SHOWBUSINESS stars joined local hopefuls for a very special show, back at the stage school where they all started.

Past students from the town’s Tiffany Stage Academy and College gathered to pay tribute to their teacher, Chriss Campbell Welch.

Former pupils, who are now in the West End, on television and dancing around the world, appeared at a glitzy gala at the Princes Theatre, to mark Miss Campbell Welch’s 40 years as a teacher.

The performers joined the academy’s present pupils to showcase the expertise of past and present. Miss Campbell Welch was presented with a book of students’ memories at the event.

After the gala, she said: “It was just fantastic. It was the first time I had ever sat back and watched a Tiffany show.

“I am so proud of my daughter, Tiffany, who staged it and of all my students and their achievements. Now I can’t wait to get back to work again!”

Clacton’s own West End musical star Michael Watson, who is currently in Sister Act and before that was in We Will Rock You, sang a Stevie Wonder song.

Colchester’s Liam Lunniss, who has danced with big names such as Whitney Houston, Duffy, and Atomic Kitten thanked Miss Campbell Welch for teaching him to strive for perfection. There were songs, too, from one of the school’s first pupils, Dani Anton, who has since sung around the world, entertaining royalty and heads of state and working with Neil Sedaka, Barry Manilow and Rita Moreno.

Former Phantom of the Opera leading artistes Nic Greenshields and Matt Cole, now in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, sang a specially-written number in Miss Campbell Welch’s honour.

English National ballerina Dilly Greaves performed a solo.

Also at the gala, called Now:40, were television and theatre actor Tim Griggs, television actress Beth Goddard and West End dancer Becky Hanks.

There was a recorded message from former West End dancer and choreographer John Clark, who is now teaching in Australia, and a poem written by former student and drama teacher Melissa Wenn.

The finale, with more than 120 students aged between three and 22, was written and choreographed by Miss Campbell Welch’s daughter, Tiffany, and academy head Aaron Lissimore.