Your ideal gathering/dinner party...who would you invite, family excepted?

Just Rufus Sewell!

Just me, Jason Momoa and George Clooney

That could be a riot of an evening Rowantree, not sure I could stand an evening with Chris Packham though! We had this conversation once around the huge dinner table at a friend's birthday, it was very interesting who people invited. We all had to choose one person alive or dead. I would invited Nigel Farage and then poison him.
Seriously though,my guests would be Billy Connolly, Monty Don, John Boyne ( assuming he is as fantastic as his books), David Niven, Alan Rickman .......

You can only get 4 people round my little dining table.

My younger son would be first. He's not only a great conversationalist, gets on with absolutely everyone whatever their status but is also a fantastic cook, so I could leave the catering and discussions to him and just sit back to listen joyfully.

1st party:
Jacinda Ardern
Lucy Kellaway

Others I might include at different parties:
Geoffrey E Hinton: I'd invite him by himself as I wouldn't want any distracting small talk whilst he was here)

David Attenborough
Dr Sir Pita Sharples
Peter Kay
Michael Parkinson
Willie Apiata VC
Michael Palin
Kate Adie

And if we were to speculate on the dinner party shared with 'those who have gone before', Alan Turing would top my list.

A dermatologist
A Nutritionist - note to self, only healthy food.
A financial advisor
An IT nerd who specialises in I pads.

Boring for them but so educational for me.
I’m writing down my questions already!
? sure I’ve forgotten something I need advice on.

Rufus Sewell will need to go on a diet as I bet he will be invited to a lot of GN dinner parties
Kittylester definitely to mine. Also Angus Deayton, Victoria Stillwell ( for my husband)
David Attenborough, HM Queen Elizabeth.

kittylester get yer 'ands off 'im, he's mine !!!

Ian Hislop
Paul Merton
Bill Bryson
Alan Bennet

Michele Obama
Nigel Farage
Dr David Starkey
Priti Patel MP
Shappi Khorsandi
Nick Ferrari
Eleanor Bron
Francis Wheen

Can I invited Alan Bennet and Ian Hislop to mine as well please? And for 'afters' the late great Alan Rickman.....what a voice.....

Er, I mentioned Rufus Sewell first!

Michael Sheen
Rhod Gilbert
Max Boyce
Rob Brydon

Ruth Jones
Sian Phillips
Cerys Matthews
Alex Jones

Stephen Fry.
David Ornstein--sports commentator with the loveliest smile.
Joanna Lumley.
Jane McDonald
Julie Walters.
Peter Kay.

God, Jesus and Satan and maybe an angel or two. Unfortunately, I don't believe any of those would turn up so I'd invite any aliens who may like to attend.

David Attenborough
Raynor Finn
Judi Dench
Mary Berry (although I would have to get a cook in as I wouldn't dare).

Winn (not Finn)

Alan Bennett
Alan Rickman
Alan Turing
Denzel Washington
Mary Beard

could be awkward with so many Alans though

Steve Rowe
Roman Abramovich
Donald Trump
Sarah Ferguson
Nigella Lawson
Clare Balding
Steve Backshall
Michelle Obama
Michael Richards
Jerry Seinfeld
Rebecca Arlington
Leon Taylor

Arlington Adlington

Michael Palin
Jennifer Aniston (my girl crush )
David Essex (because he's so gorgeous)
Jane MacDonald
All the Loose Women - except Janet Street Porter
I'll need an enormous table and a chef because I won't be cooking!!

Stephen Fry
Kathy Burke
Hugh Laurie
Judy Dench
Helena Bonham Carter
David Tennant
Germaine Greer

If they were still with us:
Freddy Mercury
George Harrison
Victoria Wood
Elizabeth I
Alan Rickman
Steve McQueen
my Dad

Paul Merton
Andy Hamilton
Chris Packham
Miriam Margoyles
Stanley Johnson
Val McDermid

Gabriella Steve Backshall has kissed me on both cheeks ?

Oh and Prof Brian Cox

Billy Connolly
The queen
David Attenborough
Graham Norton
Sir Ranulph Fiennes