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Adam Ant showed off a new look on Monday evening as he sported a new image and - at last - clean trews for the launch party of the Drawn Petition exhibition in Piccadilly, central London.

Looking not too dissimilar from Johnny Depp's Willy Wonka in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory in his black ensemble of tailored suit, top hat and black bob-style wig, Adam appeared alongside his new celebrity chum Noel Fielding for the opening of Natasha Gomperts' (pictured right, with Adam) Drawn Petition exhibition, raising awareness and funds for sex workers.

Featured in the exhibition is a photo of a drawing of Natasha by Adam, which will be up for auction this Saturday 3 April. Bids can be made through the week in person at The Gallery, Shepherd Market W1 or at the auction on Saturday.

For more information on the exhibition and petition, visit the campaign website.

Photo: Charlie Pycraft

Adam & the Ants in subject of rather good retrospective magazine article shocker! Yes, Adam and his intrepid 1980-era Ants feature in the May 2010 edition of the rather excellent Uncut magazine for The Making of Kings of the Wild Frontier - out today!

Featuring input from Adam Ant, Marco Pirroni, Chris Merrick Hughes, Terry Lee Miall, Kevin Mooney and former manager and key influencer Malcolm McLaren, the three page feature (including A4 pin-up of the particularly splendid Adam pic, right) details the circumstances leading up to the making and the release of the firm favourite Ants anthem Kings of the Wild Frontier, which although initally released in 1980, hit #2 in the UK singles chart in 1981, in the dawn of Antmania.

Uncut magazine, May 2010 is available now from all half-decent newsagents across the UK.

In 2004, we bumped into former Adam & the Ants drummer Dave Barbe (aka David Barbarossa), and after an incident involving some thumb screws and a vertical beam, Dave invited Madam Stan over to his home in North London for dinner with his family and a catch-up for Warriors III. Here, for the first time, is the original transcript of the full interview...

Let's start with some nice easy questions: Tell us where you were born and generally about your early life and background…
They’re far harder than anything to do with the Ants! I was born in London. From a large family, in Hackney, son of immigrant parents, and just a regular English peasant.

When did you get into drumming?
Cor blimey! Winston Churchill and me, we had a band together erm, a long time ago. I think I started playing when I was about 16.

And who was your inspiration?
I bloke called Laurence Geller who was at a school I went to in Enfield, and he had a drum kit, and it was a fascinating bit of kit, and I had a go.

Adam Ant was caught out and about with Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding last night as they hit the Groucho Club, Soho, our mates at Holy Moly! report today.

Described as looking "reasonably well" (despite his uncharacteristic mucky fingers), Adam was spotted with alternative comedian Noel Fielding and Serge from Kasabian. Holy Moly also fuel speculation of Adam's forthcoming album with Ant cohort Marco Pirroni, Erasure's Ride's Andy Bell and Chris McCormack of 3 Colours Red.

Adam was also spotted with Brand Managers at L'Oreal UK HQ, Hammersmith yesterday - fuelling rumours of an Ant flavoured advertising tie-in.

And yup. He's still wearing those same trousers...

Read the full story with more pictures of Adam last night here.

Adam Ant grabbed the mic for a short live appearance at the Monarch's regular Sunday hard rock evening on Camden High Street tonight as part of his current assault on London's live circuit.

Playing alongside members of Zodiac Mindwarp's Love Reaction band, Adam performed Prime Mover for a second time this week. Wearing a slightly more accurate application of lipstick than that of the previous night at the Southwark Playhouse, Adam was also called to the stage by headliners Metalworks for a version of Born to Be Wild before making his leave.

Where Adam will pop up next is anyone's guess, but we're hoping he'll get a chance to wash the trousers he's been wearing the past three days!

Photo: Dyler Plummer