Birthday cake, anyone?

And there certainly looked as if 800 people, the world and their aunts, had managed to get past the door people last Friday night at the second big hotel party in Liverpool so far this year. Unlike the Malmaison do a couple of weeks back, there were no paps outside, just several people who had forgotten to RSVP to their invites and were told “the guest list is closed”.

So what did we have after we managed to cajole our way past that one? Up and coming band The Maybes performing in the main foyer; James Barton spinning the turntables somewhere; the cast of the musical Chicago getting all fluffy opposite the reception desk; rumours of Jennifer Ellison showing up proving to be a dud; hairdresser Herbert Howe exhibiting a set of such dazzling white teeth that Liverpool Confidential operatives wished they had brought shades and King John and his crowd of maidens making merry in the Filini restaurant where a splendid time was had by all.

And in between it all, crowds of the city's business leaders, cultural types, political people, hacks and usual suspects availing themselves of the hospitality and fun in the stunning setting of the Beetham tower.

We failed to find Jimmy Corkhill this time, nevertheless we snapped plenty of other partygoers. See if you can spot yourself or anyone you recognise in this lot here.