Stars Jennifer Ellison (left) and Emmy Rossum brought the glamour

Former Brookside actress and Hell's Kitchen winner Jennifer Ellison makes her big screen debut as a ballerina in the Andrew Lloyd Webber story.

At the premiere, the composer said: "This has been a long time in the making and turned out as I've always wanted."

Minnie Driver, who based her role on diva Maria Callas, also attended.

Driver, wearing a black lace dress by Dolce & Gabbana, said she enjoyed playing a diva.

'So knackered'

But she added: "I was so knackered by carrying around a 50lb dress and 30lb wig during filming that I just collapsed in bed every night."

Scottish actor Gerard Butler plays the Phantom and 18-year-old Emmy Rossum the heroine Christine, in the Joel Schumacher-directed film.

Ellison, who wore a white ball gown embroidered with thousands of crystals and made by designers Lilina and Dana Kruszynska, said she was overwhelmed by the event.

"It's just amazing," she said. "It was a brilliant part for me and to appear opposite Minnie was a real honour."