A spokesman for Rosebery's said that her manager had been very clear about what was to be taken from the apartment, but the auction house are now doing everything possible to contact the buyers with a view to retrieving the awards.
The Variety Club has been sympathetic. Director Hugo Amay-Torres said "I am sure that Dame Shirley will be very sorry. She was thrilled when she received them."
This is an unexpected postscript to the auction. It's good news for fans. Many were concerned that selling some of her hard-won Awards meant she might be considering retirement. Or somehow turning her back on showbiz. But there is no doubt that Shirley is an irrepressible socialite, has many real showbiz friends including Joan Collins. She loves performing on stage, and truly values all the awards received in her long career. She's in good health, good voice and enjoying life.
Apart from this mix-up, the auction was a great success.
As Shirley sings in the self-mocking song Nobody Does It Like Me:
# If there's a wrong way to do it, a right way to screw it up, nobody does it like me #
Thanks to Peggy for providing the report.
