Thanks to all who posted an inspired selection of ideal dinner party guests. Now is time to whittle the lists down to a commonly-agreed final six. Of the 190+ guests suggested (130 m, 66 f), the following 16 were nominated twice, so I’ve decided they go through to the next round:

Adam Buxton, Becky Unthank, Billy Bragg, Boudicca, Brian Eno, Carrie Fisher, Christopher Hitchens, David Bowie, Groucho Marx, Jane Austen, Lemmy, Martin Amis, Noel Gallagher, Sam Neill, Shakespeare, Tina Fay, Virginia Woolf

If you’d care to indulge this extended flight of whimsy, I’d suggest you select contrasting pairs from the above – one you’d promote, one you’d deselect, up to a maximum of six pairs. In this way, we would winnow it down to the cream of the cream of AW favourites (or the lowest common denominators, of course).

Three guests were nominated three times – Dorothy Parker, Kathy Burke & Victoria Coren-Mitchell. So they get automatic seats at the table – and make for inspired hosts, I’d say.

Mini and Lodestone were mentioned twice, so they get to be our representatives at the feast. Maybe they’ll post their views on the final selection?

Tally ho!