SHOWBUSINESS legend Pat Kirkwood will host a special charity luncheon in Ilkley to coincide with the release of her autobiography.

The highest paid musical star in Britain during the 1940s and 1950s, whose fabulous legs were described by Kenneth Tynan as 'the eighth wonder of the world' has written what has been hailed as 'a certain bestseller'.

Miss Kirkwood's book lifts the lid on many showbusiness secrets during her glittering career lasting 64 years.

The most eagerly awaited chapter concerns allegations by royal historians that she had an affair with Prince Philip.

Admitting that she danced the night away with Prince Philip in a Mayfair night club and breakfasted with him at dawn, Miss Kirkwood emphatically denies any sexual relationship.

She also scotches the persistent rumour that Prince Philip gave her a white Rolls Royce.

Miss Kirkwood said: "I do possess a white Rolls Royce - it stands on the mantelpiece of my home in Bingley, and was given to me by my second husband, Sparky, at the time the rumours began."

She adds that her subsequent meetings with Prince Philip - all in the presence of the Queen - were at a West End pantomime in which she starred as principal boy (the critic, Sir Harold Hobson, called her 'the greatest principal boy of the century'), and at three Royal Command Performances in which she appeared.

She reveals that last time she was presented to Prince Philip - at a meeting of the World Wildlife Fund during the 1980s - he failed to recognise her.

Miss Kirkwood's book, which has a foreword by Patricia Hodge - who co-starred with her in the 1976 revival of Pal Joey - is accompanied by a new CD, 'Miss show Business' released by Blue Silver Records, and packed with great hits from her film and stage career.

After her return from a hectic promotional visit to London, Ilkley's Grove Bookshop will host the lunch on June 24, in aid of the Save the Children Fund. She will speak to diners and sign copies of her autobiography.

For details of the venue and to reserve a place at the lunch, please telephone The Grove Bookshop or call in.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.