I never want a surprise party. I like parties – I like giving them, I like going to them. But a surprise party? For me? No, thank you.

Last weekend I attended a surprise 49th birthday party thrown for my Most Telegenic Girlfriend. She is a former TV newsreader and reporter, and her loving boyfriend decided that a surprise party was a great idea. He co-opted one of her best friends – my Most Glamorous Girlfriend – to arrange it all.