Coronation Street and Made in Chelsea stars descend on Wolverhampton

More than 400 glammed-up guests gathered for the launch of a new beauty aid created by the 15-year-old daughter of South Staffordshire beautician Deborah Mitchell whose £10 million-a-year business is endorsed by celebrities like Danni Minouge, Katie Price and Martine McCutcheon.

Singer and actress McCutcheon was expected to be at last night's bash, held at the stadium's recently opened WV1 bar and restaurant, but the news last week that she has been declared bankrupt is thought to have led to her absence.

Sophie Webster, and Catherine Tyldesley, otherwise known as soapland's sexiest barmaid Eva Price, more than made up for the no-show.

Also present were Made In Chelsea stars Binky Felstead and Louise Thompson. The celebrities sipped champagne and mingled with special guests in the VIP section.

Catherine Tyldesley launched the product, organic skin wipes, on stage, talking of the importance for actresses of finding the right cleansing products.

"We're always putting make-up on or off - we're like drag queens," said the down-to-earth actress and former fattie, who showed off her stunning size 10 figure in a black fitted knee-length dress.

Rugeley-born Deborah Mitchell, whose beauty firm Heaven makes the natural botox alternative Bee Venom, was thrilled with the turn-out.

Earlier in the day she heard she had been named Streamline Midlands Woman of the Year, winning £10,000 and a place in the national final, the latest in a string of awards heaped on the 47-year-old entrepreneur, who lives in Codsall.

But for her, the night was all about her daughter, Ellajane, who co-produced the new wipes in time off from her studies at the independent Ellesmere College, near Shrewsbury.

"I'm so proud of her - she's a little gem. She was the one who persuaded me to go ahead with the product. She wanted to use facial wipes and I wouldn't let her because they contain chlorine and I felt they were too dangerous.

"So she told me I should make some that would be okay for her to use. I said 'I haven't got the time - you make them' and she did."

Deborah also counts among her customers the Duchess of Cornwall who has introduced mother-to-be Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, to her beauty range.

"When Ella was nine years old I took her to the Palace, at Camilla's invitation, with my mum Sheila to see the Trooping Of The Colour. I turned my back for a minute and there she was playing the Palace harp. That was then, and just look at her now.

"I love her tenacity. She designed all the packaging, it's her signature. Her attention to detail has made the product perfect."

Ellajane Celebrity Skin Wipes, which include apple pectin and honey, had already sold 8,000 in advance sales ahead of last night's launch, many of them to American customers.

Ellajane said: "My mum is an inspiration."

Asked about the location of the launch, Deborah disclosed some had doubted her choice.

"People asked "Why in the Midlands - celebrities won't come" but I feel if they like the brand they will travel anywhere."

Made In Chelsea's Louise Thompson was delighted to be in Wolverhampton. "It didn't take us long to get here, it's a fantastic event - we'll come again."

Catherine Tyldesley revealed she is no stranger to the Midlands. The 29-year-old Corrie star worked at Superdrug in Wolverhampton when she studied at the Birmingham School of Acting before graduating in 2005.

"I was mainly at the Birmingham store but used to come over to Wolverhampton when they needed me, I've got good memories of the place."

But speaking of the soap's upcoming fire at The Rovers Return and rumours of characters being killed off, she claimed ignorance.

"The last time something like this happened, and we heard a character was going to die, I said it would be Barbara Knox (who plays corner shop owner Rita Tanner) and I got that wrong. They keep the actors in the dark to the last minute."

Brooke Vincent, chic in a short lace-effect skirt, lemon top and a padded-sleeve jacket with her hair swept up in a bun, spoke of the gruelling hours on set.

"We've just worked a week of night shifts on the fire scenes so we're shattered. Everyone will find out what happens in just over four weeks time when it's screened."

The 20-year-old declined to speak about Michael Le Vell, the actor who plays her screen father Kevin Webster, who has been suspended from the show after last week being charged with 19 sexual offences.

People from around the region and beyond, including Leicester and North Yorkshire, danced to Stevie Wonder and Simply Red played by a live band.

Waiters circulated with trays of creative canapes and glitter-dusted cupcakes, and everyone left with a goody bag.

Among the guests were Simon Cowell lookalike Andrew Monk, 53, who was with his Dudley-born fiance Rose Cook, a Debbie Harry lookalike for 20 years.

For more pictures see the April edition of the Wolverhampton Magazine on sale from March 20.