ‘selfies’ with patients, volunteers and staff.

Junior sister Kate Valentine said: “It was an absolute pleasure to meet Hugh, he is such a down-to-earth and lovely man.

“The whole team was delighted that he was able to visit and spend so much time at the hospice, and meet so many members of staff. It is a real boost for morale that someone like Hugh can appreciate the vital services that we provide here at the hospice.”

Iain Cameron, director of income generation, agreed, saying the visit had a big impact on those at the hospice.

He said: “It was fantastic for Hugh to spend a few hours with us, you could see the joy it brought to the staff and the patients.

“It caused a real buzz around the unit.”

He said he hoped the Outnumbered actor, who also works as a writer, impressionist and voice-over artist, would be able to attend future events.

He added: “He promised me he would make every effort to do so.”

The hospice cares for local people with life-limiting illnesses free of charge and needs to raise around £2.4million each year to continue to provide these services.

For more information on how to make a donation, visit stmichaelshospice.org.uk.