With music blasting in the background and a promo reel for 'Due South' playing on the big screens, the fans were primed to welcome their favourite Mountie. Clad in a black leather jacket and blue jeans, Paul Gross made his way on stage to riotous cheers and applause and humourously accepted his own Planet Hollywood microphone.

Amid flashbulbs and overwhelming press, Paul Gross briefly outlined the events that led to the premise for the season opener - "When the show was cancelled last year, we started throwing out the sets, we actually threw out my apartment, so, I decided we would do the first episode with an arsonist who burned my apartment down, so I'm homeless now and I have a new partner who is Callum Keith Rennie . . . he's certifiable, but I think you'll have a lot of fun with him, I know we do."

Mr. Gross then unveiled the latest addition to Planet Hollywood Toronto's memorabilia collection - a red serge dress Mountie uniform which he wore during the making of 'Due South'. After a bit of kibitzing with the uniformed mannequin for the fans and photographers, it was time for Planet Hollywood to return the favour. Public relations manager, Michael Coldwell, presented Paul Gross with a black Planet Hollywood leather and cloth jacket, which Paul modelled for the crowd. The formalities overwith, Paul proceeded to sign autographs for the next hour or so, denying no one the chance to take a picture with him and even receiving a kiss or two on the cheek.

Among the many fans who had come specifically to see the ceremony, were tourists out to see the sights and what sights they saw. Many visitors were heard to say how thrilled they were to see the star of 'Due South', what stories they have to take back to the U.S., England, Scotland, Germany and the Netherlands. One woman was quoted as saying, "He's really quite handsome, isn't he?" to which her companion said with an accompanying grin, "Really? I hadn't noticed."

Among those observing the ceremony were Ramona Milano (Francesca), Anne Marie Loder, who will play Stella Kowalski, and Tom Melissis, who will play Det. Huey's new partner, Det. Dewey.

   

Photos courtesy of a Toronto news team, and the Jam! Showbiz website.

Click the images for a larger version of the photo.