Cheeky Girl begs Lembit the comic not to have last laugh

Did you hear the one about the ex-MP and his former pop star fiancée?

The joke was on Lembit Opik today as he made his debut as a stand-up comedian, only to have an old flame steal the show.

Cheeky Girl singer Gabriela Irimia emerged from his past to beg him not to make jokes about their relationship during his 15-minute appearance tonight at the Backstage Comedy Club in Leicester Square.

"So many things have happened in Lembit's life that he can make fun of, but what I do not want him to do is make fun of our relationship," she said.

Mr Opik went out with Gabriela, whose best-known work with sister Monica is the million-selling record "The Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum)", for three years.

"I've been having butterflies for the last few days, but there's no turning back now," he said.