So. Scary Abramovich isn’t so scary after all. In fact, he may be in danger of being a New Man. How do we know this? Acupuncture. Roman Abramovich, multibillionaire hard man and owner of Chelsea Football club, is wearing an auricular acupuncture needle.

“Experts” are saying it’s there to help control his weight; but it could be for almost anything. There are more than 200 acupuncture points in the ear, and needles can be applied to treat a number of ailments, ranging from weak kidneys to anxiety. The most common type is the tiny one held in place by small bits of surgical tape — like the ones Kate Moss uses to help to control her cravings.

Acupuncture has plenty of celebrity devotees, but it’s no passing fad. And it really works. In China, it’s often used as an aid to anaesthetic in very serious operations. And facial acupuncture is fast becoming the only truly natural alternative to Botox.

Abramovich’s needle looks quite hi-tech. It has a little hook on the end of it, possibly so that it can be stimulated magnetically. Either that, or he’s suffered a bizarre fly-fishing injury.