He was principally on tour to promote his autobiography, 'A life in questions,' and at one stage the audience could barely believe their ears as he referred to Jersey as....wait for it.....Guernsey.

That horror upon horror apart, it was a magical night full of whimsy and delight.

Paxman started in buoyant mood by saying 'yes' and 'no' to all of the interviewer's initial questions. It was a dastardly trick and Paxo quickly apologised, advising his interviewer to ask questions which did not require one word answers. One of the first rules of journalism.

He called his father a "curmudgeonly old bastard," his mother barely got a mention, but his two brothers, both seen in picture stills, were lovingly referred to.

Paxo admitted he despised his school years but found Cambridge University, which he attended to read English, was clearly a hoot. It was also the making of him as he came out of it having worked for the college newspaper with a passion for journalism and in particular foreign war zones. 

After being shot at in El Salvador, he then opted for the rather more everyday world of reading the news on local television in London.

Another lucky break saw him star in the national stakes on breakfast TV and pretty soon BBC's flagship current affairs programme 'Newsnight' snapped him up, the move that was to bring him real national recognition. 

Paxman came across like your favourite Uncle. He spoke with wisdom, clarity and fairness. He answered all the audience questions with aplomb and was scrupulously kind and considerate to his interviewer.

Paxman admitted his interview technique, described as "tough," was in fact just his way of getting a straight answer. He holds complete disdain for lobby correspondents, who become all to familiar with the people, namely politicians, they are supposed to analyse. Paxo hasn't got any time for that. He says journalists must be on the outside looking in, not the other way round - and he is absolutely right.

The biggest cheer of the night was when he spoke of meeting a Jersey politician before the show "who seemed very happy to be on the front page of the local newspaper."

The audience obviously knew exactly who he meant, while Paxman continued to launch into politicians. "Sometimes they can be a pretty detestable race all things considered" was his summing up.

He said he continues to enjoy the "magic" of fly fishing and insists his most enjoyable moments in journalism involved working with colleagues who he enjoyed.

"And the most important part of all that, having a laugh."

It was a perfect note to end on a enthralling night, in the company of one of television's true greats. The like of which may not come round for some time to come.