Though not a scientist I’ve long had an interest in astronomy and cosmology. Among the great mysteries of the universe that addle my mind are string theory, dark energy, gravitational waves, dark matter, black holes and Ant & Dec.

The North-easterners trigger in me a fundamental question: ‘Why?’ The ‘lads’ have just collected another BAFTA. This time, I think, the citation goes, ‘The BAFTA awarded for most BAFTAs won in a career’. Arguably that should read ‘two careers’.

The looming question is ‘Why?’ (‘How?’ may be substituted) do they keep picking up these awards and celebrity hardware? That remains one of the great secrets of the cosmos, yet to be revealed. They seem nice enough chaps but is that enough? If I’m still around when the chirpy pair have their ‘Einstein moment’ and their secret is disclosed I won’t believe it, or understand it, or both.

Don’t get me started about their OBEs!

‘Forever mystified’,

Derek ‘BAFTA-baffled’ Reed,

Middlethorpe Drive, York