TV funny man John Thomson insists he isn't suffering from 'cold feet' after being asked to perform in a West End musical in aid of a local children's hospice.

John, from the cult TV shows Cold Feet and the Fast Show, is to appear at Preston's Charter Theatre in the top West End musical 'Return to the Forbidden Planet'.

The Charity Players, in association with Seriously Entertaining, are presenting the amateur production of the forgotten Shakespearean rock and roll masterpiece.

John, whose father is administrator for St Catherine's Hospice, Lostock Hall, will play the cameo role of newscaster in the sci-fi classic -- a role formerly played by astronomer Patrick Moore.

The show includes dramatic features of comic capers, special effects and a live band on stage playing classic hits from the 50s and 60s -- including the ever popular 'Great Balls of Fire' and 'The Young Ones'.

The play, based on 50s sci-fi film Forbidden Planet is an adaptation of Shakespeare's The Tempest which took the world by storm in 1989.

The musical has been re-vamped in aid of St Catherine's Hospice -- with all proceeds going in to the hospices' coffers.

The show tells the story of a group of space travellers who get caught in an asteroid storm and end up on the planet of D'yllria.

Following the disappearance of the traveller's science officer, Ariel, the family robot, goes on a mission to find her. And on their return, exciting secrets are revealed!

Promising to be a night of fun and laughter, the play combines a high-tech, fast moving rollercoaster performance with classic Shakespeare quotes, an unforgettable soundtrack and plenty of audience participation, proving it is not a show to be missed!

The play runs from Wednesday May 2 to Saturday May 5 and tickets, priced £5 on Wednesday and £7.50 on Thursday to Saturday, can be booked by calling the box office on 258858.