RIP Gary.

I woke this morning to the saddest news that Gary Speed had passed.

A legend in every Welshman's eyes, it seemed on the face of it that here was a gentleman of sport admired and liked by all, a man who had everything. Who can tell what goes on in a person's mind. How do we begin to rationalise an act that is so shocking that it seems to defy any logic?....visible logic that is.

There have been many that have questioned how he could have done this to his wife and children. But do any of us know what we are capable of? I will not condemn him for only he will have known the torment he was hiding. We certainly need a greater understanding of depression, if we are to summise that this was indeed the cause.

The effect is devastating to everyone left behind but I for one will choose to remember the mark he made in his short 41 years. He may not be as high profile as many celebs who have passed in recent times, notably Seve B, MJ or Amy W, but for me, particularly in his most recent role, he brought hope for the future to a nation of underdogs. To the Welsh, he was a legend in his lifetime and a beacon of hope for the future. He will be sorely missed and the nature of his passing does not befit the contribution he made to the lives of many.

My photo has no bearing on this news. It was intended to be a follow up from yesterday's blip where I was to demonstrate the re-touching software on the fairer sex, but in truth, there was little improvement I could make on my young subjects today.

We only had one daughter, Popz (left), but we picked up a lot of surrogates along the way and this is our lovely Naomi (right). They have been best buddies forever it seems. Naomi is family!

[oh....and she's Welsh too!]

PS - Our Tom is on TV Monday 28th - ITV - Britain's Best Dish - 5pm GMT and should be available on ITV PLayer afterwards - for anyone interested.