Rod Stewart was the first celebrity to show open support for the unions in their fight against the coalition government's cuts to public services. At a crowded open-air meeting in Trafalgar Square during the weekend, he called on people to stop the government before they even started. "The first cut is the deepest. Baby, I know the first cut is the deepest" and implored the crowd to act immediately with confidence enthusiastically shouting: "Tonight's the night! It's gonna be alright!"
However, Mr Stewart met his match when Dame Shirley Bassey, a long-term supporter of the Conservative Party, entered the frame. First showing respect for Mr Stewart she said "The moment you walked into the joint I could see you were a man of distinction…" At which point Mr Stewart interrupted and quipped "Yes, but d'ya think I'm sexy?" Unrelented Dame Bassey continued "…but the fact is the previous government was a big spender. A real big spender!"
While Echo and the Bunnymen performed "The Cutter" the two continued to share their differences on-stage.
The subsequent discussion deteriorated to argument then insulting exchanges at which point the crowd started shouting "Fight! Fight! Fight!" whereupon an excited Elton John surprisingly leapt onto the stage and goaded them further: "Bring it on, guys! Saturday night's alright for fighting!"
After matters got physical, Mr Stewart and Dame Bassey were dragged off the stage by police. Shaking his head Rod later said "Oh Shirley I wish I had never seen your face."
