This year, the anti-bullying sector has inadvertently shone a spotlight on the issue of celebrity patrons.

Both Beatbullying and the National Bullying Helpline have been stung by their celebrity supporters. First, pop band N-Dubz embarrassed Beatbullying by issuing violent threats.  Then, the credibility of NBH chief Christine Pratt’s allegations about bullying at Number 10 was called into question when it was revealed that her charity’s patrons and supporters included prominent Tories David Cameron and Ann Widdecombe, among others.

Even outside the sector the stock of celebrity is waning.

With the Noughties introducing cheap and easy fame through reality TV, kiss and tells, and the internet; celebrities’ stock rose and everyone wanted a piece.

But after a decade of WAGs, YouTube ‘stars’ and perfumes showcasing the scent of the celeb of your choice, the tide is turning.

Sponsors are running a mile from shamed pro-golfer Tiger Woods, Jordan can’t sell her Las Vegas wedding photos and this year’s election race is so far free of MPs looking cool with their rock-star friends.

A quick look at the Twitter page of NBH chief executive Christine Pratt, containing last year’s pleas (with an exclamation mark!) to Lily Allen, Peter Andre, Kevin Spacey and Stephen Fry to support her charity by becoming a patron, suggests that for some charities the process of recruiting patrons isn’t as robust as it might be.

Of course a good celebrity patron who engages with a cause has always been a valuable asset to a charity or campaign, but the mere label “celebrity” does not confer credibility on an organisation.

Does the sector need a recommended process for recruiting patrons, or does a quick tweet suffice?