Amanda Holden stars as Shrek opens in West End

The West End musical version of the hit animated movie Shrek opened in London last night in front of a star-studded audience.

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden stars as Princess Fiona opposite Nigel Lindsay as the titular green ogre, with former EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman playing the evil Lord Farquaad.

Comedian Michael McIntyre - who featured alongside Holden on the TV talent show - was in the first-night crowd, along with fellow comic Frank Skinner, actress Dame Judi Dench, director Michael Winner and chat show host Graham Norton.

"I texted Amanda before the show to say I was bringing my buzzer," McIntyre said to reporters afterwards. "But she was amazing."

A fire in nearby Marconi House meant the Aldwych theatre had to call off a performance of Dirty Dancing, but Shrek went on as planned.

After the performance, Lindsay told BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat that the crowd had been tough but they eventually warmed up.

"By the end they were dancing in the aisles," he added.