The crowd was almost as excited about the leading ladies' outfits as they were about the plot and there were no disappointments on the red carpet at the Odeon, Leicester Square, which had been sprinkled with sparkles for the occasion.

First to arrive was Sarah Jessica Parker, wearing a pale green dress by Alexander McQueen.

The outfit was pure Carrie, her character in the show, so the crowd were not wrong when they shouted: "We want Carrie," rather than the actress's name.

Topping the outfit was a green headpiece almost as tall as the star, featuring flowers, grasses and a butterfly, by Philip Treacy. Asked why the premiere was in London and not New York, where the series is set, she said: "We decided to have it here and we're delighted to be here."

She declined to answer questions on rumours of a rift with co-star Kim Cattrall, who plays PR executive Samantha Jones.

Cattrall was the second to arrive, wearing a red off-the-shoulder knee-length dress with a faint stripe by Vivienne Westwood. She said she was delighted to be in London.

"In the four years since the series ended, I have been spending a lot of time with friends and family in Britain and working here. I even have an Oyster card."

It was said Cattrall was the one whose demands delayed the new film.. Asked if she would be willing to do a sequel, she said: "Perhaps."

Cynthia Nixon, who plays lawyer Miranda Hobbes, arrived wearing a floor-length pleated black Calvin Klein dress, which was very revealing at the thighs.

She spoke to fans, but carefully avoided the media.

Kristin Davis was the last of the foursome to arrive, wearing a cherry-red vintage sleeveless dress and cream peep-toe heels.

She was also diplomatic when asked why the world premiere was being held in London.

"Why not England? I like Britain. There's enough of us to go round."