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By Georgina Littlejohn
This little piggy should have stayed home: Emma Thompson grapples with her snouted date at the world premiere of Nanny McPhee in London last nightThe old showbusiness adage says you should never work with children or animals.
Something that Emma Thompson probably wished she'd taken into account for the world premiere of her new film Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang.
The actress was almost upstaged by her date for the night as they arrived at the Odeon West End in Leicester Square in London last night.
Squealing the limelight: The pig tries to drag Emma away as she poses for the camerasBut it wasn't husband Greg Wise making a show of himself but a little pig who took it upon itself to take as much attention away from the film's star as possible.
It tried to lead Emma off in all directions as she tried to keep it under control as they arrived on the red carpet, which was actually blue and covered in silver stars
It refused to pose for the cameras, and became so startled by the flashbulbs and screaming fans that it relieved itself at the entrance to the cinema
Leading ladies: Emma, who wrote the film and plays the lead role, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays the mother who calls Nanny McPhee to control her unruly childrenBut ever the professional, Emma kept on smiling before handing the pig over to its handler so she could join her human co-stars inside.
Looking stunning in a brown strapless Vivienne Westwood gown and gold Aruna Seth shoes, Emma couldn't stop grinning, probably from excitement about the premiere and relief she'd handled the farm animal situation with as much dignity as possible.
All together: The film's cast, including Rhys Ifans and comedian Bill Bailey, pose with director Susanna White (third from left) and Emma's daughter Gaia (in front of Emma)
Dapper: Rhys Ifans and Bill Bailey scrub up well for the screeningEmma, who wrote the film, also appeared relaxed and sun-kissed, having just returned from a holiday in Mexico with close friend Kate Winslet, providing her with a shoulder to cry on after her separation from director husband Sam Mendes.
Emma was joined by co-star Maggie Gyllenhaal, who kept it simple but very chic in a Vionnet black silk crepe dress with cream ivory silk pleated insert and platform peep-toed heels
Cheeky! Rhys Ifans can't resist grabbing Emma's bottom as he greets her at the premiereMaggie praised Thompson, and said: 'I'm her biggest fan and I know I'm not alone in thinking she is a brilliant genius. I would like to work with her on everything.'
She also gushed about Dame Maggie Smith, who also stars in the film, and said: 'I heard she was a little tough and was nervous to work with her, but, thank God, she liked me.'
Unfortunately, neither Dame Maggie nor Ralph Fiennes, who also stars in the film, attended the premiere.
Well-behaved: The young stars of the film (from left) a cheeky Eros Valhos, Oscar Steer, Asa Butterfield, Rosie Taylor-Ritson and Lil Woods smile sweetly for the camerasOther cast members attending included comedian Bill Bailey, who plays a pig farmer.
He joked that his animal co-stars were 'not just common-or-garden farm pigs from up the road', but proper stage pigs who 'were all a bit blase really'.
Celebrity guests: Fashion guru Trinny Woodhall and her daughter Lyla and TV presenter Gail Porter and her daughter Honey and friend
Doing it for the kids: EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer and her daughter Emilia and Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley with her sons Jude and CassiusWelsh actor Rhys Ifans, who plays a character called Uncle Phil, was also in attendance and ever the joker, took the opportunity to pinch Emma's bottom as he greeted her at the cinema.
Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang is the sequel the 2005 hit Nanny McPhee and tells the story of stressed parent Isabel Green - played by Gyllenhaal - who is struggling to deal with unruly children and run the family farm while her husband is away fighting in the Second World War, so she calls in the magical McPhee to bring them to order.
Family affair: Sinitta arrived with her twins Zac and Magdalena while presenter Vanessa Feltz attends with singer husband Ben and her daughter and friend [endtext]