Elizabeth Hurley has perfected the art of red carpet glamour.

But even she succumbed to the lure of the free bar at last night's star-studded GQ Men of the Year awards and left the event looking uncharacteristically worse for wear.

The 43-year-old former actress arrived earlier looking her usual groomed to within an inch of her life self.

However, by the time she was seen leaving the bash at the Royal Opera House, she was holding her head in her hands, and sat slightly slumped in her chauffeur driven car. 

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Squiffy: A rare sighting of a what looked like an inebriated Elizabeth Hurley who attended last night's star-studded GQ Men of the Year awards

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Worse for wear: Liz appeared to be in need of some support - as she held her head up with her hand

But Liz wasn't the only celebrity emerging from the party looking worse for wear.

The uber-glamorous event hosted a roll-call of London's who's who as stars such as sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, model Elle McPherson and Elizabeth Hurley arrived in a blaze of flashbulbs.

But after a few hours with the champagne flowing, their exits were another story.

Here's how she looked earlier: Liz with shoe designer pal Patrick Cox as they posed on the red carpet earlier in the evening

Gladiators presenter Gallacher looked very unsteady on her feet as a friend escorted her from the Royal Opera House.

She appeared to stumble out of party, and needed support from a female friend.

And Elle McPherson looked distinctly pie-eyed as she was driven away from the ceremony.

Gladiators host Kirsty Gallacher looked very unsteady on her feet and got a supportive hand from a friend

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The Body: Elle McPherson looked distinctly pie-eyed as she left the bash in London's Covent Garden

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Tired: Chef Gordon Ramsay heads home looking bright-eyed, unlike his wife Tana

But it was singer Lily Allen who appeared most affected by the free drink on offer.

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Outburst: Lily took full advantage of the free champagne on offer

As the evening wore on, awards host Lily, who arrived wearing a huge designer ball gown, was seen sipping  champagne on stage.

The 23-year-old, soon began slurring, swearing and ad-libbing - and then got into a slanging match in front of the celebrity-filled audience with co-host Elton.

When she began to announce '...the most important part of the night', Elton chipped in 'What? Are you going to have another drink?'

To which she fired back: 'F*** off Elton. I am 40 years younger than you and have my whole life ahead of me!'

The shocked audience fell silent.  And a clearly rattled Elton replied 'I could still snort you under the table'. To which she replied: 'F*** off. I don't know what you are talking about.' 

On more than one occasion, Elton could be seen having a stern word with her in the wings between awards.

Lily also sparked speculation that her brother Alfie is to marry actress girlfriend Jaime Winstone, daughter of actor Ray Winstone when she said: 'Please welcome my very soon-to-be sister-in-law Jaime Winstone.'

Worse for wear: Lily Allen leaves the awards escorted by a bodyguard with her head down after her four-letter outburst at co-host Elton John 

Shamefaced: Lily appears to be regretting her behaviour from earlier in the evening

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Lily with her mother Alison Owen, and with co-host Elton John before their very public bust-up

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Too much information: Jaime Winstone with boyfriend Alfie Allen's mother Alison

She barely made it off the stage after the awards ended - before drinking even more at the afterparty. 

Later Lily left the party looking shamefaced, accompanied by a huge bodyguard, who was carrying a bottle of wine.

A galaxy of celebrities in attendance also witnessed stars as disparate as Led Zeppelin and London Mayor Boris Johnson collect honours.

With his windswept blond locks and unkempt appearance Mr Johnson may have been the most unlikely winner in the style stakes, but he was named Politician of the Year at the ceremony.

Unlikely candidate: Mayor of London Boris Johnson poses with his Politician of the Year award alongside presenters Susannah Constantine and Trinny Woodall

He received his gong from fashion experts Trinny and Susannah who no doubt gave the London Mayor their opinion on his chosen ensemble.

'I can't tell you how much it means to me and all my associates at City Hall to receive this award', he said, joking that the award was from the 'arbiters of male grooming for best dressed man of the year'.

Mr Johnson added: 'Last time I presented the award to Michael Howard for politician of the year and shortly afterwards he sacked me.

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Gang of gold: Beijing Olympians Steve Williams, Christine Ohuruogu, Peter Reed, Pippa Wilson and Victoria Pendleton

Five of Britain's record haul of Olympic medal winners were surprise guests.

Coxless four rowers Steve Williams and Peter Reed, 400-metre winner Christine Ohuruogu, Pippa Wilson, one of the 'blondes on a boat' who won the Yngling class in sailing, and woman's sprint cyclist champion Victoria Pendleton were all presented with bouquets.

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James Corden won for Breakthrough Talent award while producer and DJ Mark Ronson poses with his Alfred Dunhill Maverick award 

Among the other awards, Ramsay won Entrepreneur Of The Year, presented by Liz Hurley.

Led Zeppelin took the Outstanding Achievement title, presented by Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, DJ and producer Mark Ronson received the Alfred Dunhill Maverick Award, as a 'gentleman of independent or non-conformist views or actions' and 82-year-old Bennett was given the Inspiration award. 

Carol Vorderman made her first public appearance since leaving Channel 4's Countdown and joked with the audience: 'Give us a job.'

We are family: Proud mother Ann Ronson poses with son Mark and girlfriend Daisy Lowe

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Congratulations: Mark Ronson uses his award to grab a celebratory kiss from girlfriend Daisy

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Actor Orlando Bloom leaves the awards with girlfriend Miranda Kerr and his two dogs who also came along for the show

Outstanding Achievement - Led Zeppelin

Inspiration - Tony Bennett

Lifetime Achievement Award - David Bailey

Alfred Dunhill Maverick Award - Mark Ronson

Politician of the Year - Boris Johnson

International Man of the Year - Josh Brolin

Blackberry Entrepreneur of the Year - Gordon Ramsay

Band of the Year - Primal Scream

Radio Personality of the Year - Chris Evans

Chef of the Year - Mark Hix

Most Stylish Man of the Year - Brandon Flowers

Newspaper Editor of the Year - Peter Wright, Mail on Sunday

Breakthrough Talent - James Corden

Woman of the Year - Sam Taylor Wood

TV Personality of the Year - James Nesbitt

Fashion Designer - Christopher Bailey

Author of the Year - Joseph O'Neill

Actor of the Year - Steve Coogan

Comedians of the Year - Mighty Boosh

Visionary - Sir Peter Blake

Sportsman of the Year - Joe Calzaghe

Editor's Special Award - Rio Ferdinand