Much-loved fundraiser Big Pink Dress to star in ITV's Tyne and Wear Metro documentary

Charity champion, Colin Burgin-Plews announced that he would feature in the four-part documentary series which follows the ins and outs of life on the Tyne and Wear Metro.

The show named Metro: A Rail Life Story, which began on ITV on Tuesday, January 14 has been created to mark the network’s 40th anniversary.

In an episode which airs on Tuesday, February 11 the documentary will focus on how staff coped with the one of the busiest days of the year, the 2019 Great North Run, with Colin set to play a starring role.

Speaking to the Gazette, he revealed how the show’s producers approached him last year, not long after he had suffered a health scare.

"I had just come out of hospital and it was a little bit up in the air at the time whether I would be ever be doing it again,” he said.

In July 2019 he was admitted to hospital after experiencing chest pains and numbness in his arm and doctors told him he had a problem with a valve in his heart.

The episode follows Colin in the weeks leading up to the Great North Run as he feared he wouldn’t be fit enough to take part.

They captured his last minute decision to run on the day itself and the moment he crossed the finish line in his black and yellow dress in aid of South Tyneside's Kids And Young Adults Klub (KAYAKS).

“I had just gone down to support on the day, but I turned around and said I was going to do it,” said Colin, who insists he tried to stay objective on camera.

“It was lovely to be able to take part in the show. Everybody knows the problems with the Metro – I did mention that a few times - but I don’t know whether they have put it in.”

He added: “I can’t wait to see it. I still get blown away by all the support in the North East and I hope everyone will be tuning in.”

See the full episode on Tuesday, February 11 at 7.30pm.