I LOVE a good party and I went to a fantastic summer ball at the home of Lord Waheed Alli and his partner Charlie Parsons. Their home in Kent is huge, they made their money in television as the founders of Planet 24.

They had a hot air balloon in the garden, and people waited for their turn to go up in it, they had dodgems and a big wheel, a fantastic barbecue and an 80s tribute band. The booze was flowing, too.

One of their latest ventures - as well as a West End show they're planning - is producing Paul O'Grady's television show and he was there, just out of hospital after his second heart attack

Paul never changes, he's like an old friend. He was wearing the cheapest ever flip flops, white rubber things from Brazil that cost about £2. I know because I have some and they're great - really comfortable.

He told me he'd bought lots of pairs and filled his suitcase with them. I don't know why, because they don't wear out, he must just like a bargain.

Paul blames smoking 60 cigarettes a day for his health problems but I didn't see him light up at the party, let's hope he's given up for good.

He lost his manager and ex-partner Brendan Murphy a year ago, he passed away as a result of a brain cancer, so I set up a tribute for him on my site, www.gonetoosoon.co.uk, and Paul was happy for me to.

Julian Clary was at the party and I said hello to him, but I find him very difficult to talk to, he's very reserved and he seems to either drift or analyse you are you're talking.

John Reid, Elton John's former manager, was more fun to chat to. He puts on shows at London theatres and he's always doing something interesting.

And Peter Mandelson couldn't take his eyes off my friend Stewart who came along to the party, he's a student and he's only 20. I got the impression Peter was hovering, wanting to start a conversation. He said hello three times but we never really got chatting.

About 800 people were there all together, I stayed until midnight. Waheed Alli is the first openly gay peer and he's been brilliant, he's done so much for gay rights, we need more people like him in Parliament.

My other news this week is that Ideal Home magazine have been round to do a feature about our house. A photographer and two stylists spent the day doing a shoot for their Christmas issue.

They brought their own tree and dressed the dining table for a festive dinner. It all felt a bit odd, in the middle of August, but I quite enjoyed the experience ... it seemed a shame not to make the most of it, so Michael and I, and our friends, sat down to a Christmas dinner with crackers, Champagne and mince pies.

By coincidence, on TV the same morning, there'd been a debate on Christmas coming earlier. Apparently shops are already gearing up for December 25. Even my local pub keeps a tally on how many days it is to Christmas.

Someone said they felt Christmas should be banned until December 1 and I could go along with that ... I hate Christmas shopping, I find it stressful, I never know what to get for people.

Some people like dressing the tree but I can't stand all that, even though I love trees, especially the ones in department stores. I wonder if there are any companies that'll supply a tree, bring it round and trim it up for you? If there aren't, there should be.

Perhaps that should be my next business venture?