On BBC One last night was a terrific documentary in which comedian and science-buff Dara O'Briain met Stephen Hawking and had the opportunity to ask him all the questions he has always wanted to ask. From the programme notes:
Since he was a teenager, Dara O Briain has been fascinated with professor Stephen Hawking, the world's most celebrated scientist. In this special film, Dara spends time with his boyhood hero as he attends the world premiere of The Theory of Everything, the movie made about his life, and then at Professor Hawking's home and place of work in Cambridge.
It brought back memories of the afternoon I spent with Professor Hawking and, too, of the initial difficulty one has in attempting to strike up a conversation – followed by the realisation that answers will only come very slowly. It was during that afternoon that I gave Professor Hawking a copy of the limited edition Time Traveller's Invitation print and, of course, when he requested another copy so that he could have one in his Cambridge University office and another at home.
And, yup, that's the print right there behind Prof. Hawking's head in this screengrab from the documentary. In a room absolutely crammed with an enviable selection of photos with world leaders and priceless memorabilia, I am really proud to see my work displayed.