IT WAS the question on the tip of everyone's tongue.

Would pop sensation Natalie Appleton make a grand entrance on the arm of boyfriend Jonny Lee Miller, the star of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park

But fans of the chart-topping girl band All Saints waiting outside Winchester's Screen Theatre were not disappointed.

For the showbiz couple the UK premiere of Mansfield Park was their first public outing since they re-united.

And the amorous pair walked arm-in-arm as they arrived to the star-studded event last night.

They were joined by writer and director of the adaptation of Austen's controversial third novel Patricia Rozema and James Purefoy, who plays Tom Bertram in the period costume drama.

The script has been adapted from the original novel as well as Austen's letters and early journals.

Scores of other Hampshire dignitaries turned out to the glittery extravaganza including Winchester MP Mark Oaten, Mayor Allan Mitchell and county council chief Ken Thornber.

The bash was held in aid of Winchester Hospital Radio to pay for 24-hour broadcasting to patients.

Proud of its links with Jane Austen, this was the third time the city has hosted a prestigious premiere of a film based on her classic novels.

Director Patricia Rozema, said she hoped Austen would approve of her interpretation - the film is the first feature-length film of Mansfield Parkever made. She said: "It is inspiring to present the film less than a mile away from Jane Austen's final resting place."

The author who once lived in College Street died in Winchester in 1817, and she is buried in the city's ancient cathedral. Romantic lead Jonny Lee Miller, best known as Sick boy in Trainspotting, told fans he was delighted to be in Winchester and it was a lovely city.

The 27-year-old heartthrob told the Daily Echo: "I play quite a tender character who's a very shy and gentle guy.

"It's nice to play someone like that for a change."

Speaking of his relationship with pop diva Natalie, who recently had a number one hit with Pure Shores, he said they were just a normal couple doing ordinary things.

He added: "It's not difficult to have a famous girlfriend - when you love someone you just make it work.

"The showbiz couple thing does not exist - unless you make it exist."

The film is based on a rags-to-riches tale of Fanny Price, who is shipped from Ports-mouth to live with her wealthy relatives.

Treated as an inferior, she seeks solace with her cousin Edmund, but as with many of Austen's novels, the path of true love is never smooth.

Following the film, celebrities along with 450 other guests flocked to the famous Great Hall for the traditional after-show party.

The premiere was the brainchild of Anna O'Brien, the fundraising manager of Winchester Hospital Radio.

She said: "At first we thought we had Mansfield Park as a charity preview, but now its turned into the UK premier - it's fantastic."

Manager of The Screen, Simon Grover, said: "Having the premiere here is great for Winchester as the city thrives with its link to Jane Austen."

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