How Tesco must wish everything would go as smoothly as the Strictly Come Dancing event it put on in support of Grocery Aid this week. But behind all the glamour - not to mention an estimated £150,000 raised for a great cause - the talk in the corridors was all about the big event next week, which promises to be an altogether more testing performance.

“It was amazing to speak to Tesco execs who admit they have no idea what’s gone on”

It was amazing to speak to Tesco executives who openly admit they have no idea what has gone on , which of their colleagues could be caught up in it next or and what will happen to those already suspended under Tesco’s investigation into its £250m black hole.

But the night was also a reminder of the great spirit within the UK grocery industry, which for years has relied on the human element in negotiations. Many bore the scars - and sometimes amusing anecdotes - of clashes with Tesco buyers, past and present, yet there still seemed a generous amount of goodwill on both sides, despite everything that had happened.

Sadly for Tesco though, this may count for little as next week it will be all about answers. The full extent of what has gone on will have to come out at the rescheduled interims on Thursday.

If not we can expect Tesco’s share price, rather than its suppliers, to hit the floor. 

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