Vienna  - Actress Nicollette Sheridan, one of the stars in the US TV series Desperate Housewives, will add sparkle to this year's Vienna Opera Ball as guest of Richard Lugner, the Austrian socialite announced Wednesday.

In order to promote his Vienna shopping centre, Lugner traditionally pays a celebrity to accompany him to Austria's most glamorous society event, which will take place on February 19 this year.

British-born Sheridan, 45, is not only set to get a taste of Vienna's ball culture, but also of Lugner's rough manners, which he put on display already when announcing his guest.

"She's the hussy," he told reporters, by way of characterizing Sheridan's role in Desperate Houswives.

Last year, US strip star Dita von Teese, the ex wife of shock- rocker Marilyn Manson, accompanied Lugner to the prestigious ball, where renting a box costs up to 17,000 euros (22,444 dollars).

In the past, US hotel heiress Paris Hilton, actress Sophia Loren or Baywatch star Pamela Anderson were among Lugner's guests.

The celebrities' initial enthusiasm for a night of fun and waltzes usually quickly fades as they are hounded by photographers at the Opera Ball.

The guests of Richard Lugner, 76, add glamour to the event, which is visited by a large number of less globally known opera singers and European top executives.

Around 4,600 guests are expected to visit the ball this year, but some business executives have indicated they would not attend because of the current economic climate.

"If no one attended the ball and spent money, it would make the economy crash even more," Lugner told Austrian press agency APA earlier in January, explaining why he would come. (dpa)