Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset has enjoyed a well-earned break from her duties in the Northern Arabian Gulf by paying a visit to Doha in Qatar.

One of the highlights of the visit was a Combined Services Entertainment (CSE) show, staged exclusively for the ship’s company at the Marriott Hotel.

The show included stand-up performances from comedians Colin Cole, from Australia, and Ed Byrne, from Ireland.

The CSE dancers, Julie Chitty, Megan Jones and Claire Leal, provided popular dance routines while music was supplied by Top Cat, who belted out classic rock and pop anthems by bands including Oasis, The Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Guns ‘n’ Roses.

Their version of Kylie’s Can’t Get You Out of My Head, accompanied by the dancers, was particularly well-received.

The show was something of a triumph over adversity, as the organisers had hit snags when equipment was delayed by Qatari customs officials.

Some frantic behind-the-scenes work by Production Co-ordinator Georgina Smith and the sound engineers ensured that the show could go on.

Prior to the show, the CSE performers had visited the frigate for a guided tour and to meet the ship’s company – giving them the opportunity to gather material on sailors and officers which could be used later that evening in the show.

The CSE show, organised by SSVC, traces its heritage back to 1946, when it took over from the Forces entertainment company which ran throughout the war years.

CSE can boast some illustrious names on cast lists through the decades, including Frankie Howerd, Jim Davidson, Geri Halliwell and Nell McAndrew, while venues have ranged from the Falklands, Sierra Leone, Bosnia and Iraq to the more exotic climes of Singapore and Hong Kong.

To be entitled to a show, a ship or submarine has to be deployed for more than four months, at which stage Lt Cdr Roger Saynor and WOPT James Stewart from the Fleet Physical and Adventurous Training (PAT) team set the wheels in motion, via Georgina at SSVC, for the show to go ahead at a convenient point of the deployment.

The PAT team also look after the Operational Welfare package, providing feedback from deployed units to Fleet.

Somerset sailed from Doha on October 11 to resume patrol duties in the Northern Arabian Gulf.

She is now in the final stages of the deployment, and is due to hand over her responsibilities to sister frigate HMS Marlborough in November before returning to her home port of Devonport in time for Christmas.