Hugh Reilly: Staffroom's elders jump at chance of early retirement

I AM 53 years old but if one looks at my photograph alongside this column, one could be forgiven for thinking the years have been kind to me.

Unfortunately, the snap was taken in 1997. In a reversal of The Picture of Dorian Gray, my portrait remains unchanged while my wizened face has acquired an unsettling resemblance to Albert Steptoe.

I have never lied about my age, other than when p...