THE original Calendar Girl is to speak about her life and rubbing shoulders with Gary Barlow at an event supporting Marie Curie and its Bradford hospice.

A chance meeting led to Angela Baker, now known as Angela Knowles, agreeing to support the charity's annual fundraising ladies luncheon.

Organisers hope around 200 people will support the event which will be held at the city centre's Midland Hotel on Thursday, May 7.

Marie Curie Community Fundraiser Sharon Link said she worked with a development board, called Naylor Wintersgill, which was a corporate group of people helping to raise money for the hospice.

Its chairman, Alan Wintersgill, was sat next to Mrs Knowles at a theatre in Geneva, where his daughter was performing in a stage version of Calendar Girls, and asked if she would speak.

Mrs Knowles, who lives in Linton Falls, lost husband John Baker in 1998 to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Following his death, she decided to raise money for Lymphoma and Leukaemia Research by asking Rylstone and District WI members to pose naked with strategically placed flowers and cakes for a charity calendar.

The women's story was turned into a film starring Julie Walters and Dame Helen Mirren in 2003.

Five years later it became a stage play and had a long and successful tour of the country, with a changing cast that included Coronation Street star Julie Goodyear, Kelly Brook and the late Lynda Bellingham.

So far almost £4 million has been raised for the charity with more to follow. The story is about to take centre stage again when a new musical penned by Take That's Gary Barlow and Tim Firth opens in Leeds in November.

"I’m hoping Angela will be quite a draw because they’re just about to launch their musical with Gary Barlow who was up here recently. She’ll be talking about the experience of meeting Gary in her speech," Mrs Link said.

"We are immensely grateful to everyone who has given their support to the event, especially Pace Plc who is sponsoring the event. Also, all the businesses who have taken tables and offered donations of prizes for the luncheon.

"Our nurses work night and day, in people’s homes across the UK, providing hands-on care and emotional support. Raising funds on the day will help us to continue to do that.

"We’ve already sold about 160 to 170 tickets so it’s looking good already."

Tables are still available at £400 each or individual tickets at £40 a head which includes a two course lunch, coffee and a pre-lunch drinks reception with canapes.

For further information or to buy tickets, contact Mrs Link by e-mailing Sharon.Link@marie.curie.org.uk or calling 01274 337036.