Has Dragons’ Den judge Theo Paphitis got himself a new pair of glasses? Specifically, rose-coloured ones?

The retail entrepreneur believes we are “very lucky” to be living through this recession. Speaking at a Norwood Young Finance reception last week, a spirited Mr Paphitis told more than 200 business professionals: “This is the most exciting working period of my life. There are more opportunities now than there have ever been.

“You are very lucky to be living through this. You will never ever see it again.” Let’s hope so.

Meanwhile, over in Davos, property grandee Sir John Ritblat, the former chairman of British Land, also had some words of comfort for the public.

Sir John, enjoying a break on the Swiss Slopes following the World Economic Forum, told The Times newspaper that “a return to order in financial markets is not as far off as the Jeremiahs are saying”. Rose-coloured goggles, Sir John?