The dastardly Mr Deedes

Sports Direct chairman Keith Hellawell’s re-election once again displays the excopper’s canny knack for survival. Perhaps it’s down to his gritty upbringing. The blurb to Hellawell’s 2002 memoir, The Outsider, reads: ‘An abused, unwanted, squint-eyed boy, Keith Hellawell never knew who his real father was. His mother, a club dancer, was always bringing home different men, and would tie him to the table leg to keep him quiet.’ A cheerful-sounding read! Not even the Bank of England is immune to nuisance cold callers. One of the bank’s agents, Andrew Hebden, shares the following exchange he had with one yesterday. Caller: ‘Hello, can I speak to the business owner?’ Hebden: ‘This is the Bank of England.’ Caller: ‘Yes, can I speak to the owner.’ Hebden: ‘Of the Bank of England?’ Caller: ‘Yes.’ Hebden: ‘No.’ Caller: ‘Well, do you want to sell the business?’ Hebden: ‘What, the Bank of England?’ A pause. Caller: ‘Yes.’ Did you catch City superwoman Helena Morrissey on Newsnight reporting on the IPPR think-tank’s report on the economy? Stylish, articulate – Newsnight bosses should find a regular slot for the elegant mother-of- nine in the future. God knows viewers need a reason to stay up for it nowadays. Scientist Brian Cox bagged interviews with Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for his excellent BBC2 programme The 21st Century Race for Space. He also spoke to another space travel-obsessed tycoon, Elon Musk, though for reasons not explained the Paypal founder refused to appear on camera. Musk, 46, is an odd fish. With his taut face and suspiciously regenerated hairline, he appears more cyborg than human. He wants to go and live on Mars and who are we to stop him? The Financial Times has been granted an exclusive interview this weekend with David Beckham. It seems a surprising outlet for the attention-obsessed footballer, but then he’s no slouch when it comes to business. For all we know a copy of the selfregarding title arrives at Beckham Towers each morning for he and Posh’s perusal.