Denise Welch has opened up about the night she spent with Tom Cruise celebrating Michael Caine’s 90th birthday.
The 64-year-old Loose Women star was surrounded by A-list stars last week as she headed to the Oscar winner’s birthday dinner on Tuesday night, and they all seemed to get along on fire.
The acting legend celebrated his milestone year with an intimate dinner at London’s River Cafe with Tom Cruise, who just days before decided to skip the 2023 Academy Awards, one of the VIP guests.
Denise sent Hollywood guests into hysteria during her speech and spoke candidly about the bizarre evening when she appeared on Wednesday’s Loose Women.
She gushed about the “absolutely amazing” night, revealing she’d dreamed up a few anecdotes to get the crowd going.
Life and soul of the party: Denise Welch opened up on the night she spent with Tom Cruise last week celebrating Michael Caine’s 90th birthday
He’s a fan: Last week, Denise shared an amusing video of herself telling the crude joke that left Hollywood star Tom Cruise and other guests in absolute tizzy
Denise explained: ‘[Michael’s wife] Shakira asked me to say a few words and as much as I was flattered there isn’t a story he hasn’t already told and I was really fixated on it so she asked if I could be a little rude.
“Shakira gave a speech and David Walliams gave a very funny speech and then Tom Cruise came in and Lincoln [Denise’s husband] turned bright red because Tom is his favorite actor.
“I wasn’t feeling good and I didn’t think I could give the speech, but then a couple of people gave a speech and Joan Collins gave one and got a laugh, so I was like, ‘No, I’m not going to give this.’ so i got up and did mine!
“Since I didn’t really have a lot of stories for Michael, I thought I’d have to personalize a few jokes and pretend they were about Michael and Shakira.
“She looked at me like ‘that didn’t happen’ and I was like ‘you’re ruining it!'”
“One of the stories was about the fact that as you get older, you talk about aging a lot more, and our friends all filled in with their own lines about aging.
“I looked around and Tom Cruise was literally crying laughing and rubbing his face with a napkin and saying, ‘You kill it, you kill it.’
“Either I was in great shape that night or Tom Cruise is going to really boring dinner parties.”
Wow: Denise’s fans loved the video, with one quipping: “Tom Cruise skipping the Oscars to see Denise standing up wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card.”
Last week Denise shared an amusing video of herself telling a very crude joke at Michael’s expense at the fun dinner party.
In the clip posted to Instagram, Denise quipped, “Just the other day, Shakira said she heard a scream from downstairs, it was Michael shouting, ‘Shakira look there’s a package, my Olympic condoms have arrived.’
“He said, ‘I’m going to wear the gold ones tonight,’ and she said, ‘Why not wear the silver ones and come second for a change.’
As the camera panned around, Tom appeared to be crying with laughter as he sat next to Michael, who appeared amused as he enjoyed his glass of red wine.
The clip was directed by Denise’s husband, Lincoln, who told another partygoer, “I’m staying with her.”
In a caption alongside the video, Denise joked that it seems Hollywood star Tom enjoys a crude joke as much as her boyfriend Michael does.
She wrote: “What an honor to be asked by Shakira to say a few words on Sir Michael Caines’ 90th birthday!!! He loves dirty jokes and apparently so does @tomcruise!!!! Great night and great company.’
Denise said of the experience, “Either I was in great shape that night or Tom Cruise goes to really boring dinner parties.”
Buddies: Denise was also among the unlikely group of celebrity pals who all flocked to celebrate Michael’s big day with a sumptuous meal
Unlikely Friends! Tom joined Sir Michael Caine to celebrate his 90th birthday alongside the likes of David Walliams on Tuesday night
Denise’s fans raved about the video, with one joke: “Tom Cruise skipping the Oscars to watch Denise stand up wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card.”
Tom skipped Sunday’s Oscars, reportedly to avoid “an awkward run-in” with Nicole Kidman.
Insiders speaking to said the Top Gun: Maverick star wasn’t at the ceremony because his ex-wife was there – following their bitter divorce over 20 years ago. Cruise’s film was nominated for six awards, including the coveted Best Picture Award.
Denise cut a glamorous figure in a sparkling black dress as she took to Instagram to share a photo of herself wrapping her arms around Michael’s neck at the party.
Alongside the picture, she gushed, “Happy 90th birthday Michael Caine!!! We love you.’
Denise and Michael were introduced by her husband Lincoln Townley after the artist painted the film icon’s portrait in 2016.
Close: Denise and Michael were introduced by her husband Lincoln Townley after the artist painted the film icon’s portrait in 2016 (they are all pictured with Shakira and Nikki Caine).
Back in July, she praised their close friendship, calling him “wonderful” and a “legend.”
Speaking exclusively to Web while attending the TRIC Awards, she said: “Michael is a complete legend. I was very nervous about him when I first met him, he’s a big fan of my husband’s work. I became very good friends with Shakira and his wife.
“We see her as regularly as we can and I adore him – it’s my favorite photo in the world getting banged with Michael Caine because I feel so cool!
“We don’t seem to make such movie stars anymore. He’s just a legendary actor and he’s just wonderful.’