Rumours regarding a mystery guest celebrity have helped make a surreal tribute to Morecambe and Wise a theatre's fastest-selling production.

Pop beauty Kylie Minogue, former 007 Sir Roger Moore and actor Ewan McGregor are among a host of stars who have already appeared in The Play What I Wrote and the question mark over who will appear during its run in Brighton has fuelled sales.

The play, which opens at the Theatre Royal on October 13, continues Eric and Ernie's tradition of tempting the acting profession's finest to make fools of themselves.

In each performance, real celebrities are persuaded to tread the boards and suffer the humiliations heaped upon him or her.

During Morecambe and Wise's heyday, household names like Lord Olivier, Andre Previn and Glenda Jackson were involved in their antics.

Ralph Fiennes did the honours on the play's opening night in London and since then stars including Bob Geldof, Minnie Driver, Liam Neeson and Jonny Lee Miller have lined up to appear.

Theatre staff are keeping tight-lipped about the identity of the mystery guests for Brighton but certain names are being whispered in the aisles.

Vic Reeves, Martin Clunes, Neil Pearson, Steve Coogan, Jonathan Ross, Neil Morrissey, Ulrika Jonsson, Jo Brand and Brighton and Hove's Zoe Ball are among the favourites.

The play, which has had two sell-out runs in the West End, follows the antics of Ben and Joe, who are a failing double act.

Joe believes if they perform a tribute to Morecambe and Wise, Ben's confidence will be restored.

But first, Joe needs to persuade a guest star to appear in the play what Ben wrote.

Tim Sitwell, of the Theatre Royal, said: "It's been the fastest-selling production we've had."

Starring Joseph Alessi, Ben Keaton and Toby Sedgwick, The Play What I Wrote runs until October 18. Call 01273 328488.