The timing of Hook’s revelations, ahead of the publication of his new autobiography, has led some people to question his motives. You can almost hear the ghost of Aherne’s comic creation, Mrs. Merton, quipping with mock innocence:

“So Hooky, what inspired you to talk so openly about your wife’s alleged violence, this close to the launch of your new book?”

But real violence against real men shouldn’t be a laughing matter. According to Mark Brooks, chairman of The ManKind Initiative, speaking out about being a male victim of domestic violence remains one of Britain’s last great taboo subjects.