Get paid to party? I'd rather do it my way

The party, hosted by Superdry, was in California and included a visit to the star-studded Coachella festival.

Then someone had the bright idea of taking the crowd to Blackpool for a weekend (everybody chipping in with the cost, of course) and from there, it was a step up to Spain or, for city lovers, Rome.

Sometimes the whole lot of them went what, in polite circles, you'd call a bit wild.

We hear stories of behaviour of which they never thought they were capable. Which might be nothing compared to what their other halves got up to on riotous stag nights when they were so pickled, they didn't remember a thing. Had a wonderful time, though.

Bet they wished their do had been sponsored by Alka Zeltzer.

Just look at how many party or celebrations we organise during the course of a year – we could all probably do with a few sponsorships.

Takes me back more than 20 years ago, when I had a strange question from one guest at a party I held.

I was about to move house but still had my usual big birthday party with the removal people coming next day. Rather than attempting a swish do we sat around on packing cases, drinking wine and eating.

The cooker was disconnected and I'd had the bright idea of ordering fish'n'chips all round.

Which is how Fred Your Friendly Fryer came into our lives.

He arrived on time, delivered delicious grub and was next seen in the kitchen with a glass of bubbly, chatting to guests who loved the idea of a chippie delivery.

And then a curious character asked me whether I'd had to pay for the food or not.

All these years later the Fred and his fish evening is still talked about as the best party of them all.

But guess what, I paid.