This ploy of course emphasised the fact that he began his career in the health service and a long way from London, rather than having been grown in lab in a secret project led by Tony Blair and UnitedHealth.

Such emphasis on his provincial credentials will raise eyebrows among those expecting Mr Stevens to instigate an abrupt shift in NHS England’s business from Leeds to London. End Game understands all his pre-1 April briefings with staff were in the capital, and some directorates, tired of endless train journeys to Yorkshire, are excitedly eyeing a rapid southward movement.

Readers will also be delighted to know that, while Mr Stevens is set to start a Twitter account, it is expected to be signficantly less used, and less funny, than that of his predecessor.