Parties: Mayhem in Mayfair

Once it was enough for a nightingale to sing in Berkeley Square. These days the efforts of a lone songbird are considered insufficient entertainment for a lavish charity ball of 850 guests, tickets £700 per head. So for this year's Berkeley Square Ball, held in marquees in the Mayfair garden, party dynamo Vince Power had laid on Taittinger champagne, a Michelin-star supper and a vaudeville-themed cabaret.

Guests included Rebecca Loos, Sugababe Heidi Range and Royal-by-proxy Pippa Middleton, who braved the September chill in a daring backless gown. The menu featured potted Morecambe Bay shrimps, roast rump of lamb and Eton Mess, all knocked up by Marco Pierre White.

Tess Daly, who arrived with husband Vernon Kay, and model Emma Noble had both gone for gold ballgowns, while R&B singer Sonique had boldly gone for a red tartan jumpsuit.

Jerry Hall arrived at 11pm, dazzling in a puff of vermillion silk and fur. The surprise appearance of Amy Winehouse drew a throng of camera-phone-waving guests, although it was her 12-year-old god-daughter, Dionne Bromfield, who attended to the singing. Winehouse, by now emotional, flung herself at Dionne several times before fleeing backstage and allegedly getting into a fight with a fan. More drama ensued later when one female guest was arrested and bundled off in a police van, laddering her tights. Perhaps just a nightingale next year?