With live music from Squeeze's Glenn Tillbrook and Chris Difford , Steve Naive and the Playboys, Ranking Roger and Lynval Golding , 2,000 people recently gathered in London for a birthday celebration. But the guest of honour was notably absent. For three years British journalist John McCarthy has been held hostage in Beirut. With this programme made by the 'Friends of John McCarthy ', people like ITN's Jon Snow , ex-hostage Anthony Grey and John's girlfriend Jill Morrell criticise what they feel is the lack of serious international effort to secure the release of British hostages in Beirut.