In the late 1970s, Michael treated Kathleen and her parents Tom and Pamela Hall to an exotic experience at an Indian restaurant after a night out at the theatre in Wolverhampton.

Tom, who described Michael as a “really nice guy, highly intelligent”, said: “He said he knew this place so off we went to this curry house. He ordered us four vindaloos, my god I wish he hadn't. It was like sitting on a pin cushion.”

Rosie obviously inherited Michael's powers of persuasion as she managed to talk him into letting her try some of his beer on holiday in France.

She said: “He let me try one of those bottles of beer. I told him it tasted like baguette and butter!”

Many happy days were spent in France, where Michael taught the children how to make boats out of sand and they put mussel shells in their eyes for photos.

During one holiday in La Tranche Sur Mer, France, Michael accidentally bought a crate of what he thought was beer only to discover that it was Shandy. Maddy, delighted by this mistake, spent the rest of the holiday supping from the green bottles and pretending to be grown up.

Being the good Dad that he is, Michael took Jonny to a fun run in Reading while he was still at West Oxford Primary School.

Jonny said: “It was a hot summer day. Dad had a bike with a basket on the front and a big bottle of water. He was following me round, catching me up about every half a mile to offer me the water but I refused it every time.

“I was so determined to finish I didn't want to stop. I remember being really red in the face. It was really nice of him to take me up there. It was a good day.”

But another father-son trip to Wembley stadium to watch WWF wrestling in the late 80s was not so successful.

Jonny said: “I remember asking him if I could go and kept thinking he would say no straight away. I was really surprised and happy that he said yes. William Downey from primary school came with us.

“I remember going there and being gutted because we had paid a lot of money for the tickets, well he had, and we were right at the back of the stadium. We couldn't see much as we were behind a pole. But it was still a nice trip out.”

He was even a good Dad to other people's sons. James McClure (junior), son of his friend Jim, said: “When I was very young, Mike – we called him Mikey – had a rather nice red sports car and he took us to see the then new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

“At the movie, he bought me my first extra large Coke with lots of ice, definitely the best drink I had ever had up to that point. Thanks!”

Not long after Val died, Michael took a 28-hour direct flight to Australia to visit Maddy, who was travelling. Their first evening together was a dreamy night on a boat tour around Sydney harbour as they soaked up the amazing views around them. It was the first of many unforgettable trips.

One lunch the pair enjoyed Manly's finest fish and chips while sitting on a wall lining the beach. But it was a somewhat uncomfortable affair for Maddy, who was trying to sit lopsided so as to avoid hurting her belly button, which she had just had pierced hours before.

Michael celebrated his birthday in Oz in spectacular style – drinking Champagne (or some dubious equivalent) at the top of Sydney harbour bridge overlooking the famous Opera House. After a toast, Michael, Maddy and her travelling friend Ruth Pethybridge had a luxurious long lazy lunch which lasted so long, Michael left before the end to meet cousin Margaret. Ruth and Maddy remained to order pudding, a mouth-watering vanilla ice-cream and cake which was so good they ordered a second portion. Despite Michael leaving a significant amount to cover the bill, in his absence the girls had consumed so much that they were forced to contribute an extra $40 themselves.

An all-day walk around the Blue Mountains followed by a speedy ascent back to the beginning in the world's steepest lift was one of the most challenging, but satisfying days of his stay. A lunch break in the midday sun next to a waterfall, and the awesome views surrounding them, helped them along their weary way.

Michael also visited Maddy while she was living in Toronto, or Tronno as he insisted on calling it. He stayed in a B&B off Spadina run by the lovely Barb who provided local knowledge, ample conversation and a tasty fry-up. On the night he arrived, the two Ms got flaming drunk and BAF (you know what I mean) at Vavoom restaurant, where Maddy worked at the time. Friends drifted in and out of the restaurant throughout the night to drink Champagne and rejoice at the wonder of Mike, who had somehow put a smile on everyone's face despite only being in the country for a matter of hours.

A day trip to Niagara Falls on the coldest day of the year was highly entertaining. On the bus alone the pair were faced with the bum of a man wearing ripped trousers who seemed to need the toilet (behind us) every ten minutes. Once at Niagara they enjoyed the falls, nearly caught frostbite and marvelled at the lollipop trees which were encased in ice from the spray from the falls. An expensive, but practically inedible lunch was washed down with a $25 bottle of rouge – the saving grace of the meal. Then the thrill seekers stumbled upon an irresistible offer at a House of Horrors museum up the road – two for one. Just as they had relaxed on their tour of the unknown, a masked man waving a knife appeared, scraped the wall menacingly then disappeared into the darkness. They emerged scared shitless but exhilarated, and all at the bargain price of $5.

Ten years ago Michael celebrated spending half a century on this tiny island we call England. Gathering his closest friends and family, he marked the occasion with a boat party on the Fair Rosamund floating restaurant in Oxford. Number one daughter Maddy celebrated by plonking herself firmly next to the buffet table and eating all the asparagus rolls. Grandad, or Dad as he is known to Michael, made a proud, loving speech and we all smiled and said a cheer to the man we love.

For his 60th birthday, Michael (row your boat to shore) is continuing the aquatic theme with a joint boat party in Richmond with Mary.

So happy birthday my dear. What an interesting life you have led so far. We all look forward to sharing many more memories with you, drinking Champagne with you, and laughing with you.

Enjoy this moment – for this moment is your life.

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