TRACY Dawson has spoken of the shock request for her to stand in for Princess Alexandra on the eve of yet another Royal marriage crisis hitting the headlines. The widow of Fylde funnyman Les stepped into Princess Alexandra's shoes to tour a cancer day-care centre in Preston after the Princess had pulled out of the engagement 24 hours before.

Tracy had been told Princess Alexandra was too ill to attend, but reports the following day in the national press fuelled speculation she had cancelled to spend time with her daughter Marina, whose marriage to Paul Mowatt had hit the rocks.

Hundreds of people were looking forward to seeing the popular Royal at Vine House, but a smile was soon put back on their faces when Tracy agreed to pay them a visit.

She spent hours chatting to cancer patients and their families and enjoyed every minute of it.

"I met such nice people," she enthused. "The visit really put life into perspective for me. It made me realise what life is all about.

"Everyone at Vine House does a brilliant job caring for the patients and their families. I was just pleased to help."

She added it was a real honour to stand in for Princess Alexandra and sends her sympathy on to the family, explaining: "Les and I also had our problems but you just have to go out and face it."

Meanwhile, Princess Alexandra's husband Sir Angus Ogilvy denied his wife had been made ill by their daughter's marital problems or had a diplomatic illness.

"She has a terrible virus," he said. "She didn't fall ill for diplomatic purposes. Unfortunately she had to cancel engagements, but she is also terribly sad."

It was good news for Tracy this week after Morrison's extended her trolley-dash promotion for a further week.

Customers have been invited to enter a raffle to win a dash around the Squires Gate store, the proceeds of which will be added to those raised by the Les Dawson Golf Tribute on May 7.

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