The new sports primary exponent is unlikely superstar Darren Starr - “pipping is about strength, focus and devastating reflexes”.

Well, maybe not - pipping simply appears to involve the flicking of watermelon seeds using the thumb and index finger. The de pipped watermelon can then be fashioned into a form of watermelon helmet or brain bucket… to protect the pip participant.

Maybe we shouldn’t mock. Pip training is very arduous. Apparently, to get his thumbs suitably dextrous, the fledgeling pipper spends hours practicing…..by texting the word zucchini pancakes over and over again.