Sex and the City" premieres in Londo

Londoners turned out in droves late Monday for the long-awaited world première of "Sex and the City" as the global TV smash-hit charting the life and loves of four New York singletons finally hit the big screen here.

In keeping with all the glamour and glitz of the series, the frocks worn by its four principal stars to the première in Leicester Square were as eagerly awaited as any snippets about the plot, which picks up on the characters' lives four years on.

First to delight the crowds of fans was Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays the main character Carrie Bradshaw, wearing a green tulle dress by British designer Alexander McQueen and a spectacular headpiece of flowers by Philip Treacy.

British-born Cattrall, who plays man-eating exec Samantha Jones, was next on to the red carpet, wearing a striking off-the-shoulder dress in red designed by Vivienne Westwood.

Asked if she would be willing to make a sequel, Cattrall said simply: "Perhaps."

Reports say Cattrall's demands led to a delay in making the film.

Cynthia Nixon, who plays feisty lawyer Miranda Hobbes, arrived wearing a pleated, floor-length black Calvin Klein dress slashed to the thighs.

The last of the famous four to take to the carpet was Kristin Davis, wearing a cherry-red vintage sleeveless dress and cream peep-toe heels.

Asked why the world première of a film so closely associated with New York was being held in London, Davis said: "Why not England? I like Britain. There's enough of us to go round."

The producers, New Line, insist that the decision was taken simply to maximise the films "global appeal".

Fans of the series have been eagerly waiting to find out the fate of Carrie and her main love interest, Mr Big, portrayed by Chris Noth, who did not attend the première.

The film is on general release in the UK from May 28.

Via afp