Is this art?

Pop stars, fashion icons, film stars, soap stars, scores of naked members of the public - and just a bit of art on the side.

Charles Saatchi's collection of works by the infamous Young British Artists was comprehensively outshone ... by the guests attending the opening of his new County Hall gallery.

Although the millionaire collector did not, as predicted, attend his own party, the adman in him would have rejoiced to witness the roster of celebrities who did turn up.

Top of the list was Saatchi's partner, food writer and TV chef Nigella Lawson, resplendent in black Vivienne Westwood. She has witnessed Saatchi's transformation of the building that once hosted GLC apparatchiks into a shining new monument to his collection, which boasts Damien Hirst's rotting shark, Tracey Emin's soiled bed, Chris Ofili's elephant dung Madonna and many other YBA signature works.

She said: "It has been very exciting to watch it take shape and come to life." Ms Lawson refused to say which was her favourite work and was not keen on all the attention she attracted. Referring to one of Hirst's works, a sheep in formaldehyde, she said: "Tonight it feels like I am the sacrificial lamb."

For many of the 1,000 guests, viewing the art did not appear a particular priority. However Jade Jagger hardly had a choice in the matter - because the art seemed keen to view her.

Photographer Spencer Tunick staged one of his "happenings" on the stairs, taking photographs of up to 80 naked volunteers. One of the male volunteers caught sight of Ms Jagger and pursued her for a chat.

Author Kathy Lette spread herself across a tapestry of naked flesh, proclaiming: "I'm networking, darling - like I've never networked before." TV presenter Toby Anstiss was also last seen in the mass of writhing naked bodies.

Guests, who included DJ Sara Cox, Lord Heseltine, newly-wed Mariella Frostrup, Jeremy Irons, Graham Le Saux, Stephen Fry and David Bailey, were offered a house cocktail christened the Sharkbite - in honour of Hirst, whose work makes up the first major exhibition. Alan Yentob, who is making a BBC documentary about the gallery, said: "I think this location has been a surprise to everybody, and I think the gallery will allow many more people to see this art. "

Actress Samantha Morton, whose boyfriend is an artist, said:
"I'm so impressed with Saatchi. He's just gone ahead and done it and he doesn't care what people think - and that's wonderful."

Norman Rosenthal was director of the Royal Academy when it hosted the Sensation! exhibition of 1998 that cemented Saatchi's international reputation as a collector. He said: "It's showing the best of British art of its period."

Former ICA chairman Ivan Massow, who lost the post for branding conceptual art "self-indulgent tat I wouldn't accept as a gift", said: "It's not so much a gallery - more a museum."

Sir Trevor Nunn, who has just stepped down as artistic director of the National Theatre, said: "It's spectacular isn't it? What a great addition to the South Bank."

Hirst did not attend the show as he is on holiday in Mexico. He is understood to resent Saatchi's ownership of his catalogue of work which he would like to see exhibited in Tate Modern.

It is also understood that Hirst is unhappy that Saatchi has even displayed a Mini decorated with his signature spots that was meant to be driven, not used as a work of art. Emin, the greatest YBA star of all, did attend, and declared the gallery "fantastic".

Outside the gallery, a man spotted by security guards acting suspiciously was found to be carrying knives and a can of red paint. The Evening Standard was told: "He seemed to have some kind of problem with Tracey Emin."

A New Scotland Yard spokesman said this morning: "A man was arrested by police following a routine search."

The gallery opens to the public tomorrow with tickets at £8.50.