Patients at two London hospitals won't need to switch on and watch Vintage Comic Strip: Susie (C4, Monday) to be entertained by the colourful Alan Pillay. He tries to devote two days a week to working as an unpaid auxiliary nurse at the Middlesex and University College Hospitals.

He first got involved in voluntary work after meeting Michael Hawthorne, a champion trampolinist from Essex, who has been deaf since birth. 'I was feeling down and sorry for myself, but meeting Michael made me realise my problems were nothing compared to his,' says Alan, who plays a rock star's minder in Susie. 'Now, if I can help a cause, I will,' he says.

Singer, dancer and actor Alan Pillay, who starred in many episodes of TV's ground-breaking 80s series The Comic Strip Presents (alongside Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Rick Mayall and Robbie Coltrane) will be hosting a delightful documentary for the BBC World Service. A long-standing and prominent performer in the gay theatre community, Alan will be anchoring the award-winning factual and informative programme Out Look. The programme is entitled 'Utopia' and will find Alan investigating our deepest dreams. He'll delve through the thoughts, aspirations and opinions of a wealth of fascinating guests, from stars to the transgendered to bricklayers, so switch on for another chance to be educated and illuminated by his truly unique personality. As for the show, its transmitted on September 22nd.

The torment of half-man, half-woman pop idol Alan Pillay is finally out in the open.

Pillay who shocked Top Of The Pops viewers when he appeared in drag to perform his hit Human Nature has spoken first time about his predicament.

Pillay, 30, who wears make-up, dresses in ladies clothes and answers to the name Lanah, spat: "I have had my fair share of ostracism and ridicule.

"But I am not a transvestite or a transexual. Nor, God forbid, am I a heterosexual. I have no hang-ups and I am able to allow myself just to be. What you see is what you get - if you cant accept it, you can lump it."

ALAN PILLAY BLOOMING CAREER
The Comic Strip Presents actor Alan Pillay is in huge demand since appearing in OK!.. Aside from forthcoming films Mutant Dog - A Life On The Run and The King Of The Ring, the comedian is also a star in his own show Hello La at the New end Theatre in Hampstead, London, from April 12.

ALAN PILLAY LAUNCHES HIS ONE-MAN SHOW
Alan Pillay, the self-confessed Disco Diva, launches his one-man autobiographical show Wide Open For You at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London Sw1 on March 13. Tickets are £10 and £8 concessions. Call the box office on 020-7287 2875 for details.