Elton John and David Furnish threw a stag party with a difference to celebrate their imminent "marriage", with a host of celebrities and male models.

Elton and David plan to hold a civil partnership ceremony on December 21, 2005 -- the first day such vows can be exchanged in England and Wales under a new law giving legal recognition to gay relationships.

To mark the occasion, the high-profile couple held a joint stag party at the Too2Much club in London's trendy West End.

Among some 180 friends and family who were invited were rock star Bryan Adams, members of the US pop group Scissor Sisters and reformed boy band Take That. Actresses Liz Hurley and Elizabeth Taylor were also reportedly on the guest list.

Television presenter Paul O'Grady, who compered the party, said: "We're going to tie them to a lamppost, cover them with shaving foam -- it's an old-fashioned stag do." In Britain, heterosexual couples traditionally go out and celebrate separately ahead of their wedding.

Women throw so-called hen parties, which typically involves a lot of drinking, hiring a male stripper and making the bride-to-be do stupid dares. At the same time, the men have a large night out which also often comprises alcohol, strip clubs and bad behaviour.

Elton and David did it slightly differently by holding the party together.

Inside the exclusive venue, topless waiters wearing black ties and riding boots were seen serving guests with flutes of champagne, while deliveries of sushi and presents were taken through the main entrance.

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