Ruby bluesday at Pup Idol show

EVEN the pet pooches of Hampstead's superstars couldn't bark their way to a winning spot in this year s fiercely fought Pup Idol. Saturday's competition at the Garden Gate pub, South End Green, included celebrity entrants Ruby – Nicole Appleton and Liam

EVEN the pet pooches of Hampstead's superstars couldn't bark their way to a winning spot in this year's fiercely fought Pup Idol.

Saturday's competition at the Garden Gate pub, South End Green, included celebrity entrants Ruby - Nicole Appleton and Liam Gallagher's daschund - and former Holby City star Jeremy Edwards' Boston terrier, Molly.

Ruby was accompanied by All Saints stars Melanie Blatt and Natalie Appleton, who relayed the results live to a disconsolate Mr Gallagher and her famous sister by mobile phone. The Appleton sisters' mother, Mary, entered her own Chihuahua Mikey.

But Mikey, Molly and Ruby all failed to secure a prize as Hampstead's other pooches carried off the gongs in categories including best looking male dog, best rescue dog and top golden oldie.

Judge Angela Humphery said: "It was all terrific and I was pleasantly surprised by the entries. I hope the event highlighted the plight of dogs that are being rescued and re-homed."

She added that the standard of entries was so high that any celebrity pooches which didn't make the grade shouldn't feel snubbed.