HOME-grown superstar Mark Addy has cracked up America - by going native.

We remember Mark when he was a York Theatre Royal stagehand with barely enough money for a packet of fags. Then came the worldwide hit The Full Monty, and the classically-trained actor's life changed forever.

Despite stardom, he always retained a soft spot from his home town, moving back here from London before the Full Monty was released.

But it is his ability to dispense with his Yorkshire roots which have brought him greater success across the Pond.

He is one of the co-stars of Still Standing, the sitcom on CBS which has proved to be a popular addition to US TV.

Mark plays Bill Miller, a Chicago toilet salesman. "I had to spend a lot of time with a dialect coach to try and get rid of my strong accent," he admitted. "It is hard work."

It seems to have paid off, however. In a television question and answer column for an American publication, a correspondent from Las Vegas asked: "While watching the People's Choice Awards, I noticed that Mark Addy from 'Still Standing' had an English accent. Since he doesn't talk like that on the show, I was wondering whether he really has an accent or was that just a put on?"

Another confused viewer was equally stunned. In a message posted to an entertainment website she wrote: "Still Standing is the only show I've seen him on - I saw him on Ryan Seacrest Show - I was like WHA?????"

SHOPPERS at Tesco, Clifton Moor, will get to try the new self-service checkout on Monday.

If it is anything like the one your Diarist used in a Leeds Sainsbury's at the weekend, they are in for a blast.

What shopper has not secretly harboured a wish to wave their barcodes over the scanner to hear that satisfying "blip" of recognition?

We had two problems. Firstly a discounted loaf of bread would not register, and later the machine rejected our £20 note (the ink was still wet).

On both occasions a supervisor was instantly on hand to help out. So you get all the fun of DIY shopping with your very own expert to boot.

We nearly bought some more things just to have another go.

MORE from the York earthquake "news" item. Readers will recall how the story told of a quake devastating Tang Hall, causing £17.55 worth of damage. Now read on...

"One resident, Tracy Sharon Smith, said: 'My hands were shaking so much I could hardly shoot up when I was watching Trisha the next morning.'

"Another resident, Mally, said: 'This won't stop me working. The burglaries and graffiti will not do themselves.'

"How can you help? The appeal hopes to raise money for food, and clothing parcels are much sought after.

"Most needed are Kappa tracksuits (his and hers), white socks to tuck tracksuit bottoms into, Burberry caps, woolly Benny hats and Reebok trainers.

"Alcohol is in short supply, mainly Lambrini, White Lightning cider and Carlsberg Special Brew.

"Cash donations are also needed: 22p buys a biro for signing-on purposes, £1.50 buys cheese and chips and £26 buys 200 Regal from Tommo who has just come back from Kavos."

WE can't add much to the excellent obituary of Patrick Nuttgens by Steve Carroll in last night's paper, other than say he was always a pleasure to talk to.

Funny, interesting, never predictable, always courteous, a man who wore his brilliance lightly and bore his illness uncomplainingly. York will miss him.

Updated: 08:37 Wednesday, March 17, 2004