The contractual formalities were taken care of in Andy’s Swindon home and The Lower Deck in Portabello where Neil Hannon was among those who witnessed Thomas putting pen to paper.

The first fruits of the liaison will be Giddy, a career-spanning collection of tracks, which Partridge is selecting. That’ll be followed later in the year by the cross-channel release of 2008’s Eleven Modern Antiquities, which will include bonus tracks and new artwork.

“We’re very proud of the original artwork, but different artwork is a lifelong tradition and one that we’re excited about,” says Thomas, ever the pop traditionalist.

Pictured here with his record company boss headgear is Andy Partridge.