Party Of The Week: Frolics in V-Festival's secret garden

Despite Oasis pulling out of their V Festival performance in Chelmsford, Essex at the weekend because Liam Gallagher had viral laryngitis – the mood was still buoyant backstage in the VIP area.

Guests including the actress Billie Piper and her actor husband Laurence Fox, actress Emilia Fox, operatic pop diva Charlotte Church, socialite Peaches Geldof and the Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint, relaxed on over-sized cushions on the grass.

The Virgin Media Louder Lounge had been designed to look like an enchanted garden, with flowers everywhere and a DJ booth in the style of a kitsch bandstand. Even Sir Peter Blake had parked his art bus backstage, which features a gallery of his work on the upper deck.

The Proclaimers did an impromptu gig on the stage and were introduced by the former Doctor Who star David Tennant, who said they were the best band in the world. Top celebrity hairdressers were on hand to ensure that guests didn't have to suffer tent hair and slankets (blankets with sleeves) were issued to those who were camping.

There was even a karaoke booth where celebrities could record their own music video; Paul Young did a dance routine to the Backstreet Boys' "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)".

Other guests milling about included the fashion designer Matthew Williamson, Bond girl Gemma Arterton, the presenter and singer Myleene Klass, Transporter star Jason Statham, singer Pixie Lott, and the TV presenter Holly Willoughby.