Watching Dave's last appearance at PMQs & his series of parting quips I suddenly realised who he's been modelling himself on for the past few years ... Siegfried in All Creatures Great And Small - or at least Robert Hardy's performance.

That same ruddy complexion, chipper manner & asperity born of an innate sense of superiority. That breezy way of leaving the room ...

Which, logically, makes May the James Herriot figure ... landed with all the nasty jobs.

How very apt.

As the front door of No. 10 closes you can imagine the rolling up of sleeves as she readies herself to plunge her hands into the most diseased wounds & orifices imaginable ... Is there disinfectant of sufficient strength?