London has more than 20 hospitals that serve its population of over 9 million people. Most of these are run by the NHS, but a few are private hospitals, often run by the British United Provident Association, a private health provider, which usually, like the NHS, goes by its initials. BUPA was founded in 1947 and provides competition for the NHS, and some companies offer private health for their employees as a perk to attract applicants. Most people are happy enough, however, to rely on the NHS for healthcare provision.

I can pinpoint the moment that I knew that the London Olympics were going to be great. James Bond was in Buckingham Palace meeting the Queen. It had to be a lookalike, didn’t it? Then she turned around and it really was the Queen.