Sir Peter was also a major supporter of UNICEF for over 30 years and a great humourist. His autobigraphy Dear Me was engrossing and incredibly funny.

When he went off to school in London at the age 6, he was confronted with a large picture of Jesus Christ holding the hand of a boy scout and pointing out the extent of the British Empire. He said that was the beginning of his scepticism.

The world is a poorer place for his loss.