Geri steals the show at George Michael's party - Showbiz - Evening Standard
       

Geri steals the show at George Michael's party

If the invitation said barely-there black dress and curls, then Geri Halliwell was perfectly dressed.

The former Spice Girl chose a dramatic sheer dress, slashed to the thigh - which revealed her new superslim figure - to make her entrance at friend George Michael's 44th birthday party.

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Dare to be sheer: Geri steps out in a daring see-through black dress, slashed to the thigh for added measure as she made her entrance at pal George Michael's 44th birthday party

Dare to be sheer: Geri steps out in a daring see-through black dress, slashed to the thigh for added measure as she made her entrance at pal George Michael's 44th birthday party

Geri puts an a little black dress to party with birthday boy George Michael

Geri puts an a little black dress to party with birthday boy George Michael

Both Geri and supermodel Elle MacPherson were among 110 guests attending the pop singer's £30,000 bash at a Mayfair hotel.

The invitation list also included Michael Parkinson, Matt Lucas, David Walliams, Stephen Fry and Tracey Emin.

The event at the Berkeley Hotel started at 7pm with George being toasted by his friends and family with canapes and dozens of £125 bottles of Louis Roederer Cristal cuvee champagne.

The singer, who lives in a £5million Hampstead mansion, arrived with partner Kenny Goss. He was smartly dressed for the occasion in black suit with black shirt and tie.

Walking into the hotel's candlelit ballroom guests, who also included TV presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, were met with a series of birthday wishes projected on to a large plasma screen in the middle of the reception area along with a selection of Seventies disco hits.

They then enjoyed a £125-a-head dinner, with teams of silver service waiters bringing in caesar salad followed by sesame-crusted salmon served on a bed of avocado rice, fruit sorbet and a cheese course.

Despite the glamour of the party, a friend described the celebrations as 'modest', adding: 'George only wanted a relatively small affair with just close friends and family. It was intended to be a special day for him.'

Guests partied until the early hours when the tables were cleared for a disco featuring some of Michael's own hits.

Husband and wife teams Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan and hairdresser to the stars Nicky Clarke

Husband and wife teams Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan and hairdresser to the stars Nicky Clarke

Elle MacPherson and actress Tamzin Outhwaite

Elle MacPherson and actress Tamzin Outhwaite

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