So it goes with this clam, garlic and herb pasta, or spaghetti vongole, a seasonal item at Nina Compton’s New Orleans restaurant, Compère Lapin.

But overall he concluded: "On the day, Marr's editorial content outperformed Peston but Pesto himself was arguably the more fascinating compere."

As the compere gives the cue for him to step on to the stage, he admits he is "terrified".