You never know when you may be called on to fly up to court because someone of importance has done something they shouldn’t, or be sent off to a high profile press conference or serious car accident.

For that reason it is important to make sure your appearance is as it should be and you are suitably attired. When I was a cub reporter in the wilds of north Wales (my boss now insists this makes me Welsh) I was so paranoid about things like that I even kept a spare shirt and tie in the office just in case.

But I am a lazy so and so given the chance and over time have lapsed into lazy habits. The problem is these things can bite you on the bum.

As an example . . . my picture which has been accompanying this blog (hopefully by the time you read this it will have changed!) and today appeared on page 8 of the Shropshire Star.

Now, clearly I’m no Brad Pitt (more John Hannah apparently… whatever happened to him starring in a live action movie of Mr Benn?) but it’s fair to say I don’t look my best on that picture.

No jacket, bird’s nest hair and in desperate need of a shave. Several comments have been passed. None of them complimentary. “I notice you didn’t put a picture of Dave on the Front.” “I thought the one inside was enough.” Nice.

So now I’ve had a new pic done. It’s still not Brad Pitt. But at least it’s not Joe McTramp either. And I’m shaving every day.