Chesney Hawkes pays a visit to Nan's Place in Bournemouth

The staff at Nan’s Place in Moordown were left open-mouthed when pop legend Chesney Hawkes walked through their door on Saturday afternoon.

Chesney, best known for his hit single 'The One and Only', was due to perform at the Bournemouth Pavillion with The Tremeloes that evening, but had made a stop at the popular café on the way.

The singer enjoyed hot drinks, pecan pie and cinnamon buns alongisde his son, brother, and other band members.

• Read more: Nan’s Place in Bournemouth crowned Café of the Year

He then made a cocktail from some of his favourite ingredients, which Nan’s Café will be putting on their menu as ‘The One and Only’.

Chesney Hawkes and Debbie Eades at Nan's Place (Image: Debbie Eades)

Café owner Debbie Eades described Chesney’s visit as “amazing”, and a “great surprise and experience”. She added: “He and all the family and band were so very lovely.

“He told me he thinks it’s so important to support and help small businesses and anything he can do he will."

The surprise visit continues what has been a great month for Nan’s Place.

At the beginning of the month, it was crowned winner of the Bournemouth Daily Echo’s Café of the Year competition 2022.

The café had come out on top following hundreds of votes and nominations for cafes across the conurbation.

Debbie only opened Nan’s Place in July 2021, but has already had a very successful year.

Chesney Hawkes at Nan's Place (Image: Debbie Eades)

Five facts about Chesney Hawkes:

• Chesney Hawkes was born on September 22, 1971 in Windsor
• His hit record ‘The One and Only’ was number one for five weeks in 1991 and reached the top 10 in the United States
• He started his career at the age of 19 when he appeared in the film Buddy's Song alongside Roger Daltrey
• Chesney appeared on Channel 4's The Games in 2005, winning a bronze medal
• His father is a member of the band The Tremeloes, and he has been supporting them on their 2022 tour