PIANIST Jamie Cullum swapped his piano for the captain's chair on Southampton's luxury liner Queen Mary 2 as he joined other celebrities on board for a star-studded charity ball.

Jamie was joined by former Brookside star and TV presenter Claire Sweeney on the bridge, as he was shown the controls of the world's largest passenger liner.

Celebrities including Olympic gold medallist skater Jayne Torvill, children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and EastEnders star Rudolph Walker, joined 1,800 other guests on board the vessel for the start of a glittering ball at sea staged by Somerfield supermarket in aid of the Association of Children's Hospices.

The event aims to raise more than £1m for the charity, which represents the UK's 38 children's hospices which provide respite care and support for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.