WATCHING some of the excellent XL Expo – formerly Bolton’s Stongest Man competition – at the USN Bolton Arena at the weekend revealed a current fascinating male trend.

The number of young men there with very bushy beards was quite surprising. Now, facial hair fashions tend to come and go – from Magnum moustaches to Beckham goatees – but can I just protest gently about this latest fad?

The contestants, all good-looking young men, looked old enough to be their own dads. While beards can definitely enhance male looks, these full, bushy monstrosities simply hid half their faces. Please, come out and be recognised!