Knives at the ready – the Shaftas is back. Oh yes. After an 18-month hiatus due to the recession, Monkey is delighted to hear that the carnival of hate that celebrates the finest works of showbiz hackery will return this autumn. Once again Johnny Vaughan has agreed to host the event, which will be held at a yet-to-be announced central London location.
The awards this year include Best Apology, which in 2008 had the Daily Mirror apologising after Bryan Ferry's alleged "Nazi's were amazing" outburst, and the News of the World's grovelling retraction of the Kate Moss birthday orgy that never happened.
Also up for grabs is the Michael Fish Award for Worst Prediction – won last time by the News of the World for "Cheryl: I'll Stand By My Man"; and Scoop of the Year – which is for the most inane and pointless story dressed up as news. 3am led the pack last time with "Scary Spice twists ankle".
Other categories include the Sold A Pup Award, Worst TV Reporter and Celeb Mag of the Year – won previously by Heat for a hastily withdrawn free sticker poking fun at Katie Price's disabled son Harvey, saying "Harvey Wants To Eat Me".
New this year is also an award for Worst Cheryl Cole Reporting. The big one though is still the Princess Margaret award – so called because in 1986 two reporters on the Daily Star wrote that Princess Margaret was set to appear in Crossroads.
As history shows, both met their demise without it ever becoming true. Nominated last time was the Sun with "Ziggy Tardis: David Bowie to play alien in Doctor Who".
So get backstabbing and send in your nominations – before your colleagues beat you to the punch – via twitter @theshaftas.
