John McCain’s campaign has asked a Hollywood agent to sprinkle some glitter over his anointment as the Republican nominee - while Barack Obama frets about celebrities stampeding towards the Democratic convention in Denver next week.

Jeffrey Barry of the William Morris agency is reported to have been engaged to make the Republican convention in Minnesota shine a little brighter. So far the headline act at the event’s “kick off” party is expected to be the ageing Beach Boys band. Mr Barry is said to have signed up “Redneck Woman” singer Gretchen Wilson for an event on September 2.

Robin Bronk, the director of the coalition, said the Republicans were keen to use Hollywood and show business to reach a wider spectrum of voters. “I think it’s a generational thing with McCain,” he said. “When the extent of diversity is how old all the white men on your ticket are, it doesn’t make for four compelling days of political conversation.”