Husband Percy’s surprise party as St Tropez guests are sworn to secrecy

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The glamorous star looks nowhere near her 75 years

Joan Collins rolled back the years by dancing until dawn at a surprise 75th birthday party in the South of France yesterday.

Surrounded by 60 close family and friends, Joanie – as she is affectionately known to her inner circle – danced the night away at the luxury villa of millionaire entrepreneur Simon Reuben.

The actress’s fifth husband Percy Gibson, 43, had sworn guests to secrecy over the lavish party.

After flying with Percy to her villa in St Tropez, Joan thought she was just having pre-dinner drinks at Mr Reuben’s Residence Tahiti in one of the resort’s most exclusive enclaves.

But as she and Percy walked into the main living room on Friday evening, Joan was greeted by shouts of ‘Surprise’ and applause – plus glasses of Cristal champagne.

Guests included Oscar-winning composer Leslie Bricusse, who once worked on a series of hits with Joan’s late ex-husband Anthony Newley, and his wife Evie, celebrity photographer Terry O’Neill, food writer A.A. Gill and jeweller Theo Fennell.

Also there were Johnny Gold, owner of London’s Tramp nightclub, actor John Standing, PR guru Lord Tim Bell and his wife Lady Virginia, plus Joan’s son and daughter, Sacha and Tara Newley.

Dressed in a stunning blue and white Roberto Cavalli evening gown and bedecked in Theo Fennell jewellery, an emotional Joan was close to tears as she described Percy, whom she married six years ago, as ‘my life partner and true love’.

Joan, who has been a star for more than 50 years and is best known for her roles in the Eighties Dynasty TV series and films such as The Bitch, added: ‘Now I know why all my friends have been ignoring me for the past two weeks – in case I found out about this wonderful party Percy has organised for me.’

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Joan and husband Percy lapping up the sun on a yacht in the south of France before her surprise party

She and her guests enjoyed a dinner of foie gras and a buffet of lamb and gourmet fish dishes, with fine French wines.

Then Joan was presented with a large chocolate birthday cake brought into the room on a dish shaped like a swan’s back with a photo of her family alongside.

One guest at the exclusive event said last night: ‘Joan and Percy arrived at 8.30pm on Friday and stayed dancing till dawn today.

It was very South of France chic and all the ladies, including Joan, wore long, flowing dresses.

‘We were sworn to secrecy by Percy, who organised the whole thing. Joan was genuinely taken aback when she walked in.

‘She thought she was just popping in for a drink. She looked fantastic, was overwhelmed by the night and thanked everyone for coming. She thoroughly enjoyed herself.’

Joan met Percy when she toured in the play Love Letters in the US
in 2000. Love blossomed when Percy helped edit her novel Star Quality.

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