AS he recalls the father he lost to cancer when he was just 14 years old, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star Craig McLachlan is momentarily reflective.

The normally madcap Aussie actor, who made his name in Neighbours and is currently starring as Caractacus Potts at The Mayflower theatre in Southampton, said his dad Peter's death had left a profound mark upon his own life.

"I lost my dad at the tender age of 14 after a lengthy battle. He was diagnosed with bowel cancer when I was 11.

"It was a brutal, terrible time.

"You live through cancer first hand in the family and it never leaves you.

"My dad was only in his 40s when he died and now I'm 41 and I still feel young and fit and vibrant - it makes you think about it," he said.

Craig revealed his father was uppermost in his thoughts as he started the Race for Life event on Southampton Common.

"I think about him all the time but particularly last Sunday. I met a lady there who was running for her dad who had died from stomach cancer and I told her I had lost my dad in similar circumstances - I told her if I wasn't born with block and tackle I would have been running with her," he said.

It's the first time Craig has been involved with Race for Life and he admitted he was blown away by the atmosphere. Around 10,000 women completed the 5km course on Southampton Common and they were joined by their husbands, boyfriends and families all cheering them on.

"It was brilliant. We got there quite early and there were a few groups of people scattered about.

"But within 45 minutes of getting there the girls came and were supported lovingly by their familes, friends, boyfriends and husbands.

"Of the estimated 10,000 women who took part, I must have met 9,000 of them," he said.

Craig joked that he was mauled by the crowd of eager women and many took the chance to pinch his bottom.

"I was a little black and blue I have to tell you.

"I'm a fairly robust guy but these were no gentle pinches," he added.

He gave up his day off from the theatre to get involved with Race for Life but even when he had left the Common, Craig remained caught up in the emotion of the day.

"I got back to the theatre and popped out for a coffee when I saw a lot of girls on their way back from the Common with their medals.

"So I ended up spending another hour in the park having my photo taken with all the girls," he said.

He was so affected by the atmosphere of the day that he has asked theatre bosses to give women who took part a £10 discount on tickets for Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.

He said: "I was so thrilled by your efforts; I wanted to give you all something back. (Without giving you all the chance to squeeze my buns again).

"The Mayflower have kindly let me give all 10,000 of you a reward with the chance to come and see me in Chitty.

"So bring your Race for Life medals to the box office and get £10 off your ticket.

"I look forward to seeing you again soon - don't forget to see me at the stage door for a squeeze afterwards."

Sadly each year just under half the women who take part in the Race for Life fail to return any sponsorship money so the paper is putting its efforts into encouraging women to ensure they make a donation.

Craig is adding his weight to the campaign and has recorded a special message for everyone who took part to watch on the Daily Echo website.

"The really difficult part is coming up now and that is getting the dough.

"Please be mindful of getting those pledges in and collecting that sponsorship money," he said.