People mention his bluntness, even rudeness; his propensity for swearing; his intolerance of fools and stupid questions, and blistering responses thereto; his fondness for good beer, apparently in large amounts, and his consequent antipathy for early mornings; his passion for the things he cared about, which often could spill over into anger… and his subsequent regret and apologies. I’ve done much the same, and had similar written about me.

And he was from Lancaster!? Next you’ll tell me there’s water at the bottom of the ocean …