THERE was a sprinkle of old school Hollywood glamour in Bournemouth yesterday when a famous icon came to town.

Marilyn Monroe cut the ribbon for the new Celebrity Exhibition at the BIC as members of the public looked up in awe.

She said: “I was looking in my wardrobe one day and I couldn’t find my little black dress. But I found it here and now you can see it too.”

Okay, so it wasn’t the real Marilyn Monroe but, for a moment there, you did a double take. A lady with the same glamour and poise as her and she wears the trademark red lipstick, real name Suzie Kennedy, has got the act down to the iconic Hollywood pose.

Her favourite piece in the exhibition is two icons in their own right.

She said: “I like to see the Sooty and Sweep puppets; they’re my favourite.”

She added: “I think Marilyn would like Bournemouth because it’s right by the sea, but obviously she never came because it was too far from her home. But it’s a bit like her film Some Like It Hot because it’s by the beach.”

Suzie said the best part of her job is that “You make people happy.”

She added: “Because she is dead, you’re the closest they’re going to get to Marilyn Monroe. It’s the best job in the world.”

Gail Collins, BIC event curator, said: “The exhibition is made up of iconic celebrity articles, film props and movie treasures and they’re all originals.

“They’ve been bought from auctions, personal collections and from Hollywood.

“There’s something here for the kids and for families. Everyone is going to come in here and find something they like.

“In total, there are around 66 items to look at. Some of them still have their Sotheby’s or Christie’s tags from auctions, or personal collections. Most of the items have a little story next to them.

“The exhibition has travelled round the country, but there are always extra things being added to it.”

Other pieces on show include a jacket from Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, Geri Halliwell’s boots from the Spice Girls, a drum signed by Oasis and wands from Harry Potter.

The Celebrity Exhibition is running from today to Monday August 29.