Mr Bean backs hospital

His creator, comedian Rowan Atkinson, who lives in Waterperry, is starring in Mr Bean's Holiday. The premiere took place at the Odeon in Leicester Square, London, on Sunday.

The Mr Bean film-makers have chosen the Oxford children's hospital, which opened in January, to benefit from the charity premiere. Comic Relief will also benefit.

Alice Gosling, director of fundraising for Chox, said: "We are delighted to be associated with the Mr Bean character, who is loved by children and adults around the world.

"We are also extremely grateful to the film-makers, who are helping us ensure that 65,000 children each year get the best care in the best setting at the new children's hospital.

"We really don't know how much money will be raised, but we are delighted to have been chosen by the Mr Bean film-makers, and this helps to create awareness of the hospital among a whole new audience."

Fundraiser Caroline Compston, who organised the Dorchester Abbey carol concert at the end of last year, which raised about £50,000 for the children's hospital, approached Universal Studios and Working Title Films to ask if they would donate proceeds from the premiere, and they agreed.

She said: "Rowan Atkinson knows about the children's hospital because he lives in Oxfordshire, and he is supporting us, but it is the Mr Bean consortium which is behind this, not just Rowan Atkinson.

"I am delighted they have agreed to do this, because it will give massive publicity to the children's hospital."

Previews of the film opened in cinemas at the weekend, and the film opens across the UK on Friday.

Mr Atkinson's agent Rebecca Turner confirmed that the comedy star was donating proceeds from the premiere but added that he was unavailable for comment as he was in Berlin, completing a series of "gruelling" interviews to promote the movie.

The comic, a graduate of The Queen's College, is the latest celebrity to pledge his support for the £30m hospital.