The celebrities are gathering for the London Golf Show.

Last year's show was memorable for the number of well-known faces from sport, stage and screen who attended - and this year's is unlikely to be any different.

BBC presenter John Inverdale heads a list of sports personalities who will attend on behalf of the benefiting charity, Sparks.

He will be joined by former England rugby captain and world cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio; ex-England cricketer Mark Ilott; and former footballers Sir Trevor Brooking, Jimmy Hill, Saints legend Matt Le Tissier, Steve Sedgley, Lee Sharpe, Hans Segers and Russell Osman among others.

EastEnders duo John Bardon and Derek Martin - Jim Branning and Charlie Slater in the show - who thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the show last year, will return, and they will be joined by Radio One's DJ Spoony, Radio Two's Tim Smith, TV presenter Vernon Kay, comedian Bobby Davro and up-and-coming PGA pro Zane Scotland, who have all expressed their desire to attend.

Throw in those who turn up on the day, and it's easy to see why the event, at ExCeL-London, from April 27-30, will be an autograph hunter's dream.

Jimmy Hill, a founder of Sparks (Sport Aiding Medical Research for Children), explained: "Last year's London Golf Show was a terrific event and I'm praying that this year's event will be even bigger and better and, as a result of its generosity, will make an invaluable contribution to the lives of children who will benefit from the medical research funded by Sparks."

Many of the leading manufacturers have already signed up to the show - including Mizuno, Wilson, Nike, Snake Eyes, Taylor Made and Srixon.

The stampede of exhibitors is of no surprise following the success of the first staging of the London Golf Show in 2005. It was an innovative, consumer-led show which covered all aspects of the golfing spectrum - from swing aids to golf travel hot spots and from golf simulators to top quality apparel and a dazzling, ground-breaking fashion show. And with the jewel in the crown arguably the 'floating green' moored in Victoria Dock, there were no shortage of tempters to lure back the 300-plus exhibitors.