Whiteley

Paul Whiteley, emeritus professor of government at the University of Essex, who authored the 2011 study that Dr Shepherd and his team later revisited, points to a separate research project about values and beliefs, conducted by social scientists, which found much less of a change over the years in answers to certain questions about honesty.

That separate study also indicates that "cheating on taxes and accepting bribes has become more unacceptable", argues Prof Whiteley.

As for the future, Prof Whiteley speculates the UK may be about to become somewhat less honest.

Prog-rock icon Rick Wakeman performed a rendition of his track Gone But Not Forgotten - which he also played at the memorial of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley.

The victory is Rowles' third gold following wins in Tokyo in 2021 and Rio in 2016 with former partner Laurence Whiteley.