Marco Pierre White visits Alder Hey

Celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White, showed a softer side to his fiery TV temperament when he visited Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

The Hell's Kitchen star put a smile on patients' faces as he chatted about football, favourite foods and life on our TV screens.

The visit was prompted after executive nurse, Moya Sutton, met him at the opening of The Swan Inn in Aughton. When asked to sign a book for a fundraising giveaway, Marco pledged to go one better and visit the hospital.

During his visit Marco paid tribute to the 'fantastic' care provided by staff and the 'determination' shown by patients in their battle to get well.

Marco said: "I'm in awe of the staff and patients. They do fantastic work to achieve remarkable results and the children's determination and bravery to overcome adversity is spectacular.

"There's a great spirit of togetherness with everyone - staff, patients and families - all pulling in the right direction to get better."

Executive nurse Moya Sutton gave Marco a guided tour of the oncology unit, she said: "I introduced myself to Marco at the launch of his new restaurant The Swan Inn in Aughton. I told him where I worked and how there is a picture of him on the wall, which led to him saying he would love to visit and learn more about what we do.

"The children have loved having him here, as have the staff and families who took great pleasure in quizzing him on all food related matters."

Marco was in Chester yesterday (11^th March) opening his second restaurant - Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar & Grill at the Doubletree by Hilton Chester. The move along with Marco Pierre White at The Swan Inn represents a significant coup for Sanguine Hospitality which, with the help of Marco's long-standing friend and local restaurant entrepreneur Francis Carroll, successfully enticed the Hell's Kitchen star to embark on his first UK venture outside the South of England.