I think it was Oscar Wilde who said: “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.” I wonder what Willie Walsh, the British Airways chief executive, makes of the writer's witticism after coming top in a survey of the most-mentioned FTSE 100 bosses on the internet.

Mr Walsh tops the table thanks to the Terminal 5 fiasco and soaring fuel costs, just ahead of Sir Terry Leahy, the Tesco chief executive. The internet buzzed with talk about Sir Terry and the US union dispute, rising food costs and plastic bags.

Suffice to say that none of the top five in the survey, compiled by Propeller BossBuzz, the marketing agency, is deemed to be of interest for positive reasons. Which all goes to prove the wisdom of Gloria Borger, the political pundit, who said that “good news is not news”.

On his metal

Marius Kloppers, the boss of BHP Billiton, was on the Today Programme yesterday to discuss the mining group's results. Or so he thought. The first question was about how much gold goes into an Olympic medal, for which BHP supplies the gold. “Gosh, that's a little difficult to answer,” he stuttered.

Systematic approach to a quiet night in Luton

Our news story yesterday about the launch of a boot camp for snorers and their sleep-deprived partners has caught the imagination of Hilton Hotels. The company was taken by the story of an unnamed woman whose grandchildren are too embarrassed to go on holiday with her because of the noise at night. Hilton wants to identify the woman and offer her a free stay at a Hilton Garden Inn, so that she can try out the new Garden Sleep System.

The system, on trial at its hotel in Luton, employs a patented airflow technology that claims to provide “pressure-free” sleep and eliminate tossing and turning. And if it doesn't work? “We'll include some free ear plugs.”

Rarest Caviar

Caviar House & Prunier, on Piccadilly, has taken delivery of the Almas, a rare golden caviar once reserved for the Tsars of Russia. Despite the price - £920 for limited edition 50g tins - the shop claims a four-year waiting list. So if someone walked in off the street they wouldn't be able to buy any? “Er, there might be a couple of tins available,” stumbles a spokesman.

Day of rest

Sunday was a tricky day all round for Woolworths after news of Malcolm Walker's audacious bid for its ailing high street stores. But spare a particular thought for the wife of Stephen East, the Woolies finance director. Sunday also happened to be the Easts' wedding anniversary. I understand that the mobile was turned off for lunch, at least.

Times Recommends

• C&G axed - 1,660 jobs to be lost
• UK house prices rise 1.1% as buyers return
• Mixed reaction to US banks repaying bailouts