AS ONE of the star of Mrs Brown's Boys, actor Gary Hollywood is no stranger to shaggy dog stories.

Yet his new role as a patron of the charity Canine Concern Scotland is giving him even more paws for thought.

The TV star visited patients at the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice together with a four-year-old Old English Sheepdog called Willow.

Willow became a popular pedigree chum to patients using the day services unit, including Mary McCollum.

The visit was part of the regular Therapet service offered to patients and their families at the Clyde-side hospice.

While he was there, the actor, who first starred in Taggart as a 12-year-old schoolboy, was able to see ambitious plans for a new hospice at Bellahouston Park.

Gary, who plays Dino Doyle in Brendan O'Carroll's stage show-turned-BBC1 sitcom, pledged his support to the Brick by Brick appeal, which is aiming to raise £15 million towards the cost of the build.

Gary said: "The hospice provides vital support to people all across Glasgow who have a terminal illness and I've been a supporter for many years now.

"I'm getting behind their Brick by Brick Appeal and I would strongly encourage everyone to make a donation or to organise a fundraiser so that they can build a brand new hospice in Bellahouston Park."

Since it was founded in 1988, Canine Concern Scotland has brought companionship and laughter to people in care homes, hospices and long-stay wards in hospitals. It currently has more than 500 active Therapet volunteers across Scotland.

Willow's owner is Therapet trustee and retired firefighter James Macdonald, from Shawlands, who has been visiting the hospice with his rescue dogs for 26 years.