5:51am Saturday 1st November 2008
© Press Association 2010
Hundreds of children descended on suspended £6 million-a-year BBC star Jonathan Ross's house for his annual Halloween extravaganza.
Amid all the merriment, there was no sign of the doom and gloom prompted by the furore over his and fellow comedian Russell Brand's lewd phone calls to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs - or of the man himself.
Mr Ross's multi-million pound north London home had been given a thorough makeover for the occasion and boasted screaming voice boxes, police tape, giant wooden gates, orange and red lighting and a smoke machine.
The entertainment included stilt walkers and dwarves dressed as aliens, while trick or treaters were kept at bay with doughnuts and candyfloss.
To continue the extraterrestrial theme, two men wearing white forensic suits and gas masks scanned the youngsters with Geiger counters before they were allowed in.
Referring to the place in America where UFO enthusiasts believe evidence of alien activity has been discovered, six warning signs on the gate read: "Non-existent research facility. Use of deadly force authorised - Area 51.
"Photography prohibited. It is unlawful to make any photograph, film, map, sketch, picture, drawing, graphic representation of this fanciful area."
Outside a horde of photographers were gathered in the hope of catching a glimpse of the party's host.
Last year 1,200 children attended the event, according to one of the party's organisers.
Earlier in the day, Mr Ross took delivery of 1,000 Krispy Kreme Halloween-themed doughnuts from Harrods.
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