Really AIN’T nothing like a dame!

Eleven of them help Gyles Brandreth celebrate his 75th birthday

GYLES Brandreth celebrated his upcom- ing 75th birthday with 11 theatrical dames on stage yesterday, sharing anecdotes from their careers.

Dame Judi Dench helped organise the event at the London Palladium to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Stars Twiggy, Eileen Atkins, Floella Benjamin, Patricia Routledge, Penelope Wilton, Maureen Lipman, Sheila Hancock,

Harriet Walter and Joanna Lumley also reminisced with the veteran broadcaster, who turns 75 on Wednesday.

The biggest surprise was a performance from Joan Collins, who arrived at the end of the event to read a poem honouring the children of Great Ormond Street. But it was Dame Maureen who stole the show – by dedicating a poem to her fellow dames which contained a jibe labelling the BBC as ‘snobbish’ and anti-working class.

Back row: Either side of Gyles are Dames Harriet, Penelope, Floella, Maureen, Joanna and Twiggy. Front row: Dames Eileen, Judi, Patricia, Sheila and Joan