Travolta wows charity crowd

ITN Channel 4, UK/October 31, 2005

Hollywood star John Travolta has made a stir at a charity ball by performing an impromptu Grease-style dance with his wife.

The usually private actor, famed for his dancing roles in movies such as Saturday Night Fever and Grease, got up and joined soul singer Isaac Hayes on stage.

Thousands of people who packed into a giant marquee at the UK base of the Church of Scientology in East Grinstead hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pulp Fiction star danced along in disbelief.

Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, took centre stage on a raised podium to dance to the soul classic Stand By Me.

Other performers flown in for the fundraising event at the church's fairytale castle, including Broadway singer James Barber, musician Mark Isham and female vocalist Elena Roggero, also flooded back on to the stage for the finale.

Organisers of the event, the International Association of Scientologists, said Travolta - who pilots his own jetliners - had flown in especially for the gala ball, and was expected to leave the next day.

During the concert, cheques were presented to a number of UK charities including Age Concern, the Royal Commonwealth Society, who made Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard a life-long member, and the City of London Police's charity City Kids, designed to support inner-city children and those affected by the July 7 bombings.

Travolta, who received a standing ovation as he walked into the marquee, is a firm supporter of the Church of Scientology along with fellow Hollywood legend Tom Cruise.