This year’s series of Promenade Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall has been a strange affair.

Some of the concerts have been less than rivetting, leading to half-empty houses. A few of the guest orchestras have been too small for the space, sounding underpowered for no fault of their own.

Worse though, has been the behaviour of the Promenaders themselves. The legendary knowledge of those who stand in the middle of the auditorium, lending an unequalled atmosphere to the Last Night, has been called into question for the first time. It seems there is a growing tendency to break into applause between movements. Tuts and tsks can be heard from the more expensive seats around the hallowed hall.

But there is an even more woeful cause for complaint. Promenaders have been spotted lying down in the hall, some apparently asleep. Other couples were said to be shamelessly canoodling while the music played.

Sir Malcolm Sargent must be apoplectic in Valhalla.