A HOST of stars turned out for the fourth annual Pop 4 Diabetes dinner at Bournemouth’s Royal Bath Hotel on Saturday.

X-Factor winner Steve Brookstein and Hollyoaks actress and singer Alice Barlow took their turns on stage, while Charlie Jones, who used to play Ben Mitchell in Eastenders, was among the guests.

Child star Connie Talbot, from Britain’s Got Talent, performed a set which included Somewhere Over the Rainbow and When You Wish Upon a Star.

She sang as the 240 guests watched a short film about Christopher Hall, the six-year-old boy with diabetes who found dead alongside his father in Parkstone, Poole, in August.

Iris Board from Parkstone, who was inspired to set up the charity by her son Shane, a singer with diabetes, said the event raised around £5,000.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” she said. “I think this was our best yet.”

She added: “It was absolutely silent when Connie was singing over the film about Chris. Very emotional.”

The profits went to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which funds research into type 1 diabetes.

The event has been pencilled in for the same time next year and there are also plans for a Dance 4 Diabetes fundraiser in April.

Shane Board, 22, released a charity single for Diabetes UK in September and performed alongside McFly and Alesha Dixon at Sandown Park, Surrey, in August.

He is also releasing Your Day Will Come for World Diabetes Day on November 14, which was written by Simon Ellis, the man behind S Club 7 hits like Reach.