Tom Cruise was guest of honour at a lavish Scientology event in West Sussex, quashing rumours that he had left the controversial sect.
About 2,500 guests paid up to GBP2,000 each to be in the company of the Hollywood star who had reportedly been distancing himself from Scientology since his shock divorce in June from actress wife Katie Holmes, 33.
Cruise, 50, broke off from shooting his new movie, All You Need Is Kill, to attend the 28th Anniversary Patrons Ball for the International Association of Scientologists on October 20 at the church's UK headquarters at Saint Hill Manor near Gatwick.
A guest said: 'Tom was with a girl with cropped black hair who was wearing a red velvet dress. He was seated at a table of 12 in a special VIP area. Many guests approached him to shake his hand at the end of the meal.
'He looked at home and stood up to sing along to the Scientology anthem at the end before leaving a little earlier than everyone else.'
At the event Cruise was proudly wearing his hefty Freedom Medal of Valor a sizeable Scientology gong, about 4ins across, created for him. The medal was given to him by Church leader David Miscavige, who has called the actor 'the most dedicated Scientologist I know'. There have been reports that Cruise was suffering from a "crisis of faith" since his divorce. Holmes has left the faith and won custody of their six-year-old daughter, Suri. Followers are encouraged to "cut off" family members who are no longer involved, although Cruise has fiercely denied reports that he has chosen Scientology over seeing Suri since the divorce.
But the actor has now publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the church by appearing at the secretive convention, chaired by Miscavige.
The insider added: "Tom seemed delighted that there were so many well-wishers. It was his first major public appearance at a church event since his divorce and it seemed pretty clear that he hasn't left the religion."
