REVEREND David Watkin was transformed into a TV star for the day when children interrupted his church service to bring a live broadcast marking his retirement.

The young media hounds, who all belong to the junior church at St Philip and St James Church, Milton, created the mock TV programme as a surprise goodbye present yesterday.

And soon after David and wife Jackie were being whisked off to be interviewed as special guests on the 'Talk The Talk' show.

Surrounded by pretend cameras, boom microphones and lights, the couple were quizzed about their long association with the church and what they would miss there.

David also revealed his most embarrassing moment as vicar – when he'd lost weight and his trousers almost fell down during a service.

He said: "My best moment at this church was this moment now."

Five-year-old Lucy Marren, from Milton, led tributes to him yesterday.

She told the congregation-turned TV audience: "I think he's the best vicar ever."

David described the children's broadcast as "marvellous" that he was sad to be leaving.

He said: "Some people say that when you leave your parish, you leave a large part of your family behind. That is very true.

"I look upon the people here as part of my extended family."

David has been delivering services at St Philip and St James for the last eight years.

But his links with the parish church date back to his own childhood, growing up in Milton.

He was married there 44 years ago and has even baptised his own grandchildren at the same church.

The former Hanley High pupil originally went into accountancy and rose to become Michelin's chief accountant, before deciding to train for the ministry.

He was ordained 25 years ago and has also served at Christ Church, Tunstall, in an inner-city London parish, and at St John the Evangelist, in Trent Vale.

David and Jackie have decided to spend their retirement in Milton.

"I love the parish," said David. "I feel there is a role for the parish church as an integral part of the local community."

There was a packed church yesterday as generations of well-wishers gathered to hear his last service.

Pat Hopewell, aged 64, from Milton, said: "I've been coming to this church for four years. David is like a friend. He's so nice. You can talk to him and also joke with him. I'll miss him."

Pam Tinsley, from Hanley, shared the sentiment. The 65-year-old said: "David is a lovely, caring person. He's also not afraid to speak his mind.

"He has brought a lot of humanity to the church. It was a lovely church before, but it's become a human church with David here."

Nine-year-old Jack Stanyer, from Milton, played the role of a roving reporter during the children's tribute to the vicar.

He said: "He's funny and exciting. But sometime he's not in tune with the songs. We want him to stay, not go."

David and his wife were also presented with an array of gifts at a celebration lunch following the church service.