POP svengali Pete Waterman has returned to his North-East roots to film a festive show about his favourite Christmas carols.

The man who unveiled the musical talents of Kylie Minogue visited Beamish Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, to record a Songs of Praise programme for the BBC.

His family came from Stanley before moving to the Midlands and his grandfather, father and uncles worked in collieries in the north of County Durham.

Mr Waterman, a member of the judges panel on the recent ITV shows Popstars: The Rivals and Pop Idol, explores the attraction's 1913 town, colliery village and home farm.

The Hit Factory supremo, who ruled the charts in the early 1990s with acts including Jason Donovan, Rick Astley and Sonia, talks to members of staff in period costume and looks at some of the region's Christmas customs.

The show, which was filmed in November, also features Year Six pupils from East Stanley Primary School.

Headteacher Tony Blackett said: "Mr Waterman was very pleasant and really good with the children.

"He told them about how his family come from Stanley and went in at lunchtime to talk to them and answer questions about what it is like being famous.

"It also gave the children a look behind the scenes at how a television programme is made and they had to work very hard."

The end results can be seen in the 40-minute Songs of Praise Christmas Special on BBC1 on Boxing Day, at 3.40pm.

The museum is closed over the Christmas and New Year period.

Published: 15/12/2004