Oscars Party is Off, Vanity Fair Tells Stars

For years it has been the self-styled "most exclusive party in the world", but yesterday Vanity Fair's Oscar party was scrapped in sympathy with striking writers.

In a statement on its website, the magazine said: "After much consideration, and in support of the writers and everyone else affected by this strike, we have decided that this is not the appropriate year to hold our annual Oscar party."

The former Vanity Fair writer Toby Young once said a party ticket was more coveted than an invitation to the ceremony itself.

The news comes despite hopes that the three-month strike will be over by next week, ensuring the Oscars can go ahead with all their razzmatazz on February 24 and without pickets shouting across the red carpet. Whatever the outcome, Oscar winners will have to make alternative after-show plans. "We want to congratulate all of this year's nominees and we look forward to hosting our 15th Oscar party next year," the statement continued.

Most Oscar nominees have said they will not be at the ceremony if the strike is still on, but organizers insist there will be a ceremony come what may.

The dispute between the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood studios centers on the division of digital revenues from TV and film. WGA members are to discuss a resolution on Saturday.