COLEEN McLOUGHLIN is taking a behind- the-scenes look at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Hospital in a Christmas Day documentary.

In the hour-long special, entitled Coleen’s Christmas At Alder Hey, Wayne Rooney’s wife gives viewers an insight into her personal connection with the hospital, takes a look at the important work of the staff and shares the excitement of the build-up to Christmas with the children being treated there.

Coleen takes viewers through the doors of the hospital to introduce them to a world full of activity as the patients and staff prepare for Christmas – hosting a Nativity play, hanging decorations and wrapping presents.

She also meets up with her parents, Tony and Colette, and her adopted sister Rosie, who suffers from a rare genetic disorder.

Coleen said: “Christmas is all about children, and the staff at Alder Hey work particularly hard to make Christmas on the wards memorable for all its patients. The hospital is particularly special to me as my little sister Rosie is a regular patient here. It’s a place of inspiration and hope, full of Christmas joy all year round.

“My family and I have had a long association with Alder Hey and I enjoy, now that Wayne and I are patrons, visiting some of the children especially at Christmas.

“It is amazing how resilient the children and their families are, and their spirit never fails to lift me and make me realise how lucky we really are to be fit and healthy.

“The work done here at Alder Hey at Christmas and every other day is truly an inspiration.”

The documentary also captures the arrival of Father Christmas, as he arrives in an RAF helicopter to deliver some early treats

COLEEN’S Christmas At Alder Hey will air at 9.25am this Christmas Day, on ITV1.

lizawilliams