When Phil Starr died suddenly in the autumn, it was decided almost immediately to put on a dazzling cabaret show in his honour.

An evening high in glitz, glamour, music and comedy seemed the only way to celebrate the life of man who entertained for 50 years.

Phil was a legend in the cabaret world and Brighton felt a huge loss when he died suddenly in October, aged 73.

But, says organiser Stephen Richards, aka drag act Lola Lasagne, the show will be a night of uplifting entertainment.

"He's done so much for cabaret, both on the gay and straight scene, it seems fitting to do something like this,"

Stephen says. "The night will have a feeling of celebration. We had the tears at the funeral - although there were a lot of laughs then, too."

The show will represent different stages of Phil's colourful career.

Reflecting his time on the music hall scene will be Paul James, Billy Knutt and Peter Anthony. On behalf of his friends in Brighton, which was his home for the last years of his life, there will be performances from Drag With No Name and Lola Lasagne.

Phil was well known in London, too, having launched and then managed legendary cabaret bar The Two Brewers, Clapham, which celebrates 25 years as a gay venue in March.

Many acts who have graced the venue's stage are appearing, such as Claudia Patrice, The Boy George Experience, Topping and Butch, The D.E.

Experience and Katrina And The Boy.

During the past five years, Phil performed as one half of Arsenic And Old Lace, with a show which was dear to the hearts of many. Therefore, topping the bill will be the other half, Maisie Trollette.

Jennifer Scott and Lola will compere the night, with a finale by the Rainbow Chorus and Brighton Gay Men's Chorus.

Organisers hope to have footage of Phil shown on screen throughout the show. "He'll probably steal the show,"

says Stephen. "Phil very rarely had a bad show. He always made people laugh and we hope to do the same in his honour."

All profits from the evening will go to Phil's favourite charities, Sussex Beacon and Shoreham Dog's Trust.

The following week, on Sunday, February 5, the Queen's Arms, George Street, Brighton, will be hosting a fundraising night in Phil's memory.

Born James Arthur Fuller in Croydon, 1932, Phil was the first performer at Legends when the Brighton bar, now closed for refurbishment, opened 14 years ago. His last show was on October 1, at the same venue.

Phil had recently taken over managing the hotel and piano bar at Starrs Hotel and during his career raised thousands of pounds for charity, including for children orphaned by the Asian tsunami.

Before his death, he had been working on a BBC sitcom called Over The Rainbow with EastEnders actress June Brown but filming had not yet begun when he died unexpectedly at home on October 17. "It was a privilege to watch Phil but also to know him," says Stephen. "We're saying goodbye to a star."