It’s interesting to watch the slow transformation of the former frontman of the Smiths Morrissey from the darling of the alternative world to a “controversial” figure who spouts decidedly un-rock star wisdom. Who would have thought that this strange and awkward sexually-ambiguous vegan and campaigner against animal cruelty would a decade or two (or three) later be sounding like a grumpy, UKIP-voting, Daily Mai” reader?

I suspect it’s both the case of the world having changed and Morrissey having changed as well, which is not a common experience in the world of art and entertainment — as neither is the courage...