PRESERVING the sweet, soaring music of Worcester Cathedral is obviously something Chris Tarrant holds dear to his heart.

But, as the legendary TV quizmaster and former Kings' schoolboy prepares to visit the awesome landmark for the first time in 20 years, he admits he's no choirboy.

"I'm completely tone deaf," said the Who Wants to be a Millionaire presenter, who will join a host of other celebrities to read at a Christmas concert for the Cathedral's £5m Appeal for Music and Light, on Saturday.

"But I want to support the future of the choir.

"It's a real labour of love.

"I also have great memories of the Cathedral as a child - I remember we used to file in like little crocodiles.

"I was also confirmed there by the Bishop of Worcester - more little crocodiles!"

Tarrant, a self confessed rebellious boarder at Kings in the early 60s, recently recalled his "very strict" schooldays in a fund-raising book of memories, although in 1999, he went one step further, describing the school as a "modern day Iran".

Born in Reading, the ex-teacher who went into showbusiness because "it seemed like a cushy number", became an overnight success with the children's slapstick show, Tiswas, followed by Tarrant on TV.

But his ultimate claim to fame, which launched his glowing career into the 21st Century, has to be Millionaire, currently televised in 120 countries.

"People seem to think that after doing so many I should give it up, but I find it fascinating," he said.

"We've just recorded all the Christmas ones, one of which featured George Michael - a big scoop.

"But even the normal shows are still great. It's so fascinating to sit opposite someone, knowing that they might win enough money to change their life.

"It's such a simple format, I think that's why it's such a success. When we did the pilot in July 1998, we never thought it would be so big.

"I'm immensely proud of it. It's British. It's a success."

His other big passion is wildlife, in particular, badgers, which he enjoys watching roam around his garden.

"I'm the Patron of the Wildlife Trust, in Leatherhead, Surrey, and we raise money for domestic pets, and other wildlife," he said.

"You wouldn't believe what people do - the worst one, recently, was a badger we found abandoned that someone had been keeping as a pet. They'd removed its claws.

"But I also campaign for elephants and rhinos. I'm a real country person, even though I live so much in cities.

However, although Tarrant has often been accused of being a tireless workaholic, it's clear he also plans to put his feet up over Christmas.

"I'm doing a radio show on Capital FM on Christmas morning, before going home for a large lunch, and an enormous drink," he said.

"For New Year, I'm going to Brunei. But I've just found out it's bloody dry, so I shall spend New Years' Eve with a glass of water.

Finally, what would the man, renowned for asking million pound questions, ask himself?

"Hmm, that's difficult," he said. I suppose I would ask me if I was actually a happy man because people can't believe that I'm as happy as I sound on the TV and radio."

And the answer?

"I'm not telling."