I met him three times - first, on Milan railway station; we both got off the overnight car train and I introduced myself, as I'd just been photographed by his son in law and told him I'd always wanted to meet John.

So we had breakfast together.

I reminded him of that when we met subsequently at an Inside Time reception and again at the book launch for my friend (and fellow Cambridge undergrad) Valerie Grove's biography.

Excellent read by the way.

I saw John had bad leg ulcer problems - since that killed my Mum I was sympathetic.

Splendid writer. Rumpole was a gem.

vale John Mortimer..loved all your books