AFTER serving the Metropolitan Police as a detective at Scotland Yard, Simon Lincoln was asked to become Sir Michael Caine’s bodyguard and assistant, living with him in a cottage adjacent to his house.

Simon, who moved to the Island in January, 2020, and now works as a planner at Cowes Moooovers, spent several years Simon with Sir Michael, as their working relationship developed into friendship.

Simon describes the screen icon, 87, as a 'very down to earth, warm hearted man with a great sense of humour', saying that Sir Michael never refused a selfie or an autograph with a fan and always made time for people.

On a shopping trip, Simon recollects two ladies struggling to reach a box of cereal on a top shelf.

As quick as a flash, and in his distinctive voice, Sir Michael said to the ladies, “you’ve got to be seven foot to eat those!”

During their many car journeys, Simon remembers with immense happiness the conversations and laughs they always had.

He said: “Michael taught me so much, including to look at life in a positive way.

"A few years ago, he broke his ankle slipping on the snow and couldn’t walk unaided for a number of months.

"Instead of being down, he decided to write a book, which became a best seller Blowing the Bloody Doors Off: And other Lessons in Life.

“We always had belly laughs in the car together, but when it became too loud, (his wife) Shakira Caine would ask Michael to be quiet.

"Michael sheepishly looked at me and said, ‘well that told me’ and we laughed again!”