A cancer centre welcomed two celebrity guests as staff were praised for their work supporting seriously ill patients.

TV presenter Denise Van Outen and Duncan James, who was in boy band Blue, surprised staff at the Macmillan Horizon Centre next to Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital and chatted about their work.

The pair, who have recently released a single together, gave staff a hamper full of sweet treats to thank them for their work.

Denise, whose grandparents died after being diagnosed with cancer, said: “For anyone who has a family member diagnosed with cancer, it completely floors you.

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“I lost my grandad in 1995 and ten years later I lost my nan, eight months after she was diagnosed with cancer as well. It was truly lovely to be able to visit the Macmillan Brighton Horizon Centre to meet some of the staff and professionals working to help support people living with cancer and be able to let them know personally how amazing they are.”

The thank you comes as staff prepare to celebrate Macmillan’s Coffee Morning next week with proceeds from the event going to the cancer support charity.

The nationwide event will take place on Friday, September 29.