Hollywood legend Julie Andrews sent a blizzard of colour, confetti and streamers blowing across Southampton when she named the world's newest luxury cruise ship in the city yesterday.

The celebrated superstar, who set the hills alive with The Sound of Music, drifted over London rooftops under an umbrella as Mary Poppins and was a Thoroughly Modern Millie, took on a new starring role in the spectacular dockside ceremony.

Once raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens and brown paper packages tied up with string were among her favourite things, but now Dame Julie - she was in the Queen's Honours list three years ago - can add a 68,000-ton cruise ship to the list.

The film star and singer was in Southampton to officially name and become godmother to the vessel Crystal Serenity in what was one of the most glamorous occasions of its kind seen in the city.

As the traditional champagne splashed over the ship, the air was filled with flurries of tickertape and ribbons, the sound of the vessel's whistle boomed out across the port and a choir burst into song, singing many of Dame Julie's smash hits.

"What a wonderful day. In my long career I have had the opportunity to sing, write, act and soon to direct, but I have never been called on to christen a ship,'' said Dame Julie.

"It really has been great fun. All I was worried about was the bottle of champagne breaking on the side of the ship. I just kept thinking 'Please, please let it smash,' and luckily it did!''

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