With his wispy grey hair, shaggy sideburns, big nose and brown waistcoat, the image of Roald Dahl’s Big Friendly Giant is as instantly recognisable to millions as his giant peach, child-catching Twits and a certain top-hatted confectionery magnate

Quentin Blake’s singular style that has endeared his work to generations of readers, young and old, it is hard to imagine him as anything other than the hugely successful artists and illustrator he is, lauded all over, and with the financial rewards one would expect.