Proud father moment

One of the things that you have to face when you reach 50 is that your children's achievements start to surpass your own.

My son, Tom, is in his second year studying PPE at Brasenose College, Oxford. If you google him, then [as at February 2013] google auto-suggests 'posh girls dating' and also gives links to his various appearances in the national press.

Last week, he was, true to his journo self, in the front row when George Galloway refused to talk to an Israeli student. Tom wrote an article for Cherwell.org that evening http://www.tinyurl.com/a2nc9bo which Sky News picked up (as did all the papers)…resulting in them coming to Oxford to interview both the student and Tom http://tinyurl.com/azz3vte

Several of our friends and my colleagues saw him on TV- helped, ahem, in most cases (for which read nearly all cases) by me drawing attention to it. Some of the feedback:

[Mark, client]. I thought Tom was great Allan. What a strange man George Galloway is. I'm sure a psychologist would have a field day with him!

[Sam, client]. …I did watch Sky and saw Tom. Nice coverage and I think the university boys came out on top.

[Colin, friend] Allan. I saw Tom on Sky news, a very discerning young man. Tell Tom well done.

[Brian, former colleague] Tom did well. A very impressive young man and a credit to you.

[Barry, friend and client] Family just watched Tom, came across very well…some same mannerisms as his dad!! Including the head tilt! Future newsreader!!

[Joanne, colleague] He's so like you!! It's the body language! (When I quizzed Joanne the next day, she told me I tilt my head)

[Debbie, close friend] Just seen Tom!! He looked like you! Same mannerisms! (When asked what mannerisms, Debbie replied) Finger on the lips.

[John, close friend] He did very well.

I had no idea that I tilt my head. If of course I do. But I am sure how proud I am of Tom.

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