FORMER EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison has taken to the Who Wants to be a Millionaire hot seat to win some much-appreciated cash for a south-east children’s charity.

The 47-year-old, who played Heather Trott in EastEnders, teamed-up with Not Going Out comedian Tim Vine to win money for the Children and Young People’s Service of EllenorLions Hospices (chYps).

Cheryl, who lives in Sidcup, wore a purple fairy dress with a wand and tiara for the panto-themed show that will be aired on December 9 on ITV at 6.40pm.

She said she was proud to help out the charity.

She told News Shopper: "ChYps is just an excellent charity. They do the most amazing stuff for children who have life-threatening diseases.

"They support not just the children but their families and that’s really important.

"I just wanted to put my name to something that’s really good."

The ex-soap star won The Weakest Link back in 2008, scooping £22,700 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

News Shopper: Cheryl is a 'champion' of chYps

But she found the experience much more nerve-wracking this time around.

She said: "It’s very stressful and panicky because of the time limit they have got now.

"It was very frightening, but it was great fun."

Cheryl has got a thirst for charity quiz shows, saying: "I want to do them all now!

"I want to do The Million Pound Drop next."

She could not say how much she won for chYps but she said: "Let’s just say I’m proud of what we did."

ChYps cares for children with serious conditions at their homes across Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley and Bexley

Tessa Youens, from ChYps, said: "We are so proud of her. It means the world to everyone who works here, the staff, the patients and their families.

"We only receive small percentage of funds and we rely on donations from the public so this is amazing."