Sir Paul and friends light up the West End

In the forthcoming Ad Fab mini-season Jennifer Saunder's character Edina Monsoon is refused entry to Stella McCartney's exclusive Mayfair boutique. There was no such trouble last night as she turned up in character to switch on the store's Christmas lights.

Absolutely Fabulous's three-show Christmas special is being broadcast to celebrate the hit comedy's 20th anniversary and features Edina being barred from the Bruton Street shop where last night guests where could wash down canapés and chocolate Santas with champagne.

Ms Saunders was just one of several celebrity guests invited to the unveiling of the lights, a rather more glamourous affair than the nearby Regent Street and Oxford Street switch-ons.

The pre-Christmas bash is now an annual event for Ms McCartney's outlet. Last year she invited Catherine Tate to turn on the lights, and the actress obliged by performing the ritual in character as Nan, one of her more popular and foul-mouthed creations.