Stars out for Henderson premiere

Dame Judi said she admired the real-life character she portrays

Dame Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins were joined by film newcomer Will Young on the red carpet for the London premiere of their new film.

Mrs Henderson Presents is based on the true story of a 1930s widow who turns the abandoned Windmill Theatre into London's most famous nude revue.

Singer Young makes his screen debut in the film directed by Stephen Frears.

"I would like to do another film, something like this film, that I believe in," he said.

Young plays a wartime crooner and assistant to theatre manager Hoskins in the film.

'Everything goes'

Speaking outside the Vue West End cinema in Leicester Square, Hoskins admitted he had no idea who Young was before shooting started.

"Will was amazing," he said. "I didn't know who he was. Then he started to sing and I said 'This kid can sing, too' and I was told 'Yes, he is a singer'."

I think you should challenge people and challenge their perceptions of you, otherwise you can get stuck Will Young Interview: Will Young

Dame Judi said she admired Laura Henderson, the woman who bought the Windmill following the death of her husband.

Her efforts to put naked women on stage defied the UK's strict censorship laws.

"I wanted people to learn about this person," she said. "She was particularly brave and courageous."

But the Oscar-winning actress and theatre veteran said she did not approve of "gratuitous" nudity.

"We just live in a society where everything goes," she said.

"Nudity wasn't allowed on stage in 1957, now you can do anything.

"Maybe I would like to go back to that time."