A University of East Anglia (UEA) graduate turned children's TV star returned to Norwich to take part in a spectacular science show at the Theatre Royal yesterday.

Peter Cocks, aka The Doc from ITV's the Ministry of Mayhem, presented The Bigger Bang!, a spectacular exhibition of chemistry demonstrations seasoned with Laurel and Hardy style slapstick comedy.

He was joined by Professor Hal Sosabowski as co-presenter.

The touring show is aimed at families and schools and the audience was made up of schoolchildren from all over Norfolk, including Framingham Earl and Greshams School.

The children enjoyed the mess and explosions courtesy of The Doc and Professor Hal's sidekick, Sideshow Firework Mike. One of the highlights was the adventurous 12 experiments in 12 minutes.

They also enjoyed the Q&A session at the end, asking such questions as, 'what do aliens look like?' and 'why can't you eat poo if you can drink wee?'

Mr Cocks, who graduated in Fine Art and Music in 1981, attending UEA at the same time as The Fast Show's Charlie Higson, said: 'This dresses science up in pantomime. It's about stimulating an interest but there is real science in there and real scientific outcomes.

'I'm delighted to come back, Norwich is a fantastic town. The kids were fantastic, very well behaved, we didn't get anything thrown at us, and they were very enthusiastic.'

The show was brought to Norwich by Dr Stephen Ashworth from UEA's School of Chemistry.