I hadn't seen Joe for a little while, so this came as a dreadful shock. Like Mary and Mark, I first met Joe at the Unicorn when we were all residents there. What a singer! 'Lord Gregory', 'Jolly Tinker', 'Waterford Boys'.... he was moving or rumbustuous by turns.

Joe attended the National as a punter a number of times, and I count it one of my prouder moments to have prevailed on the management there finally to invite him as a guest. I was sitting alongside Joe when he launched into his first song of the weekend, and the expressions of glee and wonderment on the faces of audience members who had never heard him before were a joy to behold.

He was generous to a fault and - as has been remarked - a real gentleman. I won't forget him.