TED Robbins hopes his on-stage heart attack and near death can help persuade people to learn basic first-aid skills.

The 59-year-old actor and BBC Radio Lancashire presenter, of Crawshawbooth, had a heart attack in front of a sell-out crowd at the Manchester Arena on January 31.

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But the Phoenix Nights star was saved by a paramedic in the audience. The paramedic rushed to the stage and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Ted, who opened a new clubhouse at Parkwood Lawn Tennis Club in Haslingden yesterday, said he has been easing himself back into normal life, and hopes to encourage youngsters to learn first aid.

He said: “I am back doing my radio show now, and will hopefully be doing some television by the end of the year. I have been following doctors’ orders and I have had wonderful treatment.

“Just by coincidence, Radio Lancashire were running a project to teach people basic lifesaving skills.

“So I am hoping that when I am back in full swing we could go into schools and do lots more.

“It is so important and it does not cost any money. On the continent the kids do it at school automatically.”

Ted, who said he lost several stones in weight since being ill, hopes to be back playing tennis at Parkwood soon.

He was a regular at the club’s Rusty Rackets sessions on Tuesdays before his heart attack.

And he was on good form as he officially opened the new £80,000 clubhouse, joking: “I will keep it short because my reputation for being on stage of late is not too good.”

Members are delighted with the new facility, which has been paid for by Sport England, Biffa Awards and Accrington firm FPW Axles.

Ted said: “Tennis is a wonderful sport and I have always loved it. It is a great community here in Rossendale and a wonderful place to live. I cannot think of a nicer place to be.

“It is a lovely clubhouse and I know the effort that has gone into this.”

The paramedic who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Ted was an Army medic before joining the ambulance service, and encouraged everyone to learn to perform the technique.