Stars shone bright on Oscars night

Selfies, a pizza delivery guy, a white suit and some worthy winners.

That was the 2014 Academy Awards and what an eventful night it was. I was a busy boy for most of the incredibly long day, as always.

As I slumped into bed afterwards, there was only one thought in my mind just how wonderfully silly was THAT?

I’ve covered the Oscars a few times, but the glitz and glamour never cease to amaze.

I’m sure there were more limos parked on Hollywood Boulevard than there were people at the ceremony.

It all started before the big show even began, at mega-producer Harvey Weinstein’s pre-Oscars party in the Montage, Beverly Hills.

At the table next to me were Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, U2 and Steve Coogan’s mum. If anything bad happened, I would definitely be way down the bill!

My old pal Gary Barlow had invited me as he was giving a special performance at the dinner.

The Take That man, along with Eliot Kennedy, has written a musical based on the movie Finding Neverland, about the life of author JM Barrie.

“They now call me JJ Garrie,” Gary joked.

Although he was just a wee bit nervous, he was brilliant and the songs are just wonderful.

Plus I’m delighted to report that Oprah Winfrey loved it. That’s right, the Big O gave him a standing O.

Along with Gary, I was at the party with Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger, so it was a wee X Factor outing.

After the show it felt like we were in a boy band as the select few were whisked off to the private bar.

As I chatted with Gary, Nicole, Sharon and Rita Ora, I nearly offered to get a round in at the bar.

Of course, at these events, everything is free one Hollywood paradox is that the more famous and wealthy you are, the more likely it is someone else is picking up the bill.

So I needn’t have bothered suggesting we start a kitty, then. For one thing there weren’t any empty pint glasses around.

A hush descended on the party as purple pop pixie Prince arrived, as enigmatic as ever. I bet the wee man isn’t a round-dodger.

The next day was red carpet duty for me and, after donning the Ted Baker suit, it was off to work.

Ellen DeGeneres (in an all-white tux) got some mixed reviews until the ratings came out.

Last week’s Oscars had the highest viewing figures for a decade. Once critics found this out, the rave reviews started flooding in. Who says Hollywood is fickle?

Loads of stars stopped for a chat. Glenn Close was lovely and told me what it was like to win an award. She says time seems to stand still once the nominations are read out and everything goes into slow motion.

Sherlock and Star Trek star Benedict Cumberbatch stopped for a wee natter too.

He was at the ceremony in 2010 when he’d just done Sherlock and, as one of the few British media presenters, I asked for an interview.

Thankfully he remembered on Sunday night and was happy to talk away again. He’d just been on stage to help Steve McQueen collect the Best Movie award for 12 Years A Slave.

I asked if he’d be having a drink but he said the only thing he really wanted to do was to go for a dance.

Unbelievably, Liam Neeson is 61 now. He’s having a career renaissance as an unlikely action star thanks to the movie Taken and his new blockbuster, Non-Stop.

I asked Liam if he still fancied being James Bond. Producers actually spoke to him back in the early 90s, but the role went to his pal, Pierce Brosnan.

The way the sprightly Mr Neeson is these days I think he’s still in with a chance. Maybe he will appear in…Oldfinger?

And finally which Hollywood-based Scot predicted all the Oscar winners? Well, me!

I managed to pick the six major winners in this column last week. Hate to say I told you so.

Before I get too smug, Brianna reminds me I can’t pick four teams to win my football coupon on a Saturday afternoon!