From interviewing legendary sportsmen and rock music icons, to mixing with showbiz celebrities and political bigwigs; from reporting on soccer at the highest level, to getting behind the scenes at pop concerts; from having a string of front-page scoops, to witnessing historic events; from making personal pilgrimages, to being invited inside Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street... these are some of the highlights of MIKE MALYON'S fascinating career.

For almost half a century he worked as a local newspaper journalist, seizing every opportunity to taste and write about as many interesting experiences as possible, while also meeting some of the most famous people in the world.

Mike was able to closely follow his uncle's rise to national TV stardom and admits to guiltily obtaining a Rolling Stones' souvenir. He also recalls holding aloft the Jules Rimet Trophy after the World Cup Final in Mexico and having the FA Cup in his lap in a Wembley winners' dressing room.

But, through it all, Mike's most treasured memory is the day he ventured onto The Somme, to make an emotional connection with someone he never had the chance to meet-a real unsung hero.