Ahh, village gossip also has it that the Prof. - a specialist in rare forms of lichen by day - has an evil alter-ego who works by night deep in his secret underground laboratory, performing all kinds of peculiar experiments on whatever it is he's got down there.

No-body in Buttercup Mews questions the screams and howls that emanate from deep within the the bowels of Dr. Jameson's semi-detached bungalow. For although he's a bit evil, as a genius and member of Mensa the neighbours generally tend to be understanding of his idiosyncrasies - plus the Dr. has also appeared both on Countdown and Eggheads!

But it is a blessed relief to the poor traumatised ears of Miss Pringle the school mistress (who unfortunately shares an adjoining wall with the doctor) now that he's "missing". Plus, she can now get her outdoor Christmas lights down from the loft.