By Keily Oakes BBC News Online in London's Leicester Square

The stars of Spider-Man 2 jetted in to the UK for the London premiere of their movie knowing it is already on course to become one of the biggest films in history.

Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst arrived together

The crowds turned out in their noisy droves to see Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, who play Spider-Man and his love interest Mary Jane Watson.

The assembled audience were also treated to a musical performance from boyband McFly, who took to the terrace of the cinema to play.

Self-styled "comedy terrorist" Aaron Barschak, famed for gatecrashing Prince William's birthday party, tried to upstage the band by invading the proceedings and dancing around in front of the cinema hoardings.

But he was swiftly dealt with by security guards and police who arrested him.

And singer Samantha Mumba proved diamonds certainly were a girl's best friend by donning a little black dress encrusted with �5m of the gems.

As well as being accompanied by her new boyfriend, singer and actor Sisqo, she had four minders keeping a watchful eye on her every move.

Harness

She later changed out of the Scott Henshall designed dress before going into the screening.

She said: "I loved wearing the diamond dress but I was worried about one of them falling off so I got changed."

Also among the film's stars present was British actor Alfred Molina, who plays the evil Dr Otto Octavius.

Samantha Mumba stole the show in a �5m spider-inspired dress

He said he was delighted to get the call asking him to be in the film.

But he said filming was hard because of the amount of time he has to spend in a harness to play the tentacled villain, which he admitted "took a lot of getting used to".

Despite Tobey Maguire's huge star status he was still shocked by the reception he received in London's Leicester Square, finding it difficult to believe everyone was there to support his movie.

After signing autographs for fans, Maguire said: "It's pretty crazy out there. A lot of people, a lot of energy. I think this is the biggest premiere I've been to."

He added: "The film is pretty great and I'm really proud of it. I think everybody who liked the first one will love this one."

'Overwhelming'

Co-star Dunst arrived wearing Chanel but without actor boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal, who she said was busy shooting cowboy flick Brokeback Mountain.

For this London premiere she did not have to endure the torrential downpour of her last London gala screening, which ruined her shoes.

Dunst said the crowd had been "overwhelming" before declaring "I love London".

Both lead actors confirmed they had signed up for the third Spider-Man instalment. Maguire said the injured back which nearly ruled him out of the sequel was "very good thank you".

Director Sam Raimi was also in town to receive the crowds adulation.

Raimi said it was exciting to hear everybody outside chanting "Spider-Man, Spider-Man".

"Comedy terrorist" Aaron Barschak gatecrashed the premiere but was soon arrested

Other guests at the premiere included Queen's Brian May, with partner Anita Dobson. May has contributed music to the soundtrack.

The creator of TV's Bo Selecta!, Avid Merrion, got into the spirit of the event, wearing a tight Spider-Man costume with his trademark neck brace over the top to make him recognisable.

Baywatch star David Hasslehoff was also in attendance, in London rehearsing for his West End role in Chicago.

Lenny Kravitz, Strictly Come Dancing winner Natasha Kaplinsky and The Darkness' Justin Hawkins were also in the audience.