TV Comedian Hugh Dennis returned to the Isle of Dogs yesterday to the vicarage where he spent much of his childhood as a vicar’s son—to open a fate at his dad’s old church.

He was just a baby when his father, the Rev John Dennis, took over at Christ Church in Cubitt Town where he was vicar until 1971.

The star of TV shows such as Mock the Week, Have I Got News For You, Outnumbered and Radio 4’s Now Show opened the fete in the vicarage garden where he used to play as a kid in the 1960s.

“We finally got Hugh to return to his old neighbourhood after trying for a long time,” said the current vicar, Fr Tom Pyke. “He cut the ribbon and gave a speech as well as donated a prize to our raffle.”

Hugh kept newts in the bath at the vicarage when he was a kid, according to Fr Pyke.

The church was aiming for £4,000 for its community services in Millwall and Cubitt Town such as youth work, visiting the elderly and supporting schools on the Isle of Dogs.

The fete had stalls, community choir, raffle with prizes such as dinner for two at Canary Wharf’s Four Seasons and children’s activities.

Hugh Dennis moved away in 1971 when his dad was appointed vicar at Muswell Hill and later Bishop of Bishop of Edmonton in 1986.