The Feral Beast: 'Mirror' Cinders stay at home

Hacks at the 'Mirror' are lamenting that they can't go to the ball this year. The paper had booked two tables at the annual London Press Club Ball, where Jeremy Vine will preside as MC, but organisers were told the 'Mirror' would not now be coming, saving itself £1,450 plus VAT per table. "It's a disaster," says one organiser, "It's only a fortnight away and we've got to get bums on seats."

Mary's too contrary for readers

'Telegraph' editor Will Lewis frets about not having enough female columnists, after losing three in quick succession. And the few he does have don't impress the readers. New recruit Mary Riddell has prompted a tirade of indignant comments after penning a defence of Gordon Brown. "Why do 'Telegraph' readers have to put up with this repeated drivel?" fumes one. Perhaps the day of Dave's speech wasn't the right moment to be championing Gordon?

Back after the break?

So farewell then, ITV, at least for now. The UK's largest commercial broadcaster has lost its place among the top 100 British companies and been relegated to the FTSE 250 index. Only two years ago a consortium of investors including Goldman Sachs and Apex, led by Greg Dyke, had their offer of a takeover rejected by then chief executive Charles Allen. They were offering £4 a share. Shares in ITV were 42p at close of trading on Friday.

Will Ken make it?

Bated breath across the capital as it awaits Tuesday's publication by the 'Evening Standard' of the second annual list of the 1,000 most influential people in London. There can be little doubt who will come top — Boris Johnson, whose election as Mayor was obviously not hindered by the 'Standard'. But will the old nemesis, Ken Livingstone, pictured, still feature on the list? And what of Sir Ian Blair? Let's hope his resignation didn't come too late for the old bobby to be dropped from the list.

Athens ex-pats need Taki

After 57 years, 'Athens News', an English language paper for expats, is facing a fate worse than the Elgin marbles. Its proprietor, the Lambrakis Press, is set to pull the plug. The paper is a lynchpin of the British expat community and desperate attempts are being made to save it. Surely there's a poor little Greek boy with deep pockets out there – step forward Taki?

Enter angry drama queens

Playwrights seeking inspiration for seething rivalries need look no further than the drama section of the Critics' Circle, where Charles Spencer of the 'Telegraph' soon steps down as chairman. Mark Shenton of the 'Sunday Express' is tipped as his successor, to the horror of some critics. Tim Walker of 'The Telegraph' has lambasted Shenton for accepting freebies from theatre PRs to cover out-of-town shows, and now Nicholas de Jongh of the 'Evening Standard's hisses he will resign from the Critics' Circle if Shenton takes control. Ladies – please!