King Russell’s mum called earlier and while he was speaking to her I was squawking in the background as usual. Then I heard him say, “No mum, we haven’t bought a parrot.” He went on to explain it was just me she could hear shrieking.

His mum knows me well but she hadn’t heard this particular squawk before. Sometimes I am like a parrot and do repeat things I’ve just heard. This is called Echolalia.

Echolalia also occurs in other neurological conditions like Autism and Alzheimer’s, and sometimes after a stroke. It’s got me into trouble before now, when strangers have thought I’m taking the piss.