IT was, by any standards, an extraordinary night for an extraordinary man. At the dinner celebrating Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday there were enough stars - from Sir Elton John to Robert De Niro, from Uma Thurman to Neil Diamond - and statesmen to put most Hollywood gatherings to shame. And the stars certainly brought along their cash, raising more than 5 million for Mandela's many charities. Will Smith led the way with a particularly energetic performance as the auctioneer, squeezing every last penny out of the stars on five very special lots. At one point, he picked on a giggling Emma Thompson, cajoling her into bidding for a signed painting of the birthday boy. But it was a bronze mould of Mandela's hand that fetched the top price - a whopping 1.75 million. Sir Elton John serenaded Mandela with a rendition of Happy Birthday on the grand piano, and guests were also treated to a performance by the Soweto gospel choir. The party took place in a specially erected marquee in Hyde Park, just behind the stage where Mandela's 90th birthday concert takes place tomorrow night. It was decorated with a kitsch African theme - including an orange carpet, zebra-patterned plates and leopard print glasses. Oscar winning actor Forest Whitaker gave a moving speech, while Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former president Bill Clinton both paid tribute. A source said: "Nelson was never meant to stay late, as he is getting old. But he was having such a great time be decided to hang on, and didn't leave until 10pm." Among the the array of guests was disgraced model Naomi Campbell, who had been removed from the presenter's list at Mandela's birthday concert tomorrow at the request of the man himself. The former South African leader personally told organisers to take the supermodel off the list of presenters following her recent air rage conviction. Despite being left out of the concert, Campbell arrived at Mandela's birthday bash on the arm of her new boyfriend, Brazilian businessman Marcus Elias. Miss Campbell left little to the imagination in a slashed-to-the-navel corset top under her transparent chiffon dress. And she wasn't the only one causing a stir with her risque outfit, racing driver Lewis Hamlilton's pop star girlfriend Pussycat Doll Scherzinger caused a stir in a lacy and satin ensemble which exposed her black bra. But amid all the glamour at the dinner in Hyde Park, with a menu by Gordon Ramsay and corporate tables costing 100,000, there was also hard politics, and a message heard around the world. After weeks of pre-election violence in Zimbabwe, and repeated promises from Mr Mandela that he would not be making any political statements, he finally broke his silence to condemn Robert Mugabe. His remarks - brief, but with an impact beyond measure - came in a speech detailing the human suffering, poverty and deprivation around the world. 'Nearer to home we had seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe,' he said. Then, while his words were rushed to every corner of the globe, dinner guests returned their attention to the two great themes of the evening, raising money for Mr Mandela's charities, and having fun; for no evening with him can ever be without his particular brand of infectious joy.- Daily Mail Chat show queen Oprah Winfrey was chatting with Gordon Brown - not only were they deep in conversation, but she was clasping his hand in a very touchy-feely way. They don't really do touchy-feely back in Kirkcaldy, but the premier seemed to cope. Elsewhere, the evening looked like a sponsored hug: Bob Geldof hugging Cherie Blair, Sir Elton kissing Arpad Busson, the hedge fund king (and Thurman's boyfriend); Representing Hollywood was Robert De Niro and wife Grace Hightower, Denzel Washington and wife Pauletta, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, Sex And The City star Kim Cattrall. Brit stars included Emma Thompson who was serenaded by Will Smith in the charity auction and Pierce Brosnan. Charity campaigner Bob Geldof, who has worked with Mandela on projects in Africa in the past, dumped his usual scruffy style for a smart white suit. For the music world, X Factor winner Leona Lewis joined Sugababes, soprano Katherine Jenkins, Annie Lennox, Queen frontman Paul Rodgers, Peter Gabriel and Joan Baez. Other guests included Boris Becker, Sir Richard Branson and his family, Cherie Blair and designer Oswald Boateng. Many of the celebrities in attendance of tonight's dinner are ambassadors for the former South African president's many charities, including The Nelson Mandela Foundation and 46664. Providing the food was celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who took time out of manning the kitchen to mingle with the a-list guests and attend to his wife Tana. Many of the attendees will be gracing the stage at Mandela's birthday concert on Friday. Rapper/actor Will Smith will host the event, which will feature performances by Amy Winehouse, Queen with Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Leona Lewis, Sugababes, Razorlight, Jamelia, Joan Baez and Simple Minds. Special guests set to appear include Gordon Brown, Lewis Hamilton, Prince William and Prince Harry, and Bill and Hillary Clinton.