SO, how do you feel about beards? I ask because they appear to be having something of a fashion moment.

They were all over the catwalks in London and New York… and that was just the women. Only kidding of course – that really would be a trend too far.

Marc Jacobs and Vivienne Westwood’s menswear lines were accessorised with beards of all shapes and sizes and Mr Jacobs has been rocking some serious face fuzz of his own for a while now.

Then there’s Brad Pitt. Widely regarded as the most beautiful man alive, his reaction to the accolade has been to hide those angelic features behind some of Hollywood’s worst facial hair.

I like to think he’s just doing it to wind Angelina up.

A quick scan of the grid at the weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix shows that Formula One drivers aren’t too friendly with the old Bic either. Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel all favour a bit of fuzz.

Although, given that most racing drivers (Button aside) have the complexions and builds of schoolboys, I expect theirs have less to do with fashion and more to do with avoiding getting asked for ID every time they order a beer.

But the real proof beards are back came last week when David Beckham, left, with Victoria, stepped out for England’s World Cup qualifier at Wembley with whiskers.

We have seen Becks with facial hair before but this was not some delicately clipped goatee this was the full-on polar explorer version.

It was also horrible. Naturally it set the world’s press alight.