Theatre-goers couldn't believe their eyes when Michael Aspel, armed with his red book, popped up to surprise Julian Clary at the finale of last Monday's performance of Cinderella at Richmond Theatre.

Clary, who plays Dandini, Prince Charming's right-hand man, was gob-smacked as he was told "Julian Clary, this is your life". But the camp performer soon regained his composure and planted a kiss on each of Aspel's cheeks in typically luvvie fashion.

It soon became obvious that the rest of the cast were also clueless about the surprise as they looked at each other for guidance then sheepishly shuffled off the stage after Clary had been whisked away to powder his nose ready for filming.

Outside, the well-oiled This Is Your Life crew had taken over, and surrounded the building barking instructions into walkie talkies: "Another limo's arrived. Who's got the guest list?"

Slowly but surely the star-studded audience arrived: first Nicholas Parsons, then Judith Chalmers and June Whitfield.

Clary wore a shimmering red suit as audiences heard about his childhood as a rowers' cox complete with the obvious filthy puns. Even the normally conservative Aspel resorted to a couple of double entendres, lapped up by the audience.

Sadie and Paul Young and Jasper Conran sat on the work' side of the stage, while Julian sat next to his parents and sisters on the family' side. Friend and colleague Denise Van Outen was the first surprise through the doors, followed by Clary's old English teacher and finally actress June Whitfield who led on Clary's beloved dog, Valerie.

Television messages from Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross and Paul O'Grady aka Lily Savage all thanked Clary for being charming, funny, and such a pleasure to work with. The show will be broadcast shortly on BBC 1.

December 27, 2001 15:30