The judging panel

Phil Tufnell should be in Karachi at this moment getting wickets for us at the start of the winter tour: "I have bowled bloody well and I deserved a go" he wrote in his Evening Standard column. Instead, he is judging the Evening Standard Pub of the Year contest.

Al Murray is arguably the most famous pub landlord in the land. The Pub Landlord, his ferocious, bigoted and hilarious alter-ego is now starring in a new sitcom, Time Gentlemen Please.

Andrew Jefford, our distinguished drinks correspondent, will be tasting just about everything in sight in each of the five finalist pubs, though beer may figure largely - he is, after all, Beer Writer of the Year. It's likely that he'll also check out the malt whiskies - he is also Glenfiddich Drink Writer of the Year.

Eva Rice, 25-year-old daughter of fellow panellist Sir Tim Rice, has always had ambitions to be under the media spotlight. She's a model, novelist and song writer.

Fran Cutler comes high on the list of any A-list celebrity gatherings. If Fran's not there, think again about bumping into the likes of Anna Friel, Liam Gallagher, Sadie Frost, Jude Law, All Saints, Kate Moss and Fran's long-time friend and business partner Meg Mathews.

Tania Bryer was the sunshine image of TV-AM's weather more than ten years ago. She was subsequently voted the Best Dressed Woman in Britain and launched her own fashion label on the back of it. She's now back in front of the camera again on Sky TV.

And then there's me, Edward Sullivan. A man of no particular significance alongside this splendid line-up of judges. Let's just say I'll be holding their hands for the evening.