One guitarist to another

Noel on Tony's Bash: a "Top" Night, but no Beers

The rock star, his wife Meg, Creation record boss Alan McGee and his partner were welcomed into the No 10 along with a glittering array of stars from all areas of British life.

The informal social event was the first of several to be arranged by the new government, and the Prime Minister said earlier today that he wanted to acknowledge the importance of the billion pound entertainment industry to the British economy.

Talking about marriage

But Noel Gallagher revealed he almost didn't turn up. "I wasn't going to go at first, because I thought we would get slagged off for going. But I rang my mum on Sunday and my mum said it was a great honour for her to say one of her sons was going to see the Prime Minister and she told me to go."

When he arrived, he was immediately put at ease by Tony Blair, who chatted comfortably with him as he was handed his first glass of champagne. Meanwhile Meg spoke with Cherie Blair.

The couple were then treated to a special privilege - a tour of No 10, along with Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe.

The rock star explained on his way out what he and the Prime Minister chatted about inside. Noel said: "I congratulated him on his success and he congratulated me on mine. We were chatting about married life."

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Noel was the biggest name to turn up to the Blairs' do, but there were plenty of other famous names thronging the halls of Number 10.

Sir Ian McKellan, Sir David Puttnam, Maureen Lipman, Lenny Henry, Ross Kemp, Jennifer Ehle and Nick Park, the Wallace and Grommit animator, were among other showbusiness guests.

Eddie Izzard passes on some comedy tips to Kevin Spacey

Comic Eddie Izzard wore high heeled boots and nail varnish as he arrived.

The biggest statement was made by fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

She arrived 40 minutes late, after all the other guests, and walked over to reporters to announce: "Tony Blair does not meet my fashion standards. His suits aren't good enough cut. I prefer John Major's."

On Tuesday night, Chancellor Gordon Brown hosted a similar informal gathering for showbusiness personalities - in recognition of the Government's efforts to make financial life easier for the British film industry.

Champagne Supernova

Some of the Labour luvvies showed their eagerness by turning out on both nights, among them actress Sinead Cussack, film producer Sir David Puttnam and director Anthony Minghella.

American star Kevin Spacey, currently in Britain publicising Albino Alligator, was a surprise arrival with Ms Cussack.

Tony Robinson, who played Baldrick in the BBC series Blackadder, was one of the last guests to leave the party. He said: "It was great. We chatted about the Uxbridge election tomorrow."

Mr Robinson has campaigned for the Labour Party for many years. He said: "It is the first time I have been to Downing Street. Up until now I had only ever been to the gates at the bottom. Tony was very much at ease and chatted to everyone."