I’d Like To Know

Q Here’s a question my grandson asked me, which I hope you can answer. What is the difference between a porpoise and a dolphin? Mrs L.F., Basingstoke. A The main difference is that dolphins have longer, beak-like snouts, and the body shapes differ, too. Dolphins are longer and leaner, and they also have wider mouths. The fins of a dolphin are more curved than a porpoise, too, unless it’s the Indo-pacific finless porpoise, which doesn’t have a fin on its back at all!

However, even the many different species of dolphin can vary in appearance. One that doesn’t have a long snout is the Australian snubfin dolphin – the name speaks for itself! A similar looking one to the snubfin – though recognised as being a species in its own right – is the Irrawaddy dolphin, found in south-east Asia (pictured here). With fewer than 100 in existence, they are listed as endangered. Q Could you please tell me if Tom Owen in “Last Of The Summer Wine” is related to Bill Owen, who played Compo? O.M.M., Swadlincote. A Yes, Tom is the son of the much-loved Bill Owen – whose birth name was William John Owen Rowbotham. Tom, of course, played Compo’s long-lost son in the sitcom following the sad passing of his father. Q I recall seeing a music video showing Peter Gabriel from the beginning of his career through to the present day, singing the same song (and I’m sure he rides around on a bike!) Can you remind me what that song was? Mrs E.U., Darlington. A The song Peter sings in the video is “Solsbury Hill”. It marries together snapshots of the singer at various ages and stages of his musical career. The resulting montage is set against the backdrop of this song, his first single as a solo artist. It certainly makes a nostalgic watch for fans.