No crisps but we shared a bag of cherries as he gave me notes to which I had to pitch in thirds and fifths above and below till he discovered my range. Didn't take long.

Yes, he was unfailingly polite and courteous, and always inquired into what I was doing musically and even if it was in the hope that I wouldn't burst into it instantly, he never actually discouraged me.

Contrary to most people's beliefs that he never performed it, I have seen him do First Time Ever, the song that paid for he and Peggy to produce his youngest daughter Kitty.

Seventeen years after his death, I still can't get more than half way through The Joy Of Living without collapsing in tears.