Coronation Street star and comedian, Ted Robbins made an emotional plea to health bosses to reverse a decision to downgrade Wythenshawe hospital, speaking in front hundreds of residents and campaigners.

Mr Robbins recounted how he received lifesaving treatment at the hospital after collapsing on stage the Phoenix Nights show.

And now, the hospital is to lose its specialist status for general surgery, prompting staff and the local residents to launch a “Keep Wythenshawe Special” campaign which has included a legal challenge to the decision and a march from Newall Green School to the town centre.

Mr Robbins, who is currently playing eccentric Mary’s love interest in the soap, told the crowd: “I am having a wonderful life now. I’ve filmed my first scenes with Rita and Norris in the Kabin and none of that would have been possible without that incredible team at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Consultant surgeon, Andrew Macdonald, said a decision on the outcome of the campaign’s legal challenge is due on Monday (November 9) and is expected to give leave for a judicial review to examine the arguments against the plan.

Mr Macdonald told the Reporter the removal of general surgery would be a major health and safety issue. He said: “What has happened is totally unfair. The people who made this decision carried a consultation process and then moved the goal posts. But we are now hopeful there will be a  court hearing some time in December.”

Hundreds of residents and campaigners marched into Haletop Civic Centre led by a local Irish pipe band where Labour’s Wythenshawe MP Mike Kane Stretford and Urmston’s Kate Green and Altrincham Tory MP Graham Brady addressed the crowd.