Celebrity judges may have brought some small screen glamour to Hampstead on Saturday but the real stars of the show at the annual Pup Idol competition were the prized pooches.

Ham & High: Third prize winner in best dressed Biba with owner Teddy, nine, who had dressed to mark Armed Forces Day.Third prize winner in best dressed Biba with owner Teddy, nine, who had dressed to mark Armed Forces Day. (Image: Archant)

Downton Abbey star and trustee of East Finchley re-homing charity All Dogs Matter, Peter Egan, returned for another year to judge waggily tailed contestants in six categories at renowned canine friendly pub the Spaniards Inn in Spaniards Road.

He was joined by Coronation Street regular Michelle Collins along with TV vet Marc Abraham and owner of Highgate doggy boutique Hair of the Dog Moe Wurr.

The talent show raised nearly £2,500 for All Dogs Matter, based in Aylmer Parade, which has re-homed 126 dogs so far this year.

Mr Egan said: “It was a marvellous afternoon. As long as I keep walking, I’ll come back and judge every year.

“Most of the dogs at All Dogs Matter need to be vaccinated and neutered. We take this issue very seriously so we need to raise the money.

“I had a slightly dodgy tummy on the day because I had just returned from Kabul in Afghanistan to visit a dog shelter out there but that was the only downside of the day.”

Actress Ms Collins added: “I did have my favourites, but all the dogs were winners in my eyes. The day was such good fun and it was great to take part in a local event at such a dog-friendly pub.”

Cream cockapoo breed, Coconut, a cross between a cocker spaniel and a toy poodle, won the cutest pup gong while the best rescue dog prize was awarded to Digby, a Staffordshire bull terrier.

Welsh terrier Cassrey showed the crowd of over 250 people that old dogs can learn new tricks while the Mr and Miss Hampstead crowns were given to greyhound Percy and Staffordshire bull terrier, Possum, respectively.

Bichon frisé Otis faced fierce competition from a James Bond lookalike in the best dressed category, but beat all the other contenders to come out on top with his froggy costume alongside his owner’s daughter dressed up as a princess.

Mr Abraham, who runs Pup Aid, an annual event in Primrose Hill to raise awareness about puppy farming, said: “It was great to be able to judge alongside real animal lovers.

“I had a few favourites, including an ex-puppy farm golden retriever bitch. There was a really special atmosphere there and it was great to be a part of it.”

Ira Moss, general manager of All Dogs Matter, said: “Pup Idol is our main fundraiser and the more money we raise, the more dogs we can save.”