ENTERTAINER Les Dennis has paid tribute to an inspirational Hampshire teenager who died from a rare form of cancer.

The 56-year-old game show host, opened a Romsey fun day organised by George’s Trust, a charity launched in memory of George O’Brien.

George a keen sportsman who played rugby, football and tennis, was only 17 when he died in 2008 after contracting acute lymphoblastic lymphoma.

He went to Romsey School and Peter Symonds College in Winchester and was also a member of Romsey Abbey Choir.

The trust aims to support teenagers in the Romsey and Winchester areas by funding research into cancer, providing awards for choral scholarships and making grants to local organisations.

Les, currently appearing in Hairspray at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, agreed to open the fun day after meeting George’s parents, Joe and Jane.

He told the crowd: “I never knew him but he sounds like he was a wonderful lad and a credit to his family. When I first heard about the trust I was really touched.”

A tribute on the George’s Trust website describes him as a kind-hearted person who always thought of others.