Little Britain's Lucas gets hitched ahead of fancy dress reception

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Married: Comedian Lucas and his partner McGee arrive for their reception.

It's that heart-stopping moment every woman dreads - walking into the party and realising you're wearing the same outfit as another guest.

But it was the men who were feeling a little sheepish last night as they turned up to Matt Lucas's pantomime-themed 'wedding' reception.

• Click here to see spectacular photos of the wedding

The Little Britain star's friends do not seem to share his creativeness when it comes to dressing up and at least five had turned up dressed as the evil Captain Cook from Peter Pan.

Sir Elton John, Queen's Roger Taylor, Paul O'Grady, Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys and hypnotist Paul McKenna all arrived to celebrate his civil partnership dressed as the villainous pirate.

Sir Elton's red and gold costume was the most elaborate by a mile with a black curly wig, a lace-trimmed white shirt, an intricately-embroidered satin coat, brocade tunic and satin pantaloons.

There will also have been a shudder from Lucas' partner Kevin McGee who arrived resplendent as Prince Charming only to find Sir Elton's partner David Furnish had come up with the same idea.

X-Factor's Louis Walsh and former Boyzone singer Stephen Gately were also seeing double after both coming as Buttons. Luckily other guests showed a touch more flair.

Barbara Windsor arrived at the reception in the Banqueting Hall in London's Whitehall, as the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella, Janet Street Porter came as a beanstalk and Lucas's comedy partner David Walliams came in tweedledum-style pinstriped suit, huge glasses and a blonde wig wearing a name tag proclaiming he was panto favourite Christopher Biggins.

Lucas himself was dressed as Ali Baba, from Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves with pink plumes, gold spangled trousers and a bolero jacket.

Other guests at the reception in the hall built for King James I for royal masques and concerts included Ben Elton as a coachman, Courtney Love as the Queen of Hearts in a blood-red gown and EastEnders bad-boy Steve McFadden as the Demon Prince.

Will Young was dressed as an Ugly Sister and Vic Reeves' wife Nancy Sorrell drew admiring applause from a crowd outside as a cheeky Bo Peep in a saucy short skirt and knee-high socks.

Earlier Lucas, 32, had formalised his relationship with McGee, a television producer, at a civil partnership ceremony at London's Homes House, a private members club and hotel in central London.

Guests said the service had been an emotional one and the couple kissed at the end to cheers from friends including Walliams and television star Dale Winton.

Afterwards the 32-year-old looked nervous as he posed for pictures clutching his partner's hand. He wore a blue velvet suit and white shirt for the occasion as well as a rose-patterned red tie which matched Mr McGee's blue one.

Lucas, who had insisted the ceremony be as private as possible and had hired to keep out possible gatecrashers, said the ceremony had gone 'very well, thank you'.

Later the couple briefly left the reception to pose for pictures and say: 'We've had lots of good wishes from the public and media, thank you.'

Lucas and 30-year-old Mr McGee, got engaged in May, three years after meeting at a London nightspot.

They live together in a £1.5 million house in St John's Wood, north west London.

The pair plan to go on honeymoon for a few weeks before the Little Britain Live tour to Australia in January.

Before Lucas had explained why he had not chosen his comedy partner to be his best man.

'My two best men are two of my oldest college friends, but David will be there.

'It would have been hard for him to do all the organising needed because we have such a busy schedule'.

Before the civil partnership ceremony began a delivery of kosher food by Hermalis, a kosher food specialist, arrived along with an abundance of flowers.

Accompanying the half hour service was a string quartet. Fellow comedian Rob Brydon said he felt "very happy" to be involved.

The government enshrined the rights to a Civil Partnership on December 5th last year. The arrangement gives same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals.

Yesterday's event was one of the most high-profile since Sir Elton and Furnish married shortly after the act came into effect.

 

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