Mobile phone company EE has introduced a charge for jumping the queue on customer service calls.

Callers are invited by an automated message to use the priority service for a flat fee of 50 pence.
Some customers, especially those who have been with the company for years, are unhappy that calls are not treated equally.
But EE said that they had set high standards for their customer service operations.
One customer - Andrew Griffiths - told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours that he would consider switching if EE was the only firm to do this.
It added that the "small charges" for certain services contributed to the investment in this side of the business.
The priority answering system is similar in some ways to queue jumping charges at airports and theme parks.
The service has been available for a week to customers on pay monthly on Sim-only plans.
"I thought it was a bad idea for a company to offer to provide what really ought to be a standard level of customer service for a fee," he said.
"It makes you think that perhaps they might not be trying too hard to answer the non-prioritised calls."


Newport County survived a late Barnet onslaught to claim a second successive draw in League Two.

David Pipe went close for bottom club County in a scoreless first half, but after the break eighth-placed Barnet took control.
Goalkeeper Joe Day was County's hero, saving brilliantly to foil Simeon Akinola and making an outstanding double stop to deny Mauro Vilhete.
John Akinde fired wide in the dying minutes for The Bees.
Newport County manager Graham Westley told BBC Radio Wales: "Before you become a winning side you've got to be an unbeaten side, a side that's difficult to play against and proud of its clean sheets.
"And I think in the past couple of games you've seen a side that's worked very hard at its defensive aspects.
"When you go away from home you're going to be under the cosh to an extent, but I thought it was a very determined and a very dogged performance."
Match ends, Barnet 0, Newport County 0.
Second Half ends, Barnet 0, Newport County 0.
Attempt missed. Mauro Vilhete (Barnet) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Attempt missed. Josh Sheehan (Newport County) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Foul by Mauro Vilhete (Barnet).
Josh Sheehan (Newport County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Alex Samuel (Newport County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Ricardo Santos (Barnet).
Attempt blocked. Elliot Johnson (Barnet) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. John Akinde (Barnet) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Newport County. Mickey Demetriou replaces David Pipe because of an injury.
Delay in match David Pipe (Newport County) because of an injury.
Michael Nelson (Barnet) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Aaron Williams (Newport County).
Attempt missed. Nana Kyei (Barnet) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.
Curtis Weston (Barnet) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Alex Samuel (Newport County).
Attempt blocked. Jack Taylor (Barnet) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner,  Barnet. Conceded by Sid Nelson.
Corner,  Barnet. Conceded by Joe Day.
Attempt saved. Nana Kyei (Barnet) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Attempt saved. Josh Sheehan (Newport County) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Substitution, Barnet. Luke Coulson replaces Harry Taylor.
Foul by Simeon Akinola (Barnet).
Alex Samuel (Newport County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt blocked. Simeon Akinola (Barnet) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Mark O'Brien (Newport County) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
John Akinde (Barnet) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Mark O'Brien (Newport County).
Foul by Elliot Johnson (Barnet).
Alex Samuel (Newport County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Mauro Vilhete (Barnet) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Foul by Elliot Johnson (Barnet).
Alex Samuel (Newport County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Mauro Vilhete (Barnet) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Corner,  Barnet. Conceded by Joe Day.
Attempt saved. Mauro Vilhete (Barnet) header from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal.
Simeon Akinola (Barnet) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Tom Owen-Evans (Newport County).


Reading manager Jaap Stam defended rotating key players as he prepares for the Championship promotion run-in.

Dutchman Stam made four changes for the visit of leaders Newcastle United on Tuesday and hinted more rotation would be on the way in their final 10 games.
"At the moment, it's not about individuals, it's about the team performance in what we want to achieve together," he told BBC Radio Berkshire.
Reading are fifth in the Championship after Tuesday's 0-0 stalemate.
The Royals held Newcastle to their first goalless draw of the season, while Garath McCleary almost netted a late winner when his stoppage time shot skimmed the crossbar.
"We've got a squad with a few players and we can make choices to give a few a rest so that they can be sharper when they step back in," Stam said after the game.
"It's important with the changes you make that you can still get results. Everyone in the squad knows what's expected from them, what they need to do and the choices they make.
"Sometimes it happens that you can play and then maybe the next game, you're not even in the squad.
"I think everybody is committed to that and we can keep that up until the end of the season."


Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses has praised manager Antonio Conte for resurrecting his career and giving him the "confidence to enjoy his football".

Moses, 26, joined the Blues from Wigan for £9m in 2012 but was sent out on loan to Liverpool, Stoke and West Ham by former boss Jose Mourinho.
But he played 34 times this term as Chelsea claimed the Premier League title with a record 30 wins.
"I am more focused now than ever. I am enjoying my football again," he said.
The Nigeria international played 43 games in his first season with the Blues, scoring 10 goals, and was part of the 2013 Europa League-winning squad under interim manager Rafael Benitez.
But he failed to play under Mourinho in the Portuguese manager's second spell at Stamford Bridge, being given temporary moves to three top-flight clubs.
This season, the forward was handed a new defensive role as he rejuvenated his Chelsea career and played an integral role in Italian boss Conte's first season in charge.
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"We have got a new manager here who is willing to give everyone an opportunity," said Moses. "He gave me that opportunity and I didn't look back after that.
"I am very pleased with that and I just want to keep improving in every game I play. It is a new role for me and I am still getting used to it."
Moses could add an FA Cup winners' medal on Saturday when Chelsea take on London rivals Arsenal in the final at Wembley.
He added: "That would be a great achievement for me. We don't feel any pressure, we are just taking this game as it comes.
"We have got the league title and they are going to want to win because they missed out on top four. We are going to try and stop them because we want the Double."


The Panama Canal Authority says it will temporarily cut the draft of ships allowed through because of drought caused by El Nino.

From 8 September, the maximum draft - or depth in the water - will be cut to 39ft (11.89m), which may affect up to 20% of traffic.
A similar restriction was imposed for the same reason in 1998.
The authorities say a further cut could be imposed on 16 September if the situation does not improve.
The authority has taken the action because water levels in the Gatun and Alhajuela lakes have fallen as a result of the El Nino weather phenomenon.
The current draft limit is 39.5ft, which will be cut to 39ft on 8 September and then potentially to 38.5ft on 16 September.
Shipping companies had been warned the cuts could be coming.
The Panama Canal celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, having seen more than a million ships pass through.
Panama took control of the canal from the US in 2000, and has since been widely praised with the way it has handled the operation.
Transit fees now bring in about $1bn (Â£645m) a year for the government.


A pub earmarked for development has been bought by the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, which aims to turn it into a centre for visitors.

The Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock is one of only two canalside pubs along the length of the canal.
In April 2013, the owner Wadworth Brewery shut the pub saying it was not viable as a business.
"We believe we can make this into a tourist destination," said Chris Coyle, acting chairman of the canal trust.
The trust plans to keep the pub operating but also wants it to be expanded and enlarged to house a cafe and museum.
Boat trips, bicycle and boat hire are also planned.
"We are also very keen for this to be a centre for the surrounding community," said Mr Coyle.
The trust is working to restore the canal so that boats can sail along its full length - some 50 miles (80km).


Forget fire engines, this is how Dubai firefighters go into action - using speedboats and... jetpacks.

23 January 2017 Last updated at 16:08 GMT
This video was released by the Dubai Civil Defence team, showing off their new kit, by rising above a bridge using a jet pack powered by water pressure from a jet ski.
Check out the video.


It was long awaited and when it came it pulled no punches.

Alberto Salazar's response to BBC Panorama and ProPublica allegations about anti-doping violations ran to nearly 12,000 words and was beefed up with dozens of emails and statements.
"I will never permit doping. Oregon Project athletes must fully comply with the Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) code and IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) rules," said Salazar.
He said the journalism behind the programme was false and hurtful, while launching personal attacks on the story's principal contributors. He said they were "haters" and were "at best, misinformed. At worst, they are lying."
Salazar has demanded the BBC retracts its allegations.
The BBC says it stands by the journalism in the programme.
Within two hours of his open letter going online, it was reported that the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had been investigating allegations that Salazar had skirted anti-doping rules. The reports suggested USADA had taken statements from more than 12 witnesses.
The BBC now understands that at least six former Oregon Project members have been contacted by USADA in the past month, and that an inquiry into Salazar is being led by chief USADA investigator Bill Bock.
USADA does not confirm investigations.
It is worth taking the responses to the allegations made about Salazar and his star athlete Galen Rupp in turn. It is also worth looking at what the statement did not address.
Salazar's former assistant coach Steve Magness raised a number of concerns, and produced a document from a lab report that suggested Galen Rupp was on "testosterone medication" aged 16.
Four weeks ago, Salazar told the BBC the notation on the document had been a mistake, and that the legal nutritional supplement Testoboost had been incorrectly recorded as "testosterone medication".
Mauro DiPasquale, owner of Testoboost, told ProPublica this week Salazar had recently contacted him in the hope that he would confirm Rupp was taking Testoboost in 2002.
He said he had no records regarding Salazar and Testoboost prior to 2004, and had no way of knowing whether Rupp was taking it in 2002.
In his response on Wednesday, Salazar said Rupp "does not recall exactly which supplement he took in 2002. It could have been Testoboost, Alpha Male, Tribex, or ZMA."
The individual who made the notation in this detailed chart about Rupp's blood levels was Dr Loren Myhre, head physiologist at the Nike lab, for whom Salazar said he had the greatest respect.
Salazar said the notation "is an error that cannot be explained as Dr Myhre is no longer alive" and that Rupp "likely made some comment about taking something related to a testosterone supplement" to Dr Myhre.
No other mistakes were revealed in this extensive document.
No other explanation is offered as to why a leading scientist who was working intensively with elite athletes would make such a basic and potentially damaging error in his notes.
This wasn't the only time Dr Myhre was referred to in the BBC and ProPublica output.
"Mike", a runner associated with the Oregon Project whose identity has been protected, told the BBC and ProPublica that in 2007 Dr Myhre advised him to see a specialist to get put on testosterone medication to get his levels "back to normal" because "this is what Alberto does".
Salazar dismissed this claim as "completely false. It is not what I did then; it's not what I do now and it's not what I have ever done."
Allegations had been made by Magness that Salazar had carried out experiments on his own adult son, Alex, to see how much testosterone gel would have to be rubbed on before it triggered a positive test.
The BBC and ProPublica reported that the reason given by Salazar for this at the time was that he was guarding against his athletes being sabotaged by their enemies, though Magness dismissed this explanation as "ludicrous" and said it "was them trying to figure out how to cheat the tests".
Salazar did not respond to this allegation when it was put to him seven weeks ago. Nor did his son.
But in his response on Wednesday, Salazar confirmed the experiments with the banned steroid took place on both of his sons.
He provided detailed email correspondence with endocrinologist Dr Jeffrey Brown, who Salazar said "set up the experiment".
Salazar said his concerns were prompted by twice-banned sprinter Justin Gatlin's 2006 claim that his positive test for testosterone was caused by being sabotaged by a masseur.
"If it was possible, we wanted to make sure our post-race protocol was structured to eliminate this risk," Salazar said.
"I was a bit naive and let my paranoia get the best of me here but there was never intent to do anything illegal."
Following the experiment, Salazar told Dr Brown in an email: "I'll sleep better now after drug tests at big meets knowing someone didn't sabotage us!"
Testosterone is a controlled substance in the US and it is illegal to use it without a prescription.
ProPublica have asked Dr Brown about his participation in the experiment and he appeared to contradict Salazar's claims that it was "set up" by him.
He said he did not prescribe a controlled substance for Salazar's sons or other research subjects as part of an experiment.
"No, absolutely not," Brown said. "I didn't do that, and would not do that. I would never do that."
He said he was merely advising Salazar on how to conduct research on potential sabotage "in a hypothetical situation".
There were no emails provided to show that Salazar had alerted USADA to his testosterone experiment.
Both of Salazar's sons work with the Oregon Project.
Wada rule 2.6.2 stipulates that possession by an "athlete support person" of any prohibited substance or prohibited method is banned without a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) or other acceptable justification.
BBC Panorama and ProPublica published claims that testosterone gel was often carried by Salazar, and was seen by athletes and support staff around training venues.
Two masseurs, John Stiner and Al Kupscak, claimed Salazar had told them it was for his heart.
Salazar had suffered a serious cardiac arrest in 2007 and several cardiologists told the BBC and ProPublica that testosterone would rarely be prescribed for someone who had heart problems.
Salazar had no comment to make on this when the allegation was first made to him a month before transmission.
He denied telling anyone the gel was for his heart and produced a letter from Dr Kristina Harp, dated June 2015, who said he had been prescribed testosterone for hypogonadism (low testosterone) since 2005.
He provided an additional letter from a cardiologist who said the "benefits of preserving his energy levelâ€¦ outweighed the small risk of continued Androgel use".
Former Oregon Project star athlete Kara Goucher alleged that Salazar recommended she take the thyroid medication Cytomel that had not been prescribed for her - she was already prescribed a different thyroid hormone - in order to lose weight.
Goucher showed the BBC a pill bottle with the pharmaceutical label ripped off and the word "Cytomel" handwritten on it - written by Salazar, she said.
In his response, Salazar denied he was unhappy about her weight, and said he'd never given Goucher Cytomel to lose weight.
He said he did once give Goucher Cytomel, but had done so on the instructions of Goucher's doctor, Dr Brown, in August 2011.
For support, Salazar referred to an email from Dr Brown recommending that Salazar should give Cytomel to Goucher at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in August 2011, following a cortisone injection for an injury.
In response, Goucher and her husband Adam - also a former Oregon Project athlete - say their allegation refers to a completely separate incident, in March 2011 ahead of the Boston Marathon. This was six months after the birth of her child, and five months before Daegu.
Goucher said Salazar was conflating two different incidents, adding: "His story is a different timeline. He's trying to use Daegu to cover up Boston."
Allegations were made by the Gouchers that Salazar and Rupp had flouted anti-doping rules by trying to obtain medical exemptions for intravenous drips ahead of races.
IV saline drips are banned under Wada rules and are only permissible with a TUE, which are given to athletes to allow the use of banned drugs or methods when medically necessary.
The Gouchers said Salazar told them "they had it down" and that he had "coached" Rupp on what symptoms of dehydration to describe to a doctor in order to obtain a TUE.
They claimed attempts were made to obtain IV drips in 2007 and 2011.
Salazar and Rupp were presented with these allegations seven weeks ago, but did not respond to them until Wednesday, when Salazar said Rupp had never been awarded a TUE for an IV drip.
He added: "Kara Goucher's claim that someone can make a couple of statements to a doctor and get a TUE is absurd."
Salazar said he attempted to get an IV infusion for magnesium and B12 injections, but not an IV saline drip.
In an email published by Salazar, the US team doctor at the World Championships in Daegu 2011 said: "I do not recall you requesting an IV saline drip or other IV for Galen in Daegu."
Following Salazar's response, a former Nike employee spoke to ProPublica and the BBC, alleging that he too had heard Salazar attempting to obtain an IV infusion for Rupp.
"Galen was always 'dehydrated' right before a big race," he said.
He added that Salazar was "going crazy" when he was unable to obtain an IV for Rupp prior to a race in 2010.
In addition, a former member of the USA track and field medical staff also contacted ProPublica and the BBC and said Salazar became angry in 2008 when Rupp wasn't given an IV at the Beijing Olympics in hot and humid conditions.
Salazar details that Rupp only had two TUEs for asthma and allergies treatment since 2010. It is not clear how many TUEs Rupp had prior to 2010.
Magness was Salazar's former assistant coach, and the witness for whom Salazar reserved his deepest and most personal criticism.
Salazar said Magness was a "poor coach" who lacked personality and whom the top athletes would refuse to work with.
He also heavily suggested Magness was involved in an inappropriate relationship with an athlete.
"By early May 2012, I told Magness that I would not be renewing his contract for 2013," Salazar said.
However, Magness has provided a number of documents in response.
He produced an email from Salazar dated 7 May 2012 - a month before the official termination of his contract - in which Salazar told a colleague he had "complete confidence" in Magness to look after the team of athletes when on the road without him.
On this occasion, the squad included Salazar's prized athlete, Galen Rupp. Salazar added: "â€¦he'll [Magness] take care of all of them."
On 8 May 2012, Salazar wrote to Magness, approving the idea of him coaching Oregon Project runner Lindsay Allen
"Hi Steve, I just spoke with Lindsay and I think that's a great idea for you to take over her coachingâ€¦she needs to train with other top woman runners to fulfil her potential," he wrote.
Magness also says claims about an inappropriate relationship are false.
He said: "I did not have a relationship with any athlete during my time at the Nike Oregon Project.
"I began a relationship with the individual he is referring to in 2013, when both of us, as adults of similar age and with no rules against it, entered a private relationship, long after either of us had been a part of the Oregon Project.
"It's obvious this is being used after the fact to paint me as a bad employee."
Magness said there was no mention of an inappropriate relationship in his exit interview, which he secretly recorded.
He also provided his exit letter from Nike, signed by Stephen Vass, from Nike's legal team.
In the letter, Vass describes the contract termination as "mutual" and writes: "As discussed, both you and Nike have decided to terminate your Nike contract..."
Vass finishes: "Should an opportunity present itself to work together again in the future, Nike would welcome consideration of such opportunity."
Salazar cited a number of positive comments made about him by Goucher at the point of her departure from the Oregon Project as evidence that her allegations are false, and said her husband Adam was responsible for the breakdown of their relationship.
Goucher initially told the BBC she had been "fearful" about speaking negatively about her former coach.
"I think especially when I first left Alberto, when I was still with Nike, I was afraid to say anything bad," she said.
Adam Goucher said he found it "frustrating" that his wife used to say "we left him [Salazar] as friends and everything was great" when he knew that was not true.
On Thursday, Kara Goucher said: "Alberto's false statements and one-sided, partial stories don't tell the truth.
"Adam and I went to USADA in February 2013 when we had concerns about what we had experienced at the Oregon Project.
"When BBC and ProPublica approached us with the story, we felt that it was time to tell the truth."
Seven weeks ago, the BBC put to Salazar that he was coach to the US athlete Mary Decker Slaney when she tested positive for testosterone in 1996.
He did not respond to that allegation, but it became a bigger issue when UK Athletics (UKA) was asked what due diligence had been done before Great Britain's Mo Farah was cleared to join the Oregon Project, and also before UKA appointed Salazar as a consultant to its endurance programme in 2013.
In a heated press conference four days after the Panorama broadcast, Farah told the media he had specifically asked Salazar about Slaney before joining him in Oregon, and said Salazar had assured him he was not coaching Slaney at the time of her failed test.
UK Athletics performance director Neil Black said a thorough due diligence process had been completed.
However in the following days, the BBC produced a string of evidence strongly supporting claims that Salazar was indeed a coach of Slaney's when she tested positive.
The evidence included contemporaneous pictures and interviews with the pair training together.
Salazar's 12,000-word response made no mention of Mary Decker Slaney.
UKA has appointed a commission to investigate whether its and Farah's association with Salazar should continue, and has promised to report by August.
There is no suggestion that Farah himself has been involved in doping.
The BBC understands USADA is also investigating allegations that Salazar skirted anti-doping.


South Korean opposition lawmakers have ended a parliamentary filibuster that lasted 192 hours, which is believed to have set a new world record.

They were trying to block an anti-terrorism bill which they said threatened personal freedoms.
But they gave up on Wednesday fearing a public backlash, as the prolonged anti-terror proceedings were delaying the passing of other important bills.
The previous world record of 57 hours was set by a Canadian party in 2011.
The end of the filibuster in Seoul means that a bill backed by the ruling Saenuri Party, which holds the majority of seats in parliament, will be put to a vote and is likely to be passed.
The legislation allows intelligence services to collect a wide range of personal information - including phone records - on anyone deemed to pose a security risk. Opposition parties said it would violate privacy rights and could be used to stifle political dissent.
Filibustering is a parliamentary delaying tactic by which MPs drag out speeches to the end of the allocated time, so that no vote can be held.
South Korea's filibuster was spearheaded by main opposition party Minjoo which was joined by other smaller parties, and began last Tuesday, 23 February.
Their tactics included reading out lengthy academic articles in full as well as news articles and internet comments, staging elaborate and rambling monologues and even reading from George Orwell's novel 1984.
Some lawmakers were spotted wearing trainers, while others reportedly refrained from drinking water so that they could cut down on loo breaks. Still others were seen dozing off in their seats during the marathon session.
The longest speech made was by Jung Cheong-rae, who spoke for 11 hours 39 minutes.
They would have succeeded if they had managed to hold out until the end of the parliamentary session at midnight on 10 March.
But as the days wore on they faced increasing public criticism, as the filibuster was delaying the passage of bills on North Korean human rights and electoral districts for April's general election.
But President Park Geun-hye had argued such measures were necessary and condemned the filibuster as "nothing more than a dereliction of duty".
"The National Assembly is nearly paralysed at a time when people's lives and safety are exposed to terror threats," she said in a televised speech on Tuesday, according to Yonhap.
Filibustering around the world
How do you talk for 24 hours non-stop?


Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has sacked the country's chief prosecutor, Johannes Tomana, after a tribunal found him guilty of misconduct and incompetence.

Local media say he will now face trial for criminal abuse of office.
Mr Tomana was suspended back in February 2016.
His removal came after he dropped charges against two army officers accused of plotting to blow up a dairy belonging to Mr Mugabe's wife, Grace.
The two men were among four arrested outside the dairy farm, north of the capital, Harare.
They were found carrying ammonia and petrol bombs.
The men were initially charged with possession of weaponry for sabotage, and with money laundering for terrorism purposes. Charges of treason were added later.
The four were accused of hatching a plan to set up a militia base to the west of Harare, with the aim of unseating Mr Mugabe's government.
Mr Tomana was accused of obstructing the course of justice by releasing two of the suspects, which he denied.
In 2015, Mr Tomana was convicted of abuse of power after refusing to prosecute a lawmaker with Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party for raping a child at gunpoint.
He was threatened with 30 days in prison over the matter, but eventually agreed to act.
The legislator, Munyaradzi Kereke, was later convicted of rape and imprisoned.


Two portable cabins blown off a lorry on the westbound M8 in Glasgow have been removed from the carriageway.

The incident, near Hillington, happened soon after 10:00 in heavy rain and high winds.
It resulted in the carriageway being closed for a short time with traffic being diverted off and back on at the J26 slip roads.
Traffic Scotland said all lanes were now open but traffic was slow moving and drivers should expect delays.


Ireland gave Brian O'Driscoll the perfect send-off with a nerve-jangling victory over France in Paris that saw the visitors clinch the Six Nations title.

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Ireland needed to win in France for only the second time in 42 years to pip England, who also finished with four wins, on points difference.
Jonathan Sexton and Andrew Trimble scored tries for Ireland in the first half but Ireland trailed 13-12 at the break, Brice Dulin having crossed for the hosts.
After the restart Sexton and Dimitri Szarzewski exchanged tries, Jean-Marc Doussain missed a late penalty and Damien Chouly had a last-minute try disallowed for a forward pass.
It is only Ireland's second Six Nations title and the first since they won the Grand Slam in 2009. Defeat for France means they finish fourth in the table.
It was a fitting way for O'Driscoll, playing his 133rd Test for Ireland and 141st in total, to go out after 15 remarkable years at the top of the game.
O'Driscoll was given a rapturous welcome by the Stade de France crowd and it proved to be an emotional farewell for him and the travelling Irish faithful.
In between it was never likely to be easy for Ireland, whose last victory in Paris came in 2000, when O'Driscoll declared his greatness to the world with a stunning hat-trick of tries.
Scrum-half Maxime Machenaud, forming France's third different starting half-back pairing of this year's tournament alongside Remi Tales, kicked the first points of the game after Chris Henry was penalised for not releasing at the tackle.
France looked sharp in the opening exchanges, making Ireland play in their own half and competing with gusto at the breakdown.
Philippe Saint-Andre's side, who were given a fearful drubbing by the French media in the build-up, also seemed to have extra pep in their attack.
And when Mathieu Bastareaud ran over Gordon D'Arcy, France should have had their first try, but the giant centre threw a wild forward pass.
Ireland slowly chiselled their way into the game, Sexton working an opening with a cute inside pass to Dave Kearney, who made a half-break.
But when the winger became isolated attempting to run the ball from his own 22 and was penalised, Machenaud put boot to ball to double France's lead.
O'Driscoll received treatment after tackling marauding French hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, but the French front row were also being given headaches by their Irish counterparts and the first two scrums ended in penalties for the visitors.
The second of those penalties led to the first try of the match, Henry finding Sexton with a back-of-the-hand pass from the base of the scrum and Ireland's fly-half scurrying over from five metres out. Sexton missed the conversion.
Ireland did not have to wait long for their second try. Scrum-half Conor Murray broke through a couple of weak French tackles and having found Trimble inside him, the Ulster wing galloped over unopposed.
This time Sexton added the extras, but France hit back almost immediately.
Having had several darts at the Irish line off the back of a line-out drive, Tales kicked diagonally and Yoann Huget tapped the ball back brilliantly for full-back Dulin to score in the corner.
(provided by Opta)
Machenaud's conversion gave the hosts the lead again but Ireland should have led at the break, Sexton missing a relatively straight-forward penalty kick on the stroke of half-time after Thomas Domingo infringed at the breakdown.
France looked better for the rest at the start of the second half, the recalled Louis Picamoles blowing a hole in the Irish defence with one carry. But when another French attack faltered shortly after, Ireland hit them hard on the counter.
Trimble found O'Driscoll outside him and for a second it looked like the Irish legend might go out with a try, but he was brought down just short of the line. But the French defence was slow to reorganise and Sexton scampered over for his second try of the game. And this time, he made the conversion count.
Sexton increased Ireland's lead to nine points with a penalty, France having infringed at a maul, only for Szarzewski to score at the base of the posts after a prolonged period of pressure by the hosts and set up a thrilling finale. The plot became thicker when replays suggested Szarzewski had knocked the ball on.
Bastareaud, who had a mighty game with ball in hand, delivered Sexton a knockout blow after 68 minutes, meaning Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt had to throw the inexperienced Ian Madigan into the game.
Replacement scrum-half Doussain had a chance to nick the lead for France with 10 minutes remaining but pulled his fairly simple penalty effort wide of the uprights.
And France should have stolen the win with a minute remaining but Vincent Debaty's final pass to Chouly, who was in acres of the space on the right wing, was correctly adjudged to have gone forward by the video referee.
It was a monumental defensive performance by Ireland and proof that Schmidt's ageing outfit still has plenty to offer and could be a factor at next year's World Cup - albeit without the iconic O'Driscoll among their ranks.
France: Dulin; Huget, Bastareaud, Fickou, Medard; Tales, Machenaud; Domingo, Szarzewski, Mas, Pape, Maestri, Picamoles, Lapandry, Chouly.
Replacements: Mermoz for Fickou (75), Doussain for Machenaud (66), Debaty for Domingo (41), Guirado for Szarzewski (68), Slimani for Mas, Flanquart for Maestri (53), Vahaamahina for Picamoles (66), Lauret for Lapandry (75).
Ireland: R Kearney; Trimble, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, D Kearney; Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, Toner, O'Connell, O'Mahony, Henry, Heaslip.
Replacements: McFadden for D'Arcy (66), Madigan for Sexton (68), Reddan for Murray (63), McGrath for Healy (70), Cronin for Best (70), Moore for Ross (63), Henderson for O'Mahony (63).
Not Used: Murphy.
Att: 80,000
Ref: Steve Walsh (Australia).


Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders have shaken up the US presidential race with decisive victories in the New Hampshire primary.

Billionaire Mr Trump is likely to get more than twice the number of votes of the next Republican candidate.
Senator Bernie Sanders, who beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by a huge margin, said his victory showed people wanted "real change".
Both candidates are riding on a wave of discontent with mainstream politics.
The aim of the primary race is to choose which candidates will represent the Republican and Democratic parties in November's presidential election.
On Tuesday Ohio Governor John Kasich came second in the Republican vote, with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Florida Senator Marco Rubio all vying for third place.
New Hampshire is the second state to choose delegates in the long nomination battle following last week's Iowa caucuses, which were won by Mr Cruz for the Republicans and Mrs Clinton for the Democrats.
The result gives momentum to the winners ahead of the next contests in South Carolina and Nevada.
Live results as they are come in
Latest news and reaction from New Hampshire
How primaries and caucuses work
How the US elects its president
Mr Trump's lead in New Hampshire is the first time the New York businessman - who has never held political office - has translated his widespread support in opinion polls into an election victory.
In his victory speech, the real estate mogul congratulated Democratic winner Mr Sanders but sideswiped that "he wants to give away our country, folks!"
Mr Trump, 69, has pledged to deport millions of migrants who are living in the US illegally; build a wall along the border with Mexico; and impose a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the country.
More from the Republican candidates:
With close to 90% of the votes counted, Senator Sanders has a lead of more than 20 percentage points over Mrs Clinton in the two-horse race for the Democratic nomination.
He had topped polls in New Hampshire in recent months, but Tuesday's outcome is seen as a significant victory for the self-described Democratic socialist candidate.
"What the people here have said is that given the enormous crises facing our country, it is just too late for the same old, same old establishment politics and establishment economics," Mr Sanders told cheering supporters.
The 74-year-old has vowed to eradicate income inequality, provide free university education and break up big banks.
Mrs Clinton congratulated Mr Sanders, but said in a speech she would continue to fight for every vote in the campaign. Despite the setback, she still remains the frontrunner for the nomination.
Mrs Clinton's campaign manager, Robby Mook, said in a memo that they expected the race for the Democratic nomination "very likely" to be decided in March.
The former secretary of state acknowledged before the polls that Mr Sanders had a natural advantage in New Hampshire because he represents the neighbouring state of Vermont as senator.
Mrs Clinton, who has more support from the Democratic establishment, narrowly won in Iowa.
Donald Trump is back, and Bernie Sanders is booming. That is the clear takeaway from a New Hampshire primary night that ended with little drama at the top. Both the New York billionaire and the Democrat who derides the billionaire class appear poised to confirm their consistently large opinion poll leads here with double-digit wins.
For the past few weeks the drama on the Republican side has been the identity of the candidate who will finish second - and perhaps become the establishment candidate to take on Mr Trump and Iowa caucuses winner Ted Cruz.
For a while it looked as though that man would be Florida Senator Marco Rubio, but he seems destined for a middle-of-the-pack finish after a flop in Saturday's debate. Instead it could be John Kasich. But the Ohio governor has little in the way of campaign infrastructure set up in the southern states that vote next in the primary process.
Tuesday's results are likely to lend little clarity to the question of who gets the backing of mainstream Republicans. That is good news for Mr Cruz and Mr Trump, who will benefit from a fractured establishment field for at least a while longer.
Winner and losers from New Hampshire
It was "a runaway for Trump", according to the New Hampshire Union Leader. "Trump's loudmouthed, anti-establishment candidacy struck a nerve with the nation's first primary voters," it added.
The New York Daily News' front page again showed Mr Trump dressed as a clown, this time under the headline 'Dawn of the Brain Dead'.
The left-leaning Huffington Post website called Mr Sanders and Mr Trump's win "a double victory for populism", but on its front page said the latter's victory meant "New Hampshire voters endorse sexism, bigotry and xenophobia."
Mr Sanders' success "amounted to a powerful and painful rejection of Hillary Clinton", the New York Times said. "The success by two outsider candidates dealt a remarkable rebuke to the political establishment," it said.
The Columbus Dispatch, in John Kasich's state of Ohio, said he had "vaulted into the top tier" of Republican candidates, but added he "must immediately compete in political terrain decidedly less friendly to his relatively moderate, work-with-the-other-side approach".
20 February - South Carolina primary (Republican); Nevada caucus (Democrat)
23 February - Nevada caucus (R)
27 February - South Carolina primary (D)
1 March - 'Super Tuesday' - 15 states or territories decide
18-21 July - Republican convention, nominee picked
25-28 July - Democratic convention, nominee picked
8 November - US presidential elections
In depth: Primary calendar


A man threw acid in a beautician's face because he feared for his life, family and girlfriend, a court has heard.

Adele Bellis, then 22, lost an ear, is now partially bald and was left with "life-changing" permanent scarring.
The attack, at a bus stop in Lowestoft, Suffolk, on 14 August 2014, was ordered by her ex-boyfriend Anthony Riley, 27, Ipswich Crown Court was told.
Jason Harrison, 39, from Lowestoft, admits the attack and said Mr Riley promised to reduce a drugs debt.
Mr Riley, of Raglan Street, Lowestoft, denies false imprisonment, conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid and conspiracy to cause GBH with intent.
Harrison claims a "jealous" Mr Riley recruited him as part of a campaign to "humiliate and control" his partner of nearly seven years.
But he had been reluctant to go through with the attack until Mr Riley threatened to harm him, his girlfriend and family, he said.
He owed Mr Riley Â£10,000 and would be let off some of it if he carried out the attack, he said.
Mr Riley told him where she lived and gave him Â£500 and a coffee jar containing sulphuric acid, the jury was told.
He aborted two attacks causing Mr Riley to punch him and put a knife in his mouth, Mr Harrison said.
"I didn't want to do this attack. I'm not a violent person," he said.
Prosecutor Andrew Jackson had earlier told the court Mr Riley arranged for co-defendant Leon Thompson, 39, to stab Miss Bellis in the face and posted a revenge porn sex video on Facebook.
Mr Thompson, 39, of Alma Road, Lowestoft, denies wounding with intent, having a knife in public, conspiracy to apply a corrosive liquid and conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
The trial continues


A theatre celebrating its 150th anniversary has released dozens of historic pantomime posters.

Nottingham's Theatre Royal opened in 1865, and held its first panto - The House that Jack Built - the same year.
The annual event continued almost uninterrupted, even through world wars, attracting a wide range of stars.
Headline names have included George Formby, Tony Hancock, Danny La Rue, Leslie Crowther, Orville and, recently, David Hasselhoff and Su Pollard.
The opening show at the theatre was the 18th Century play The School for Scandal, but after the final curtain manager Walter Montgomery promised weighty dramas and lighter entertainment.
"As an earnest expression of our efforts we begin with Sheridan - Shakespeare will soon follow. Nor whilst providing the solids of the banquet shall we neglect the trifle," he said.
"The gay burlesque and the witty farce soon follow and to these in due season King Pantomime will succeed."
Over the years, the theatre has put on classics such as Cinderella, Peter Pan, Aladdin, Dick Whittington, Babes in the Wood and much more.
Previous panto performers have lined up to wish the venue a happy birthday.
David Hasselhoff said: "I have fond memories of the Theatre Royal Nottingham because of the culture of the city and the legend of Robin Hood, but also the mystery and elegance of the theatre.
"You could feel the presence of the actors and audiences that have spanned the past 150 years. It is an amazing theatre"
And comedian Brian Conley said: "I have very fond memories of performing in one of my first pantomimes with Little & Large many years ago and then to come back and star in my own pantomime was such an honour.
"It is such a beautiful theatre, wonderful for comedy and a great place that brings the whole community together."


Indian takeaway owner Mohammed Zaman, who has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a customer with a nut allergy, was still selling "nut-free" curries containing peanuts on the day after the tragedy, trading standards officers have said.

Paul Wilson, 38, died after ordering a chicken tikka masala from the Indian Garden restaurant, in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, on 30 January 2014.
The father-of-one suffered a severe anaphylactic shock after eating a small amount of curry despite his order clearly stating "no nuts".
The next day a trading standards investigator went to the premises and asked for a nut free meal.
Tests revealed that meal contained a "sizeable amount" of ground peanuts comparable to the levels found in Mr Wilson's lethal curry.
Police said this was one of a string of examples of Zaman's "blatant disregard for public safety" and his interest in putting profit before customers.
Teesside Crown Court heard the 52-year-old, of Aylesham Court, Huntington, was almost Â£300,000 in debt and employed illegal workers in his takeaway. He had been substituting the thickening agent almond powder with ground nut mix, which contained peanuts, as a way of cutting costs.
Despite warnings from his supplier of the risk to allergic customers, Zaman, who owns six restaurants, continued to flout advice and use the less costly ingredient without warning people.
Less than a month before Mr Wilson's death, student Ruby Scott suffered a similar allergic reaction after eating what was supposed to be a nut free chicken korma from another of Zaman's restaurants in the town.
After eating a spoonful of the meal, the 17-year-old's face and throat became swollen and she was covered in hives. She was saved after being taken to hospital and treated with steroids.
Her mother said when she challenged restaurant staff at the Jaipur Spice restaurant, they denied using peanuts and said their curries only contained almonds.
An investigation was started by trading standards and - one week before Mr Wilson died - an officer found potentially deadly amounts of peanuts in a supposedly peanut free meal at the restaurant. Officers then warned Zaman about the dangers.
Trading standards officer Rob Blacklock said: "They were just totally slack about what they were doing in the business because I guess they thought nothing like that would ever happen.
"If you go to a restaurant, you don't expect to die from eating a meal. It's important owners have the right procedures, buy the right ingredients and employ the right staff to make up the meals."
Police said that Zaman's actions of "cutting corners" meant that Mr Wilson, a pub manager and chef, died despite being meticulous in protecting himself from his nut allergy.
He was diagnosed with the condition aged seven, having had a severe reaction after eating a chocolate bar containing nuts. Throughout his life he had avoided all nuts as a matter of course.
His father Keith Wilson said: "He would not have peanuts anywhere near him. If he went out for a drink and there were peanuts on the bar he'd ask them to be moved or he'd move away because his lips would start swelling."
The family recalled the last conversation with their son, just hours before he was found dead in the bathroom of his home in Helperby, North Yorkshire.
Mrs Wilson said: "His last words were I love you both and I'll talk tomorrow."
Det Insp Shaun Page, from North Yorkshire Police, said Zaman's lack of remorse throughout the case had been striking.
"He had no regard for customer safety. What came first was his back pocket and profit. He did everything he could to save money and Paul paid the ultimate price for that."


Bethany Firth secured a second gold medal at the Rio Paralympics by winning the S14 200m freestyle final in a new Games record time on Sunday night.

The Northern Irish woman clocked 2:03.30 to finish ahead of Great Britain team-mate Jessica-Jane Applegate and Marlou Van Der Kulk.
Firth, 20, also won gold in the 100m backstroke on Thursday.
The Seaforde swimmer will try to add to her medal haul in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley events.
Firth came in 3.62 seconds ahead of defending champion Applegate, with Dutch competitor Van der Kulk a further 3.28 seconds behind in the bronze medal position.
The County Down woman had set a time of 2:05.96 in winning her heat earlier in the day, short of her personal best for the 200m freestyle of 2:02.07.
"I'm so thankful it all came together. I wasn't feeling well this morning but Team GB got me up and going again," said Firth after clinching her second gold medal of the Games.
Firth improved her own S14 100m backstroke world record twice on Thursday as she retained that title.
As a 16-year-old, Firth clinched the 100m backstroke gold for Ireland in London and went on to win three silver medals at the IPC World Championships in Montreal a year later before opting to switch allegiance to Great Britain.
She subsequently had to sit out the 2015 World Championship after suffering a wrist injury.
The Northern Irishwoman competes in the S14 classes, for competitors with an intellectual disability, and she raced in eight events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.


Theresa May has criticised those who believe a so-called "hard Brexit" is inevitable after the UK leaves the EU.

The prime minister said she wanted the UK to "operate within" the single market as part of a new relationship.
Speaking in London, she vowed to build a "shared society" in which wealth and opportunity were not the preserve of an elite, and injustices were tackled.
She said that Brexit provided an "opportunity to fundamentally change Britain for the better".
Outlining her social reform agenda in her most significant policy speech for three months, Mrs May announced steps to improve mental health provision in the UK and transform attitudes to people suffering from mental health conditions.
She announced extra training for teachers, more online self-checking for those with concerns and a review of services for children and teenagers.
This approach, she said, was part of her wider belief in a "shared society" where the state intervenes to correct social and economic injustices.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, she was pressed on market reaction to comments she made on Sunday when she suggested the UK could not be expected to "keep bits" of its existing EU membership. The pound fell to a two-month low against major currencies on Monday, losing about 1% of its value.
Analysis by Laura Kuenssberg, BBC political editor
After a while, every political leader finds themselves in need of a slogan, and it's certainly not the worst that's ever been dreamed up.
Theresa May wants you to see her and her party as the sensible middle, on the side of ordinary families, not veering away from the centre ground.
It's about as clear an appeal to Middle England, where elections are traditionally won, as you can find. But while she gave today the skeleton of a philosophy, there was not a fully fleshed-out body of policy to accompany it.
Read Laura's full analysis
She dismissed claims her comments signalled a preference for a "hard Brexit" - where the UK would face potential restrictions on trade access and tariffs on exports and imports - to the alternative "soft Brexit" scenario where the UK remained in the single market but would not have full control over migration.
"I'm tempted to say that the people who are getting it wrong are those who print things saying 'I'm talking about a hard Brexit, (that) it is absolutely inevitable there's a hard Brexit'," she said.
"I don't accept the terms hard and soft Brexit. What we're doing is going to get an ambitious, good and best possible deal for the United Kingdom in terms of... trading with and operating within the single European market."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel later reiterated that access to the single market would be "limited" unless the UK accepted the continued free movement of people from the EU. In response, Downing Street insisted that discussions over immigration and trade were not a "zero-sum game".
Expanding on her domestic priorities, Mrs May pledged to help those on low and modest incomes who felt bypassed and threatened by globalisation, a group of people who were "just about managing" and whose interests had often been neglected by governments over the past 20 years.
In what will be seen as break from her predecessor David Cameron, she said she backed a "strong and strategic" state which could intervene effectively to tackle deep-seated social problems such as educational underachievement and health disparities among certain groups.
"The central tenet of my belief - the thing that shapes my approach - is that there is more to life than individualism and self-interest," she said.
"This means a government rooted not in the laissez-faire liberalism that leaves people to get by on their own, but rather in a new philosophy that means government stepping up.
"Not just in the traditional way of providing a welfare state to support the most vulnerable, as vital as that will always be. But actually in going further to help those who have been ignored by government for too long because they don't fall into the income bracket that makes them qualify for welfare support."
She said the 2008 banking crash, the 2009 MPs' expenses scandal and the 2011 newspaper phone hacking revelations had led people to question the "legitimacy" of institutions and conclude there "is one rule for the rich and powerful and another for everyone else".
If parties such as the Conservatives did not address such concerns, as well as fears over growing levels of inequality and uncontrolled immigration, she warned that groups on the "fringes" of the political spectrum would benefit.
"We know what happens when mainstream, centre-ground politics fails," she said. "People embrace the fringe - the politics of division and despair. They turn to those who offer easy answers - who claim to understand people's problems and always know what - and who - to blame.
"We see those fringe voices gaining prominence in some countries across Europe today - voices from the hard-left and the far-right stepping forward and sensing that this is their time."
"But they stand on the shoulders of mainstream politicians who have allowed unfairness and division to grow by ignoring the legitimate concerns of ordinary people for too long."
Labour's shadow minister Andrew Gywnne said it would "take more than a speech and a slogan for Theresa May to convince people that she wants to tackle division in society". Under the Conservatives, he said, "those at the top have been given tax breaks while everyone else suffers".
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said Mrs May's "pitch to the centre ground" would not work because "her words are not matched by her actions".


Fishermen have won a partial Supreme Court victory to allow them to gather shellfish in an area of The Wash, following a nine-year dispute.

The case arose when 13 vessels from King's Lynn allegedly trespassed into a private fishery to gather cockles off the Norfolk coast in 2007.
They argued the sandbanks in question had not become part of the fishery.
The Supreme Court ruled in their favour but dismissed their argument over another boundary in the area.
The judgement overturns previous rulings by the High Court and Court of Appeal that the silting-up of channels meant the sandbanks were now connected, at low tide, to a fishery leased by John Loose.
He claimed his rights had been infringed by the appellants, named in the judgement as Lynn Shellfish Ltd and Others.
The ruling said the estate's right to fish did not extend to the sandbanks, which attach to the foreshore, as and when they become attached.
Evidence seen by the courts included charts and maps, some dating back to 1588.
The courts also heard the public had exercised its right to gather shellfish at the sandbanks for centuries.
Lord Neuberger, sitting with four other law lords, said they dismissed the fishermen's appeal relating to the seaward, western boundary of the area.
He added the case could return to the High Court for a precise area to be mapped out if the two parties could not agree on a defined zone for fishing.


An inquest into an IRA massacre of 10 Protestant workers has been delayed because there is no coroner to hear it.

Republicans ambushed a mini-bus carrying the men at Kingsmill in County Armagh in 1976 and murdered them after checking what religion they were.
Senior coroner John Leckey is retiring this year and told a preliminary hearing of the inquest in Belfast that no replacement has been appointed.
His retirement could leave only one coroner in Northern Ireland.
Kingsmill is among dozens of inquests dating from the early days of the Troubles that face delay because not enough money is available to investigate or there is nobody to oversee fresh hearings.
Mr Leckey said: "I feel for the bereaved families, not exclusively Kingsmill but for other inquests I am involved in.
"It is a disappointment that is widespread."
A lawyer for some of the Kingsmill victims' families said they would be pressing Stormont's justice department for more resources to allow an inquest to go ahead.
Karen Armstrong, a sister of one of the murdered men, said the lack of resources was "a political problem".
"We are not going to lie down and accept it," she said.
"We will fight until we get another date and they have to make sure there are enough coroners in Northern Ireland to deal with our and many other cases."
Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy said he would be asking Justice Minister David Ford to ensure the matter was referred to the relevant authorities so that "action can be taken as soon as possible".
"Justice has been denied for almost 40 years and it is totally unacceptable that this inquest should be delayed further due to the unavailability of a coroner," he said.
"This was one of the most shocking and cruel events of the Troubles and the inquest must be treated with the seriousness this crime merits."
A Department of Justice spokesman said: "Officials are actively working to ensure that all necessary resources are provided for the conduct of inquests in Northern Ireland.
"There are currently three full-time coroners in Northern Ireland. In addition, one High Court judge and one County Court judge have also been appointed as coroners."


For many Berliners, the one word most associated with their city is "freedom".

The freedom to be who you want, live how you want, and love who you want.
So when Berlin Mayor Michael Mueller called this tragedy an "attack on our freedom", he meant an attack on the essential character of this city.
Which is why so many people here say they refuse to be cowed by terror - even though there is certainly reason to be nervous.
The attacker is still on the run, is potentially dangerous, and possibly armed. The prime suspect is Anis Amri, a 24-year-old Tunisian citizen, who came to Germany in July 2015 as an asylum seeker.
Within a year, his application for asylum had been rejected - but he was still granted temporary permission to stay.
If he turns out to be responsible for the attack, Germany's authorities will be asked: why wasn't he deported?
There are in fact many legal reasons why it can be impossible to deport someone whose application for asylum has been rejected - such as having no documents or if the country of origin refuses to take him back.
In Amri's case, German officials say Tunisia would not accept that he was one of its citizens.
About 160,000 people in Germany have similar status.
Anti-migrant campaigners want them deported. Pro-refugee groups say they live in limbo - often unable to work, and with only temporary residence rights, they have little prospect of integrating.
Either way, it was already a controversial issue. Now it's likely to turn into a major political headache for the government.
The other big question is security.
Berliners' love of freedom can also mean freedom from state surveillance. That is why CCTV cameras, allowed in other parts of Germany, are banned in public spaces in Berlin.
Because of the attacks, the government is now pushing through new legislation to allow more security cameras.
More police officers will also be employed and there are controversial proposals to boost the role of the army domestically.
But it is Chancellor Angela Merkel who is most under the most pressure. She is associated with a pro-refugee stance more than any other European politician.
It is a mistake to say she has an open-door policy to migration. She negotiated the EU deal on returning migrants from Greece to Turkey, much criticised by refugee groups, that has drastically reduced migrant numbers.
And to keep migrants out, Mrs Merkel has suspended the free border regime between Austria and Germany. Her government is also pushing through new laws to curb benefits for EU migrants.
In reality, she has struck a relatively centrist position, standing by her conviction that Germany has a humanitarian duty to help legitimate refugees - in line with mainstream opinion in Germany.
But that means she has become a hate figure for the insurgent populist anti-migrant party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
Mrs Merkel and the AfD have become sworn political enemies. She accuses them of whipping up hatred and dividing society. They stage rallies with posters portraying her with blood on her hands. Those are the two poles dividing German society.
The refugee question is an issue that polarises the country in the same way that Brexit does in Britain or gun control does in the US.
So far, the attack on the Christmas market seems to be making that political gulf wider, rather than suddenly creating a shift in public opinion.
Berlin has been through a lot over the past century, including destruction, division and dictatorships. So Berliners are a tough breed. And they are certainly not going to let themselves be intimidated.


Hearts have signed former Dundee United midfielder Danny Swanson until the end of the season after a successful trial.

"Danny will add value to the squad. He's a really experienced player," said Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson.
"He's a winner and brings a lot of ability to the squad."
The 28-year-old was on loan from Coventry City at St Johnstone for four months last season. He won the Scottish Cup with Dundee United and left there to join Peterborough in June 2012.
Swanson joined Coventry two years later on a free transfer and made 18 appearances for the Sky Blues.
"He's impressed in training but I also knew him from Dundee United, when I was a player there," added the Tynecastle head coach.
"I know what he brings to the team. I know he's got great technique and ability and he'll be a good addition to the squad.
"He predominantly plays in a more central area of the pitch now. He gives great through balls and passes in that area, which is where we're a little bit light at the moment."


Commonwealth Games gold medallist Libby Clegg has lost her funding from UK Athletics after pulling out of the recent IPC World Championships.

The 25-year-old visually-impaired sprinter was not selected for the 2015-16 world class performance programme.
Anguilla-born sprinter Zharnel Hughes, who had his GB eligibility confirmed in June, was granted full funding.
Scottish steeplechaser Eilish McColgan said it is "no wonder athletes cheat" after her own funding was cut.
Clegg pulled out of the IPC World Championships in Doha last month after injuring her foot during a warm-up, having also been forced out of last year's European Championships through illness.
Fellow Scot McColgan, 24, has endured a similarly tough year, missing the entire 2015 season after breaking her ankle in January.
Selection for UK Athletics' world class performance programme (WCPP) is based on an athlete's potential to win Olympic or Paralympic medals and funded by the National Lottery through UK Sport.
The WCPP is split into two levels for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes:
Sprinter Dina Asher-Smith has been rewarded for her breakthrough 2015 season by receiving full funding for the first time.
The 19-year-old finished fifth in the 200m at the World Championships in Beijing in August, one month after she also became the first British woman to run under 11 seconds in the 100m.
Former 400m hurdles world champion Dai Greene, who failed to qualify for Beijing, is one of 21 athletes chosen for the Olympic podium programme.
He is joined by London 2012 gold medallists Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford.
Hughes, 20, was born in the British overseas territory of Anguilla but opted to compete for Great Britain with his home country not recognised by the International Olympic Committee.
The highly-rated sprinter receives full funding at the first attempt, having won the Lausanne Diamond league 200m race in July.
Paralympic gold medallists Richard Whitehead and Jonnie Peacock are on a list of 25 Paralympic athletes receiving podium funding, with world championship medallists Georgie Hermitage, Kadeena Cox, Dan Bramall, Toby Gold and Abbie Hunnisett also included for the first time.
Alongside Clegg and McColgan, middle-distance runner Hannah England and 110m hurdler Lawrence Clarke lost their Olympic level funding.
Perri Shakes-Drayton, a former European indoor 400m gold medallist, and European 100m champion James Dasaolu also saw their support cut back from the Olympic level to the relay programmes.
Six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir is not included after opting out of the funding system last year.
Former 3,000m steeplechase British champion McColgan revealed UK Athletics' decision on social media prior to the official announcement, adding "My current financial status..." above an image of chocolate coins.
Scottish 800m runner Lynsey Sharp was also critical of the governing body despite making the podium programme, saying she had received "no email" to confirm her selection.
Podium
Olympic (21)
Dina Asher-Smith, Holly Bradshaw, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mohamed Farah, Adam Gemili, Robbie Grabarz, Dai Greene, Sophie Hitchon, Zharnel Hughes, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Laura Muir, Christine Ohuruogu, Andrew Osagie, Tiffany Porter, Andy Pozzi, Shara Proctor, Greg Rutherford, William Sharman, Lynsey Sharp, Lorraine Ugen, Laura Weightman
Paralympic (25)
Hollie Arnold, Paul Blake, Daniel Bramall, Jonathan Broom-Edwards, Mickey Bushell, Joanna Butterfield, Hannah Cockroft, Kadeena Cox, Aled Davies, Kyron Duke, Toby Gold, Dan Greaves, Sophie Hahn, Georgina Hermitage, Abbie Hunnisett, Sophie Kamlish, Maria Lyle, Dean Miller, Stephen Miller, Stephen Osborne, Melissa Nicholls, Jonnie Peacock, Stefanie Reid, Richard Whitehead, Bethany Woodward
Podium potential
Olympic (29)
Kate Avery, Chris Baker, Meghan Beesley, Tom Bosworth, Dan Bramble, Lucy Bryan, Ashley Bryant, Mark Dry, Tom Farrell, Niall Flannery, Emelia Gorecka, Charlie Grice, Adam Hague, Lucy Hatton, Jessica Judd, Chris Kandu, Morgan Lake, Kyle Langford, Nick Miller, Chris O'Hare, David Omoregie, Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, Isobel Pooley, Shona Richards, Jazmin Sawyers, Allan Smith, David Smith, Serita Solomon, Jake Wightman
Paralympic (27)
Kare Adenegan, Joshua Bain, Samantha Bowen, Shaun Burrows, Richard Chiassaro, Sabrina Fortune, Kylie Grimes, Claire Harvey, David Henson, Jordan Howe, Moatez Jomni, Jade Jones, Rhys Jones, Samantha Kinghorn, Simon Lawson, Polly Maton, Erin McBride, Holly Neill, Georgina Oliver, Derek Rae, Ben Rowlings, Sam Ruddock, Zachary Shaw, Will Smith, Laura Sugar, Isaac Towers, Bradley Wigley
Relay squads
Olympic
Men's 4x100m (7)
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, James Dasaolu, Ojie Edoburun, James Ellington, Richard Kilty, Danny Talbot, Chijindu Ujah
Plus individually funded athletes:
Adam Gemili, Zharnel Hughes
Men's 4x400m (7)
Jarryd Dunn, Jack Green, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Martyn Rooney, Conrad Williams, Delano Williams, Rabah Yousif
Women's 4x100m (8)
Louise Bloor, Desiree Henry, Shannon Hylton, Daryll Neita, Ashleigh Nelson, Asha Philip, Bianca Williams, Jodie Williams
Plus individually funded athletes:
Dina Asher-Smith
Women's 4x400m (8)
Margaret Adeoye, Seren Bundy-Davies, Eilidh Child, Kelly Massey, Kirsten McAslan, Laviai Nielsen, Anyika Onuora, Perri Shakes-Drayton
Plus individually funded athletes:
Christine Ohuruogu
Paralympic (1)
Olivia Breen


Glamorgan return to action for their second pre-season outing as they face Gloucestershire at the SSE Swalec.

Glammy name an unchanged 12-man squad from last week's rain-affected game at Taunton for the 50-over friendly.
Captain Jacques Rudolph is expected to partner Nick Selman again at the top of the order in a squad dominated by eight young Welsh players.
Owen Morgan features after he hit 37 against Somerset on Friday, while Chris Cooke continues with the gloves.
Glamorgan open their county championship campaign at Northamptonshire on 7 April.
Glamorgan: Jacques Rudolph (capt), Nick Selman, David Lloyd, Kiran Carlson, Chris Cooke, Aneurin Donald,  Craig Meschede, Owen Morgan, Andrew Salter, Lukas Carey, Ruaidhri Smith, Jack Murphy.


Ferrari say they could consider their future in Formula 1 if the rules change in ways they do not like.

President Sergio Marchionne said quitting was "possible but very, very unlikely", adding: "Ferrari would find other ways to express its ability to race and to win.
"Ferrari cannot be put in a corner on its knees and say nothing."
The warning comes as F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is pushing for the sport to switch to cheaper, simpler engines.
Marchionne's remarks are the latest development in an ongoing power struggle in F1 between the road-car manufacturers on one side and Ecclestone and Jean Todt, president of governing body the FIA, on the other.
The manufacturers succeeded last month in killing off a plan by Todt and Ecclestone to introduce a cheaper alternative engine that would race alongside the turbo hybrids.
That followed the use of Ferrari's contractual right of veto in October to block a move by Todt to force a cap on the price at which engines are sold to customer teams.
But the manufacturers have been forced into agreeing to look into ways of changing the engines - making them simpler and cheaper, guaranteeing their availability and making them noisier.
Ferrari have also protested against the decision by the FIA to grant Ecclestone and Todt a mandate "to make recommendations and decisions regarding a number of pressing issues in F1".
Ferrari have written to the FIA expressing their view that it has no right to grant Ecclestone and Todt this power and that the rule-making procedure must be followed.
Marchionne said: "It's a choice that we obviously do not share, because we believe that the development of the regulations should be done in a coordinated manner.
"This view is also shared by Mercedes and Renault. Here we spend hundreds of millions of Euros, so we are talking about decisions that should not be taken lightly.
"The problem is that in trying to create a power-unit that is more affordable for smaller teams, we are in a way taking away from those organisations that are able to develop. And that is the reason why we go racing.
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"We go to the track to prove to ourselves and to everyone our ability to manage the power unit. If we begin to undermine this advantage, Ferrari has no intention of racing."
He said simplifying the technology in F1 in the manner of the popular US-based Nascar stock-car racing series would mean the car manufacturers "would lose the advantage of experience in track solutions, which can then have an impact on production".
He said he "understood very well" the precarious financial situation of some of the smaller teams, but added: "This is something that FOM (Ecclestone's commercial rights company) has to solve; it is not something Ferrari has to solve."
Marchionne also described Ecclestone's frequent proposals to return to the V8 naturally aspirated engines used until 2013 as "an insult".
He said: "The climate summit in Paris has shown all of us where the path leads. We cannot ignore a technology that is relevant to production vehicles.
"In five to 10 years, the majority of all vehicles will be equipped on the road with hybrid technology."
Marchionne said he had blocked the plan to limit the price of customer engines because it meant an outside body interfering in Ferrari's business plan.
"We used [the veto] recently because the proposal was out of place," Marchionne said.
"The problem of this sport is that the regulator cannot impose conditions on the economic management of the team.
"When we are told that we must make the engine and then sell it for two pounds, from the economic point of view this argument does not stand - because it is going to change the dynamic business that we are managing.
"The economic conditions by which the Ferrari engine is provided to a customer cannot be established by the F1 Commission."
Marchionne also described as "offensive" the idea that Ferrari should be under an obligation to supply Red Bull with its best engines.
Red Bull fell out with engine partner Renault but has been forced to continue with the French company after failing to secure a supply from Mercedes, Honda and Ferrari.
Red Bull and Ferrari failed to reach an agreement because the drinks giant insisted on having the same specification of engine as the works team.
Marchionne said: "Red Bull is an incomplete team. Because if you have an excellent chassis, but you lack the engine, then you are not complete.
"Without the power unit you can have a great chassis, but you will not become world champion: you will remain in the garage. So you have to do a deal with a manufacturer.
"But what I find really offensive in this whole affair was the claim that someone had to give them an engine to strengthen what is already a very competitive position for them."


Every community that suffered losses in the Iolaire disaster nearly 100 years ago could have a sculpture remembering the 205 men who died.

The yacht Iolaire was wrecked on a reef called the Beasts of Holm just off the Isle of Lewis in the early hours of 1 January 1919.
The boat was carrying home hundreds of sailors after the end of World War One.
The memorials are planned as part of events commemorating the centenary of the tragedy.
A number of communities in the Western Isles that were affected by the disaster have requested a memorial.
Most of those who died were from Lewis or Harris.
Organisers said the sculptures would be modelled on one planned for Stornoway on Lewis.
That memorial would act as a marker and have information boards about loss of the Iolaire and directions to the memorial site overlooking where the yacht was wrecked.
The last survivor of the Iolaire - which means "eagle" in Gaelic - died in 1992.
The yacht set sail from Kyle of Lochalsh on the west Highlands mainland on New Year's Eve 1918.
Making its final approach into Stornoway harbour on a dark night and in a strong gale, it changed course at the wrong point.
With the lights of the harbour in sight, the ship struck rocks at full speed and immediately began to tilt, filling up with water.
Although the stern of the boat was at one point just six metres (20ft) from land, many of the men onboard were weighed down by their heavy uniforms and were unable to swim ashore.
The next morning the bodies that had been recovered or washed up were laid out for families to identify.
The cause of the disaster was never conclusively determined. A public inquiry was unable to establish the reasons for the accident.


Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo moved level with Italian Valentino Rossi at the top of the championship after winning the Czech MotoGP in Brno.

The 28-year-old Yamaha rider got a good start from pole position and won in a time of 42 minutes, 53.042 seconds.
Honda's Marc Marquez was 4.462 seconds behind to finish second with Rossi taking third to join his team-mate on 211 points in the standings.
It was a fifth win of the season for Lorenzo and his first since June.
"Luckily I had a little bit more pace than Marc and won this very important victory, because now I'm leading the championship with Valentino," said Lorenzo, the 2010 and 2012 MotoGP champion. "For Marc, it's now more difficult to recover."
Last season's champion Marquez is third in the championship on 159 points.
Lorenzo claimed his 38th overall MotoGP victory on the 22-lap, 5.4-km Brno circuit.
In the Moto3 race, Britain's Danny Kent, seeking to become the first Briton to win a world championship in any class since Barry Sheene in 1977, saw his lead cut to 45 points as he finished seventh. Italy's Niccolo Antonelli took the race win.
The Moto2 race was won by Frenchman Johann Zarco, who leads the championship standings by 79 points.
Czech Grand Prix results
1. Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 42mins 53.042secs
2 Marc Marquez (Spain) Honda 42:57.504
3. Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 43:03.439
4. Andrea Iannone (Italy) Ducati 43:06.113
5. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 43:08.692
6. Andrea Dovizioso (Italy) Ducati 43:08.766
7. Bradley Smith (Britain) Yamaha 43:14.863
8. Pol Espargaro (Spain) Yamaha 43:16.282
9. Aleix Espargaro (Spain) Suzuki 43:36.826
10. Danilo Petrucci (Italy) Ducati 43:38.303
MotoGP standings after race 11 of 18:
1= Valentino Rossi (Italy) Yamaha 211pts
1= Jorge Lorenzo (Spain) Yamaha 211,
3. Marc Marquez (Spa) Honda 159
4. Andrea Iannone (Ita) Ducati 142
5. Bradley Smith (Britain) Yamaha 106
6. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Ducati 104
7. Dani Pedrosa (Spain) Honda 91
8. Cal Crutchlow (Britain) Honda 74
9. Pol Espargaro (Spa) Yamaha 73
10. Danilo Petrucci (Ita) Ducati 63


The scene of Jeremy Clarkson's infamous fracas with a BBC Top Gear producer has been commemorated with a plaque at the hotel where the altercation took place.

Simonstone Hall in the Yorkshire Dales shared a picture of the plaque, donated by a hotel guest, on Facebook.
"Here lies the BBC career of Jeremy Clarkson who had a fracas on this spot, 4 March 2015," reads the plaque. "The rest is legend."
Clarkson was suspended, then dropped, by the BBC following the incident.
The Top Gear team were staying at the hotel during filming when Irish producer Oisin Tymon was assaulted by Clarkson during a late-night argument over food.
Tymon suffered swelling and a split lip and visited a hospital for his injuries.
Following an internal investigation, the BBC announced Clarkson's contract on Top Gear would not be renewed.
"We were presented with this plaque from one of our guests last night!" wrote Simonstone Hall, sharing a picture on social media.
"We think it would be quite appropriate to put it on the patio where the fracas took place!"
Earlier this month it was revealed Tymon is suing Clarkson and the BBC for racial discrimination, centring on "verbal abuse" he said he received from the presenter during the fracas.
Clarkson will front a new show on Amazon Prime with co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond in the New Year, while Chris Evans will host the new look Top Gear when it returns for a new series.


Ordering Apple to access data against its will would be akin to making a reluctant drug company carry out a lethal injection, a US judge has said.

Judge James Orenstein was hearing a US government request to make it retrieve information from a locked iPhone seized by law enforcement officers.
On Monday, the judge expressed doubt that he had the authority to do so.
Apple has agreed to similar requests previously but is now refusing, saying it would erode customers' trust.
Referring to the US Department of Justice's request for him to order Apple to help it unlock the phone, the judge said: "What you're asking [Apple] to do is do work for you."
And he compared the request to a hypothetical one in which the government was asking him to order a drug company to take part in an execution against its conscientious objection.
He asked the department's lawyer, Saritha Komatireddy, whether or not he would have the legal authority to do so.
Ms Komatireddy asked to respond in writing, adding that the hypothetical was "somewhat inflammatory".
"Purposefully so," the judge responded.
Apple has argued that the order the government is seeking would be burdensome, in part because of the erosion of its customers' trust.
The company also said it lacked the technical ability to unlock phones running its newer operating systems, iOS8 and iOS9, though the phone at issue in the case runs an older system.
Ms Komatireddy questioned whether unlocking the phone would really be a burden for Apple, noting the company "has been doing this for years without any objection".
The judge pressed Apple's lawyer, Marc Zwillinger, to explain the company's change of heart.
Mr Zwillinger said the company had become more concerned about customer data in light of recent high-profile data breaches.
"Right now, Apple is aware that customer data is under siege from a variety of different directions," he said.
The judge asked both sides to submit additional letters addressing his questions to the court by Wednesday and said he would rule as soon as he could.
Ms Komatireddy said at the hearing that the US Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI were taking part in the underlying investigation, which is not public.


World number two Andy Murray had to fight back to beat wildcard Mathias Bourgue in five sets and secure his place in the French Open third round.

The British number one lost eight consecutive games to drop the second and then the third sets to the inspired 22-year-old Grand Slam debutant.
But Murray, 29, used all his experience to seal a 6-2 2-6 4-6 6-2 6-3 win over the world number 164 from France.
Fellow Briton Kyle Edmund lost 6-4 6-4 6-4 to American 15th seed John Isner.
Aljaz Bedene, who plays on Thursday, is the only other British player left in the singles tournaments in Paris.
Murray was also taken to five sets in the first round by veteran Czech Radek Stepanek.
The Scot's inconsistent form has been perplexing considering he beat Novak Djokovic in the Italian Open final in his last match on clay.
He now goes on to face 27th seed Ivo Karlovic from Croatia in the third round on Friday.
"Mathias was excellent and made me run a lot. He's got a fantastic future for sure.
"I led 6-2 2-0 then he started playing unbelievably and I was finding it hard to win points, let alone games. I've played matches like this before and just tried to fight through to the end.
"You can't play too many matches like this if you want to go far in this tournament. I hope to win the next one a little bit faster."
Murray told BBC Sport he could not explain his inconsistent form, adding: "I just lost my way".
He has already been on court for more than seven hours with back-to-back five-set matches across three consecutive days.
Murray looked in complete control at 2-0 up in the second set, but his game collapsed in spectacular fashion.
Bourgue, who had never played a Tour-level match before this week, broke Murray three times and won six games in a row, including 16 unanswered points, to take the set and level the match.
The pattern continued as Murray double-faulted twice and made further unforced errors in the opening game of the next set.
Murray finally broke Bourgue's eight-game winning run by taking the third game of the set.
Bourgue was also dominant on his own serve, holding to love six times out of seven, as a subdued Murray, having now lost 28 out of the last 32 points, continued to make mistakes.
The Frenchman had three break points in the next game but Murray - yet to show any of the passion evident during his tussle with Stepanek - battled back to hold serve.
Bourgue continued to produce an array of winners, including the deftest of drop shots, and secured the set with a stunning backhand down the line to leave Murray facing an almighty battle to stay in the tournament.
The Frenchman had three chances to break Murray in the opening game of the fourth but crucially the Scot held on, and celebrated with his trademark roar and a fist-pump.
At last Murray broke Bourgue's serve and followed that by holding his own to love, as confidence slowly returned to his game.
With Bourgue perhaps struggling with his fitness, Murray started to make his opponent work harder and clinched the set with a break to love to level the match.
Murray sensed his opportunity and took advantage of some rare errors to break the Frenchman in the fourth game of the decider.
The Briton served for the match at 5-1 but failed to close it out before finally sealing victory after three hours and 34 minutes on court.
Bourgue hit more winners (55 to Murray's 46), produced fewer unforced errors (44 to Murray's 45) and won 138 points compared to Murray's tally of 137.
"I'd been waiting for this for a long time, that's what I play tennis for. I'm happy even if I lost," Bourgue said. "It will remain a great memory."
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller
"The tennis played by Mathias Bourgue, who had never even contested a match on the ATP Tour before making his Grand Slam debut in Paris, was remarkable and uplifting. Yet Andy Murray knows he is currently a poor imitation of the man who won the Rome Masters just 10 days ago.
"At one stage, Bourgue won 16 points in a row in his run of eight consecutive games. Murray was flat, missing regularly and perplexed at his poor ball striking, but able again to work his way into a position in which he could make his experience and physical superiority tell.
"His fighting spirit burns as brightly as ever, but the seven and a quarter hours he has already spent on court could well take its toll. Murray says he is hitting the ball well in practice, but not yet for long enough periods on the match court to justify his pre-tournament billing."
Defending champion Stan Wawrinka, the third-seeded Swiss, went through with a 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-4 win over Japan's Taro Daniel.
Wawrinka, 31, found himself in trouble in the first set when he had to save two set points.
He dominated the second set but was a break down in the third before finishing with a flourish to secure a third-round meeting with French 30th seed Jeremy Chardy.
Fifth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan coasted into the third round with a 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory over Russia's Andrey Kuznetsov.
Ivo Karlovic, 37, beat Australia's Jordan Thompson 12-10 in the final set to become the oldest man to make the third round since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
The 27th seed from Croatia fired 41 aces and 102 winners in a marathon match.
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The news of David Bowie's death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from his collaborators and the many musicians he influenced as well as music fans around the world and other public figures.

Bowie's life-long collaborator, producer Tony Visconti, worked with him on albums stretching from 1969's breakthrough Space Oddity to his latest LP Blackstar, which was released on Friday.
Visconti wrote on Facebook that he knew Blackstar would be Bowie's "parting gift".
"He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way. His death was no different from his life - a work of Art.
"He made Blackstar for us, his parting gift. I knew for a year this was the way it would be. I wasn't, however, prepared for it.
"He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry."
Brian Eno worked with Bowie on albums including his legendary Berlin Trilogy in the mid-1970s. He has issued a statement paying tribute to his friend:
"David's death came as a complete surprise, as did nearly everything else about him. I feel a huge gap now.
"We knew each other for over 40 years, in a friendship that was always tinged by echoes of Pete and Dud. Over the last few years - with him living in New York and me in London - our connection was by email. We signed off with invented names: some of his were mr showbiz, milton keynes, rhoda borrocks and the duke of ear.
"About a year ago we started talking about Outside - the last album we worked on together. We both liked that album a lot and felt that it had fallen through the cracks. We talked about revisiting it, taking it somewhere new. I was looking forward to that.
"I received an email from him seven days ago. It was as funny as always, and as surreal, looping through word games and allusions and all the usual stuff we did. It ended with this sentence: 'Thank you for our good times, brian. they will never rot'. And it was signed 'Dawn'.
"I realise now he was saying goodbye."
Iggy Pop and David Bowie became good friends in the mid-1970s, relocating to Berlin together as Bowie helped write and produce Pop's first two solo albums, while Pop fed into Bowie's albums including Low. Iggy Pop tweeted:
Madonna wrote a heartfelt statement about Bowie's influence on Facebook:
"I'm devastated.
"David Bowie changed the course of my life forever. I never felt like I fit in growing up in Michigan. Like an oddball or a freak. I went to see him in concert at Cobo Arena in Detroit. It was the first concert I'd ever been too. I snuck out of the house with my girlfriend wearing a cape.
"We got caught after and I was grounded for the summer. I didn't care. I already had many of his records and was so inspired by the way he played with gender confusion. Was both masculine and feminine. Funny and serious. Clever and wise. His lyrics were witty ironic and mysterious.
"At the time he was the thin white Duke and he had mime artists on stage with him and very specific choreography. And I saw how he created a persona and used different art forms within the arena of rock and Roll to create entertainment.
"I found him so inspiring and innovative. Unique and provocative. A real Genius. His music was always inspiring but seeing him live set me off on a journey that for me I hope will never end.
"His photographs are hanging all over my house today. He was so chic and beautiful and elegant. So ahead of his time.
"Thank you David Bowie. I owe you a lot. The world will miss you."
In a statement, Sir Paul McCartney said:
"Very sad news to wake up to on this raining morning. David was a great star and I treasure the moments we had together. His music played a very strong part in British musical history and I'm proud to think of the huge influence he has had on people all around the world.
"I send my deepest sympathies to his family and will always remember the great laughs we had through the years. His star will shine in the sky forever."
Fellow Beatle Ringo Starr added:
Tributes have flooded in from other many artists across the musical spectrum, demonstrating how far Bowie's influence spread.
Kanye West:
The Rolling Stones, whose frontman Mick Jagger sang with Bowie on 1985's Dancing in the Street, sent two tweets:
Pharrell Williams:
Foo Fighters:
One Direction's Harry Styles:
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons:
Boy George:
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp:
Other figures from the music world paying tribute included former Soft Cell singer Marc Almond, who said: "I can't think of an artist that I've felt as much affected by, who's died.  And I spent most of the morning in tears actually.
"You can't overestimate really what an enormous cultural influence he was.  And for someone like me, you know, thirteen, fourteen, sort of growing up, the music world then was a very masculine world.
"And for David Bowie to come along and to have this expressive theatricality, it's was like a beacon of kind of hope and light."
Annie Lennox wrote on Facebook: "No one exists forever and it seems our elegant gentleman was well aware that his last mortal chapter was about to reach it's conclusion.
"Dark Star [sic] was his parting gift. Provocative and nightmarishly 'otherworldly'… we are jolted towards the twilight realms of epileptic seizures and voodoo scarecrows.
"The bejewelled remains of Major Tom lie dormant in a dust coated space suit… It leaves me breathless. You must see it to believe it… He knew… He could see through it all."
Ultravox's Midge Ure told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We all look towards what he did.  We're all still walking in his slipstream.  We're all still many, many yards behind what he was doing. Because he led the way.  He was the leader, he was the governor.
"He was consistent in the quality of what he did.  Some things he did were more commercially successful than others.  But you do get the overwhelming impression that commercial success wasn't his driving force.
"Creativity was. Constantly pushing the boundaries, constantly crossing barriers, you know, invisible walls he just seemed to walk through and move into areas that no-one would expect him to do."
In a statement, Peter Gabriel said: "He meant so much to me and to so many. He was a one-off, a brilliant outlier, always exploring, challenging and inspiring anyone who wanted to push the boundaries of music, art, fashion and society.
"There are so few artists who can touch a generation as he did, we will miss him badly. Long Live Lazarus."
The Human League's Martyn Ware told BBC 5 live that Bowie was "an artist, rather than just a musician".
Ware said he didn't think his "career would have happened at all, were it not for David Bowie", adding: "It wasn't just about the music he made, it was about fashion, it was about - he lived his life as though he were an art installation."
And Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis recalled Bowie's first appearance at the event. "He came in '71 with lovely, long flowing hair like a hippie, he was fantastically beautiful and nobody knew who he was," Eavis said.
"He played at four in the morning at sunrise, songs that we'd never heard before and it was great fun. He's one of the three greatest, there is Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and David Bowie. I was only half awake because I'd been up all night."
Bowie's influence spread beyond the music world, as UK Prime Minister David Cameron has attested. Mr Cameron recently picked Hunky Dory as his favourite album.
"Today we are mourning the loss of an immense British talent," he said. "Genius is an over-used word but I think musically, creatively, artistically David Bowie was a genius.
"For someone of my age he provided a lot of the soundtrack of our lives, from the first time I heard Space Oddity to watching our athletes appear in those wonderful Olympics to the strains of Heroes.
"He was a master of reinvention and one of the things that is so incredible is almost all his reinventions were incredible successes and worked brilliantly. So, we mourn the loss of a great talent. We think about his family and friends, who have lost a loved one too early, but I think also we celebrate an immense British talent who has enriched all of our lives."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme that Bowie was a "great musician, great entertainer".
"As soon as I heard of his death, very, very sad, Life On Mars comes flowing back into my mind. Wonderful song, wonderful guy," he said.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby also gave his reaction to the star's death, speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
He said: "I'm very very saddened to hear of his death. I remember sitting and listening to his songs endlessly in the '70s particularly, and always really relishing what he was, what he did, the impact he had."
And the Vatican's chief spokesman on cultural matters, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, tweeted the lyrics to Space Oddity:
Two current star men have also paid tribute. British astronaut Tim Peake sent a tweet from the International Space Station.
And fellow astronaut Chris Hadfield, who famously sang Space Oddity in space, tweeted:


England's top female rugby players will be paid for the first time as the Women's Sevens squad goes professional.

The Rugby Football Union is giving full-time contracts to 20 players.
They include 12 members of the squad that won the 15-a-side Women's Rugby World Cup in Paris earlier this month, beating Canada in the final.
England's World Cup-winning captain Katy Mclean, one of the players awarded a contract, described the deals as "fantastic news for the sport".
The RFU said the one-year contracts would be awarded on an annual basis.
All 20 contracted players will train full-time at Twickenham and at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, starting in September.
They will compete in the 2014-15 IRB Women's Sevens World Series, at which England will attempt to qualify for the Rio Olympics on behalf of Great Britain.
Rugby sevens will be included at the Olympics for the first time in 2016, and the RFU said it had decided on a professional set-up in order to allow England to compete effectively against full-time opponents.
England's squad at the Women's Rugby World Cup in France was made up entirely of part-time players, including a plumber, Marlie Packer, and a vet, Sophie Hemming. All of the players trained in their spare time for no pay.
They won the tournament by beating Canada 21-9 in the final in Paris on 17 August, to become world champions for the first time since 1994.
Danielle Waterman, who scored one of England's two tries in the final, gave up her job at an RFU academy for 16-18-year-olds in Gloucester last November to focus on the World Cup.
She told BBC Radio 5 live: "These contracts haven't happened overnight. The RFU has been working towards this for at least as long as I've been involved with England, which is 11 years.
"It has cost a substantial amount of money to do it and the RFU is providing that support, which is brilliant."
Waterman and Packer have been awarded full-time contracts along with primary school teacher Mclean, who said: "This is fantastic news for the sport and exactly what we need as an England squad to continue to be at the top of our sport on a global scale."
In addition to their Sevens commitments, the full-time players will also be expected to play 15-a-side internationals and Women's Premiership rugby.
Their training programme, led by Sevens coach Simon Middleton and RFU head of women's performance Nicola Ponsford, will include strength and conditioning work, as well as medical, nutritional, lifestyle and psychological support.
Ponsford declined to reveal how much players would be paid, but told Radio 5 live that those giving up their jobs would receive adequate financial support.
She said: "The RFU doesn't disclose salaries, so we're not going reveal amounts. But we are going to work with every player to make sure everyone is sorted out financially and can focus on training.
"We want the players to be able to commit to this without having to worry that they're not going to make ends meet."
The development comes six months after the England women's cricket team announced it would be turning professional.
A total of 18 female cricketers were awarded professional contracts in May by the England and Wales Cricket Board.