TELEVISION funny man Alistair McGowan is set to make a big impression on pupils of Hereford Cathedral Junior School when he appears as guest of honour at their annual prize giving ceremony in July, writes HEATH ASTON.

The master of celebrity impersonations and star of his own show on BBC1 has agreed to present awards to the children at Hereford Cathedral on July 12.

McGowan, originally of Evesham in Worcestershire, was invited to attend by a friend who is also a Cathedral School parent and will travel from London especially to be there.

Junior School headmaster, Tim Lowe, said: "I'm dreading it a bit because I'm sure he can do a pretty good headmaster impression. We're not exactly sure whether it will be Alistair McGowan who is going to turn up or one of his many characters."

McGowan boasts a repertoire of over 100 impersonations including Tony Blair, David Beckham and Richard Madeley, of Richard and Judy fame.

Best comedy

In its three seasons on the nation's television screens, Alistair McGowan's Big Impression has won the best comedy entertainment award at the British Comedy Awards, Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Awards and the prestigious Variety Club comedy award.

McGowan also provided the voices of Tony Blair, Chris Eubank, Prince Charles and Hugh Grant for satire show, Spitting Image.

Since making his debut as an actor in Worcester he has pursued a parallel stage career to his comedy work with credits including Art, Kafka's Dick and Endgame.

He was Spock in the award-winning BBC series Preston Front and Redwald in ITV's Dark Ages.

He is not the first big name to hand out the prizes at HCJS, The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was the guest of honour in 2000.