05:20 EST, 20 November 2012
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06:39 EST, 20 November 2012
Pudsey has been on a host of American talk shows and even rested his manicured paws on Simon Cowell’s private jet.
But the pampered pooch looked like being the final act to perform at the Royal Variety Show was the best prize a pooch could receive – and owner Ashleigh Butler didn’t look too bad either.
The dazzling duo took tot he stage on Monday evening with 17-year-old Ashleigh dazzling audiences with her bright pink outfit, complete with a plastic gun.
Bond girl and her pooch! Ashleigh and Pudsey transform the stage and delighted the Queen
The 007 theme, devised to mark the film franchise’s 50th anniversary this year, was present through the two-and-a-half hour show, which will be screened on ITV1 on December 3.
This year’s Britain’s Got Talent winners performed an acrobatic routine to a medley of Bond themes. It is thought the double act is a particular favourite of Her Majesty.
According to well-placed royal sources, the Queen – who was attending the Royal Variety Performance for the 36th time – was especially keen to learn animal training tips from the duo.
Flying through the air: The pair show just why they won this year’s BGT
Royal favourite: It is thought the Queen is keen to learn dog training tips form the BGT winning duo
Bond medley: Ashleigh and Pudsey brought the house down at the Royal Variety Performance
Energetic: Pudsey impressed with acrobatic routine which finished off the show
Performing for the fourth year in succession, Welsh soprano Katherine Jenkins sang the National Anthem.
Broadcast on ITV1 next month, the show was filmed on Monday night at the Royal Albert Hall in front of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Amanda Holden, 41, introduced double act Ashleigh and Pudsey and some of the other Britain’s Got Talent acts to the stage.
So clever! Pudsey shows off his athleticism onstage
He’s a royal winner! Pudsey seems more interested in the camera than her majesty
Speaking during rehearsals, she said: ‘It’s hilarious. You are wandering around backstage with gymnasts, dogs and sniffer dogs and massive security, Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Tarbuck, Bruce Forsyth and Harry Styles.
‘You’re like ‘oh my god it’s like a dream, or a nightmare!’,’ she joked.
‘I had my picture taken with Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett and Jimmy Tarbuck, and I said ‘if you were a boyband what would you call yourselves?’ and Jimmy said ‘been there done that.”
Fancy seeing you here: Ashleigh looked delighted to come across the Queen in person as the monarch greeted her backstage
But he certainly loves Prince Philip! The Duke of Edinburgh gives Pudsey a pat on the head
And it wasn’t only Pudsey who graced the stage to make it a night to remember.
Among the glamorous ladies leading the pack was Katherine Jenkins and Amanda Holden.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge shimmered in a silver gown as she took the mic onstage during the evening.
Making their entrance: One Direction were also among the headliners and appeared through the audience
Taking their places: Liam, Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry sat on lit up stools as they sang their hearts out
Suited and booted: The boys looked dapper in their suits as they tried to impress the royal guests
Concentrating: Harry Styles showed the Queen what all the fuss was about as he joined his One Direction bandmates at the Royal Albert Hall
Something funny? The boys broke down in giggles as they were joined on stage by funnyman David Walliams, who was host for the evening
Gathering together: The boys looked dapper as they happily completed their set
All eyes on them: Despite it being a slightly older clientele at the show, the boys did themselves proud as they showed off their talents
Amanda wore her hair down in a long bob as she stood out in the asymmetric metallic dress with sparkly jewelled detailing.
And Jenkins also went all out as she stepped on stage in a purple satin number.
She wore her blonde locks in big curls while adorning herself with silver jewellery.
Stand out: Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins wowed in a pink satin strapless gown as she took to the mic
Costume change: She transformed into a similar purple number as she showed off her vocal skills alongside Placido Domingo
All that glistens: Amanda Holden shimmered in a
silver jewelled dress, while Heather Headley went for red as she took
her turn to sing
Celebrations: Amanda was just one of the stars taking part in the 100th Royal Variety Show
Golden girl: Kylie Minogue was also a favourite as she glistened in her side split gold dress
Flashing the flesh: She wore her hair in an up ‘do while emphasising her petite figure in the sequin gown
But it wasn’t only her looks which would have wowed the crowd, as she also impressed by performing a duet with Placido Domingo.
She
wrote on Twitter ahead of her set: ‘About to kick off tonight’s Royal
Variety Performance with The National Anthem #100Years #Honour.’
The
operatic show would have no doubt pleased the Queen, although she was
also entertained by much younger stars and more pop music.
One Direction were also among the star performers and made a special entrance by walking through the audience down to the stage.
Special guest: Even Alicia keys was over from America to perform at the show among the other acts of the night
Belting it out: She wore an all black ensemble as she was flanked by her dancers
Tribute: Heather Headley made a memorable performance with her tribute to late singer Whitney Houston
And they were even treated to some antics by host of the night David Walliams.
The
Little Britain star didn’t hold back on his ways despite being in front
of the Queen as he changed into fancy dress, complete with a wig and
leg warmers, half way through the show.
But Walliams didn’t spend the entire evening fooling around in quirky outfits.
One way to make an entrance! David Walliams ensured he arrived in style by dressing as James Bond and flying on to the stage with a jet pack
Gosh, he’s grown: Stavros Flatley performed their father-son duo act, but teenager Lagi has grown to be as big as his father
Combining: The joined dancers Diversity for a medley of moves to entertain the audience
Doing what they do best: Diversity showed off yet another eye popping routine for the royal guests and other lucky attendees
For the majority of the evening he kept to his smart suit as he introduced the acts and compered the evening.
Although
he ensured he made his own special entrance by flying down onto the
stage using a jet pack and dressed himself like superspy James Bond.
The
show coincides with the 007 films and contained a number of mentions
throughout, notably ending with a Bond medley which included acts such
as this year’s Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey
performing to a 007-theme.
Taking her seat: The Queen took her place next to the Duke of Edinburgh as they watched the show unfold
Royal seal of approval: The British monarch dressed in her finest as she glittered her way into the venue on the red carpet
Crowd pleaser: David Walliams created another shock as he hovered over the audience wearing a crown and holding a large star
Speaking during rehearsals, she
said: ‘It’s hilarious. You are wandering around backstage with
gymnasts, dogs and sniffer dogs and massive security, Kylie Minogue,
Jimmy Tarbuck, Bruce Forsyth and Harry Styles.
‘You’re like ‘oh my god it’s like a dream, or a nightmare!’,’ she joked.
‘I
had my picture taken with Bruce Forsyth, Ronnie Corbett and Jimmy
Tarbuck, and I said ‘if you were a boyband what would you call
yourselves?’ and Jimmy said ‘been there done that.”
Bojangles: Robbie Williams went for a black suit and tie as he showed off his talents
It is a variety show: Even Bruce Forsyth and Paul Potts had their turn on stage offering an array of performances
Classic: The Take That star performed solo at the 100th Royal Variety Show on Monday evening, head of its TV release next month
The Britain’s Got Talent judge
said of the acts facing a royal audience: ‘I performed in front of the
Queen in (the musical) Thoroughly Modern Millie… It’s just daunting
and scary but a massive honour.’
Holden
said of the Queen: ‘She’s a dog nut. Like the rest of Britain, she’s a
massive animal lover. She loves her horses and she loves the dogs.
‘If she could, that’s probably who she’d mostly spend time with.’
Variety is the spice of life: Rod Stewart returned to singing duties as he performed his classics
…And even crooner Neil Diamond was among the stars providing the range of entertainment
What a night: Soldiers set the scene as they graced the stage in full dress up gear
Girls Aloud performed The
Promise, Robbie Williams sang Mr Bojangles and Different, One Direction
did Little Things, and Sir Bruce Forsyth performed in a comedy skit to
round off the highlights.
There were also performances from Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond, as well as comedians Rhod Gilbert and Bill Bailey.
Keys said: ‘To be part of something that’s been happening for 100 years is amazing.
Golden girl: Kylie shook hands with Queen Elizabeth II after finishing her set
Charmer: Alicia Keys smiled as she watched Placido Domingo kiss the Queen’s white glove on her right hand
‘I’ve got instructions about meeting the Queen. I’ve got to bow to the audience and the royal box.’
Jenkins,
who isang the national anthem at what is her fourth Royal Variety
Performance, said: ‘It’s an honour. It does make you nervous when the
Queen is watching you. You want to do your best.’
The show will be broadcast on ITV1 on December 3 at 7.30pm.
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BGT winner Pudsey brings the house down in dazzling Bond inspired finale at Royal Variety Performance