Don’t expect fair play with these rogues on the board

Just as Monopoly has inspired thousands of youngsters to become property magnates or jailbirds, and Cluedo has whetted the appetite of countless would-be detectives and candlestick makers, the newly launched Media Mogul could be responsible for producing the next Conrad Black.

The Media Mogul board game was launched recently at Hamley’s, where it is exclusively available, costing &£29.99. It has been described as a “media poker” and its publisher, Susannah Lees, says/ “In these times of solitary electronic games, board games retain their advantage of being a social event.”

If playing the game is as unscrupulous as the real-life media and marketing worlds, it should be a great way to sharpen your skills during the quiet Christmas period – and it provides an ideal opportunity to shaft annoying relatives who outstay their welcome.