Best of Britain indeed! A-list stars gather to celebrate the creative industries
BRUCE Forsyth, Cilla Black and Helena Bonham Carter were among a glittering cast of celebrities who rubbed shoulders with members of the cabinet this evening at a reception at the Foreign Office.
They joined comedians Ronnie Corbett and Michael McIntyre at the A-list gathering celebrating the achievements of Britain's creative industries.
Among the 200-strong guest, which combined some of the biggest movers and shakers in the British entertainment industry, included singer Katherine Jenkins, TV star Kirsty Allsop and Daily Express owner Richard Desmond.
David Cameron used the event to champion the flourishing British industry which generates around £70 billion a year.
“The UK has always punched well above our weight in culture and the arts,” he said.
“We don’t have the natural resources to rival other nations but we’ve got the cultural resources.
Music, film and television help inspire young kids and bring our country together - so I will always back those industries
"We’ve always had rich seams of thought, creativity and ingenuity to mine. So tonight let’s resolve to keep on leading the world with our culture.
“You make your country so proud – you fly the flag for Britain around the world – so thank you, and keep up the good work.”
The publicly funded party has been compared to Tony Blair's "Cool Britannia" event, a description that No 10 was keen to dismiss.
A select group will enjoy a private dinner with the prime minister at Downing Street later on.
Mr Blair's 1997 party attracted high-flying British celebrities like Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, but was later seen to backfire on the then PM as invited stars later criticised his government.
Speaking at the event, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid said: “For years the UK has been at the cutting edge of the creative industries - and we want that to be the case for decades to come.
“This comes back to two things - and the two things that I see being as the most important in my job.
"Music, film and television help inspire young kids and bring our country together - so I will always back those industries.
“And two: our long-term economic plan.
"The announcements today, and the reception tonight, are about securing investment, creating new well-paid jobs and opportunities, and helping us build that brighter, better future in our country.”
Warner Bros president Josh Berger said: “We're delighted to be reinforcing our commitment to the UK creative industries through the expansion of our studios and the announcement that our highly anticipated Tarzan action adventure film will be shooting there.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “British talent, services and products are in high demand around the world and our £71billion creative sector is one of the UK's most important industries, employing thousands of people across the country.
“UKTI's new international strategy builds on the UK's global reputation for innovation and quality by setting a goal to double creative exports, double the number of creative companies that trade and establishing the UK as the favoured location for inward investment for the creative industries sector, creating long term jobs and building a stronger economy.”