Cutting It actress Amanda Holden left her star status behind to spend the day chatting with a group of homeless self-starters at Portslade.

But she still managed to dazzle both the charity workers and residents of the Emmaus community with her down-to-earth and friendly attitude.

And while everyone at the organisation seemed to fall under her spell, the actress was so impressed she agreed to be a patron of the charity.

The star spent yesterday chatting to homeless people at the Emmaus community in Drove Road, while making a film for a new BBC One series. The programme, called Lifelines, focuses on the work of small charities operating across the UK to help raise their profile.

Amanda, who stars in the BBC drama series Cutting It, took time out from her performing schedule to front the show.

She mingled with some of the 36 residents living in the community, who have agreed to maintain the grounds and run a shop and cafe there in exchange for accommodation.

Deputy director of Emmaus Steve Nicol said: "Amanda was great. Celebrities can have big egos but she was very down to earth. She was friendly and personable - a thoroughly nice person.

"She was so impressed by what she saw she asked me what else she could do to help. I asked if she would consider being a patron for the charity and she immediately agreed."

Other patrons include Sir Richard Branson.