Stars celebrate War Horse birthday

Craig Revel-Horwood swapped the fox trot for cantering horses when he attended the fifth anniversary performance of War Horse.

The Strictly Come Dancing star was among a host of celebs who enjoyed a champagne reception and celebratory performance of the hit stage show at the New London Theatre in the West End.

Model Lily Cole and Spy funnyman Darren Boyd were also among the star guests, while Jason Donovan and comedian David Baddiel brought their families to see the show.

Meanwhile, Tyger Drew-Honey, teenage star of Outnumbered and Cuckoo, treated his girlfriend to a night out at the party, where they cosied up in the corner together.

There was not a dry eye in the house as the audience gave Joey the horse and the show's cast a standing ovation at the end of the moving story of a boy and his beloved horse, set against the tragic backdrop of the First World War.

Michael Morpurgo, author of the original novel, said: "Since that night in the Olivier when Joey first trotted out into the spotlight, millions of grown-up children and children around the world have come to know and love Joey's story, through play, film, concert and book. So thank you National Theatre, thank you Joey, and thank you especially to those actors and puppeteers who go on every night and make War Horse the unique theatrical event it has become."

Michael revealed that he was most proud that the play, which tells the neutral story of both British and German soldiers trying to survive the war, is now set to open in Berlin.

War Horse, which is also showing on Broadway and in Toronto and is planned to open in Australia, has been seen by over 2.4 million people including The Queen, Prince William and Prince Harry.