Carlo Ancelotti, Duncan Ferguson, Jamie Carragher, Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton all showed up for the relaunch of one of Liverpool’s most popular Italian restaurants

Everton FC boss Carlo Ancelotti was among the local celebrities who turned out for the relaunch of Liverpool’s Il Forno restaurant.

Located in Duke Street, the popular venue reopened with VIP gala dinner after a £300,000 refurbishment. Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti and football legend Duncan Ferguson were among the star names to turn out for the event.

Other Celebrity guests included Real Housewives of Cheshire star Seema Malhotra, Atomic Kitten singers Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton, musician Jamie Webster, actress Gillian Kearney, footballers Anthony Gordon and Peter Reid and radio DJ, Pete Price.

Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher, Capital Radio’s Dylan Evans and Liverpool Lord Mayor Anna Rothery were also in attendance.

The 150-capacity restaurant, which has been a staple of Duke Street’s leisure scene for over a decade, has been significantly modernised with new lightning, new seating and a freshened up bar and lounge area.

The menu has also been updated following an overhaul by executive chef Paolo Cillio. It includes a new Italian tapas small plates menu as well as a variety of new dishes added to the main menu.

Mr Cillo said: “Il Forno is looking fantastic following the renovation. We are now reopen and are very much looking forward to welcoming people back into the restaurant to experience our food and great atmosphere once again”