A FAMILY from Atherton came face to face with movie superstar Patrick Swayze this morning when they were guests of the week on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast.

Teacher John Hodgson and wife Janice, with children Justin, 26, Carrie-Ann, 18 and Gareth, 15, have made daily appearances on the popular TV show as family of the week.

This morning the family, from Wigan Road, met the heart-throb star of Dirty Dancing and Ghost when he dropped in to be interviewed "on the bed" with Lily Savage.

Janice, 45, a postwoman in Atherton, said Swayze is one of her favourite stars.

Also appearing with the family are their three pet Vietnamese pigs. The programme has devoted a special feature to the animals, bought from Deane Farm in Bolton.

Tomorrow John, aged 50, will "Dish the Dirt" on the rest of the family when he will reveal their innermost secrets, but they will all have the opportunity to get their own back later. The family ended up on the programme after they received a hoax call from someone who told them they had been chosen to appear.

When they contacted the Big Breakfast office, they were told it must have been a practical joke but sent them application forms.

After returning them the family were amazed to find they had been picked.

John says pupils at Leigh Bedford High School, where he teaches history, were treating him like a celebrity last week when they knew he would be appearing on the show.

He said: "The whole thing has been a great experience because we have all been treated like VIPs. At first we were quite nervous and camera shy, but everyone has been really good to us."

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