Word reaches me from last night’s News International Christmas party where James Murdoch frolicked with Page Three Girls as a disused building at the old Wapping print plant was transformed into a booze-fuelled winter wonderland. Trebles all round indeed.
Here’s a report from my fly-on-the-wall:
“News International’s ‘Wapping’ Christmas bash out-did itself last night with even more celebrity appearances and extravagance than last year. Hundreds of hacks packed out the giant lit-up dance floor until the wee hours and gorged their way through the free food and decadent cocktails.
“Boy band, Westlife and previous X Factor winner, Shane Ward were the surprise performances of the evening. They were introduced by Britain’s favourite voice-over artist, Peter Dickson, the voice of E4 and X Factor.
“A throng of page three girls, who had employees posing and taking photographs with them all evening. Other ‘celeb’ appearances included Rupert Murdoch’s son, James (the boss) and X Factor contestant, Katie Waissel.
“Like last year, the event was held in the disused van way at Wapping, where the company’s papers used to be loaded onto trucks for distribution from the now defunct print works. And again each newspaper had its own themed area.
“The Sun had a North African theme, the highlight of which was a Moroccan mini-kitchen where a curry was made in front of you and served – aptly – inside a rolled up sheet of newspaper. The News of the World was the busiest area – the boozer if you like – with cocktails on tap as well as an endless supply of burgers and chips.
“The Sunday Times and The Times areas were both a little more demure, with a grand piano, seafood bar and velvet coaches. And not to forget the dancing Santa’s elf, stilt-artists and larger-than-life ‘ugly sisters’ who were hired to dish out stick-on beauty spots to guests and taunt them for their outfits.
“There were certainly no expenses spared for Murdoch’s minions this year, the event must have cost hundreds of thousands. Elaborately costumed waiters and waitresses were on hand with a replacement drink before you realised you had finished your last….some sore heads all around this morning!”
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