A CELEBRITY couple received “star treatment” after a short break in Purbeck ended in Poole Hospital.

Actor John Alderton and Shirley Valentine star Pauline Collins were staying at the Manor House Hotel in Studland last weekend when he suddenly felt ill.

After undergoing tests at Swanage health centre, Alderton, 70, best known for his roles in Upstairs, Downstairs, Thomas & Sarah and Please Sir!, went to Poole hospital for a check-up.

Now fully recovered, he contacted the Daily Echo to praise “the most wonderful care” he had received during his stay.

He said: “I think a bouquet is in order. My wife and I come down every now and then to Dorset and enjoy your fantastic county.

“The Manor House is one of our favourite places and Poole Harbour is always a breathtaking sight; everywhere you turn you see another film location.”

Mr Alderton, who has retired from acting, praised health centre staff, singling out Dr Robert Baker and “the wonderful team who saw me very quickly and decided I needed to be looked at in Poole hospital”.

“Once there, I was efficiently and confidently assessed with terrific communication by the whole team in Ansty ward.

“I’m sure we didn’t’ get special ‘star’ treatment because we observed that everyone there got the same ‘star’ treatment.

“I just feel it is right to shout the praises so that people in the area are reminded of the wonderful facilities they have.”

Alderton lives in London with Collins, 70, who was awarded the OBE in 2001 and is working on Mount Pleasant, a new drama comedy series.

The couple recently celebrated their Ruby wedding anniversary.

He revealed: “We both have connections with Dorset. My great great grandfather Bartlett, a sailor, lived in Church Road, Poole in 1841 before journeying up the East coast to Kings Lynn where he met a sweetheart and finished up in Hull as a river pilot. I was brought up there.

“Pauline was near Arne, as a little girl, during the war. Her father was a tank instructor at Bovington Camp.”

Phil Dowding, practice manager for Swanage medical practice, said: “We are always pleased to receive constructive feedback, which helps us ensure we are providing the best possible service.”