All night long: Out and about with Sam Mann.

Byline: Sam Mann

I could hardly contain my excitement when I received an invite to the gala premiere of Elvis, That's The Way It Is. It felt as though the King Of Rock 'N' Roll had invited me personally, which everyone knows is impossible - although a few years ago my dad was convinced he saw Elvis on the terraces at Birmingham City football ground, so who knows?

A host of celebs turned out to watch the film of the ultimate performer, with Bill Wyman and his wife Suzanne, John Altman, Katy Hill and Sara Cawood among the popcorn munchers. Frank Skinner kicked off the evening by confessing he's been an Elvis fan from such an early age he was in liquid form, which put me right off my Maltesers! The movie was fantastic. In fact, the glitzy audience were so impressed the King got a standing ovation, which I didn't contribute to as I was still catching my breath from jiving in the aisles. The whole evening only strengthened my belief in John Lennon's famous quote, "Before Elvis, there was nothing".

There only has to be a mention of good grub and I'm there in a flash. And this week I broke the land-speed record between my Islington pad and St Christopher's Place, for the opening of Carluccio's Deli-Caffe, in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust.

I was the first there. After dilly-dallying on the doorstep I decided that, as a trend-setter, I have no need to be fashionably late and by being so early I could enjoy the Italian cuisine without interruption. So in true Loyd Grossman-style I sampled every nibble, using Campari to clear my palate. By the time I'd tasted everything, presenter Sarah Greene, Watchdog's Alice Beer, designer Wayne Hemingway and DJ Paul Gambaccini had all joined me in enjoying the Italian hospitality.

I got rather over-excited when I spotted Cookery Queen Jane Asher, as I'm a big fan of her exceedingly good cakes. Or is that Mr Kipling? Anyway, for someone who has a website dedicated to party cakes you'd have thought she'd have brought a few chocolate eclairs. Alas, there was not a sweet thing in sight, except for the star auctioneer Stephen Fry, who remained calm amid the general bustle.

The star item up for auction was a Vespa and as Stephen began talking bids the bike seemed to gleam at me from across the room. I battled with a voice inside me that kept telling me how easy it would be to get around London from party to party, riding proudly on the two-wheeler. Luckily, as the bidding went over the pounds 2,000 mark I snapped back to reality. Yes, I do possess willpower and, thankfully for my landlord's sake, I'll be able to pay the rent this month.

The night was a huge success, and I left broke but happy with a freebie bagful of bread, jam and OJ. The following morning I woke to find myself battered, bruised and bed-bound. Was it the seven glasses of champagne? No. The campari and rich food? I don't think so. The Italian bear hugs from Carluccio? Definitely not.

Then it dawned on me. I'd spent the last hour of the evening on a table doing a drunken and foolish impression of Elvis The Pelvis.

CAPTION(S):

ELVISLY YOURS: Frank Skinner and girlfriend Caroline; THE WYMANS: Bill and Suzanne; EASY RIDERS: (Clockwise from above): John Altman, a Vespa, Katy Hill, Sara Cawood and Stephen Fry