GaGa greeted the crowd by saying: "Good evening Blackpool. Let me hear you rattle your jewellery." Later the Queen seemed unable to control her chuckles as the pair hit it off.

In a trademark bizarre performance, GaGa was suspended 12ft in the air while playing a piano.

Veteran comedian Frank Carson, 83, greeted the Queen and Prince Philip at the seaside town's Opera House - and his three young granddaughters presented her with flowers.

Classical singer Faryl Smith led the National Anthem, alongside military group The Soldiers - Trooper Ryan Idzi, Sergeant Richie Maddocks and Sergeant Major Gary Chilton. Comedian Peter Kay, 36, joked that his Nan was sitting near the Queen and they would be "swapping fudge by the interval".

Earlier Lulu, Anastacia and Chaka Khan kicked off the evening. Bette Midler, Katherine Jenkins, Whoopi Goldberg, Miley Cyrus, last year's X Factor champ Alexandra Burke and Michael Buble also featured.

Bucharest Herald