Football film kicks off

Tomlinson attended with partner Rita

The Royle Family's Ricky Tomlinson was cheered by the crowd as he arrived for the première of his latest film on Tuesday.

Mike Bassett: England Manager stars Tomlinson as the manager of Norwich city who finds himself looking after the England team.

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The comic joked at the cinema in Leicester Square, central London, that since taking the role he had been tempted to leave acting for a job in soccer.

"If I take over, the first thing I will do will be to appoint a new team hairdresser," he said.

"Some of the England lads' haircuts are a disgrace."

Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews was there, in one of her first appearances since the announcement of the break-up of the band.

Other celebrities in attendance were Sir Bob Geldof, Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall and TV presenter Carole Vorderman.

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Tomlinson arrived waving a red, white and blue England scarf.

But he was upstaged by singer Keith Allen, who came dressed in drag.

Allen said that the frock was a copy of a Liz Hurley dress, adding: "It obviously works because everyone is pointing their camera at me."

Among the other guests were two of the girl group Atomic Kitten, who appear in the film as pop stars recording England's World Cup song.

A host of soccer stars were there including West Ham keeper David James, West Ham midfielder Joe Cole and Sunderland manager Peter Reid.

The film itself has already received poor reviews.