Stars hold one last big bash for showbiz legend Stigwood

THE stars will come out one last time for impresario Robert Stigwood, who masterminded the careers of the Bee Gees and Eric Clapton, among many others.

An unusual ‘memorial party’ is to be held next week in one of his favourite places, The Dorchester hotel in Mayfair, where he often stayed in a luxurious suite.

Stigwood, who was a producer of films including Grease and Saturday Night Fever, died at his home in Berkshire in January, aged 81.

He was famous — some would say infamous — for his lavish parties on his 270 ft yacht (one of the world’s largest at the time) involving musicians, actors and artists.

Among the expected guests are Clapton, Oscar-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice, who spoke at his funeral, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Bee Gees singer Barry Gibb.

Australian-born Stigwood arrived in Britain in 1959 with £5 and began

working as an agent putting actors into television commercials.

He went on to produce films, as well as countless West End and Broadway musicals including Hair, Oh! Calcutta! and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Known to friends and enemies as ‘Stiggy’, he was not always blessed with success. His failures include the 1978 film version of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

His partnership with the Bee Gees turned sour in 1980, when they ended their 12-year relationship and sued him for £31 million, claiming he used their talents to create his fortune. However, Stigwood bounced back in the late Nineties — with the 1996 bigscreen adaptation of Evita, starring Madonna, winning a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture.

The impresario, who amassed a £200 million fortune from stage, screen and music, was also a close friend of Sarah, Duchess of York.

What’s to happen to Stigwood’s money is unclear — he was a bachelor and died with no obvious heir. Perhaps he’ll leave it to Fergie, whose past money troubles are well-documented?