Eric Cantona's double.

aka 'what is it with beards?

A boys transition to manhood is partially marked with him starting to shave:

But an alarming new trend may soon bring this rite of passage to a halt!

This weeks episodes of Trial and Retribution, (A Lynda La Plante crime series on ITV) showed a man with an alarming resemblance to ex Manchester United and, briefly, Leeds United superstar soccer icon-Eric Cantona.

Eric Cantona, courtesy of http://www.golfmagic.com

Doppelgangers naturally arouse our curiosity and research suggests there are at least two or three versions of ourselves out there, somewhere. 

But, even though this may be worrying to some-I don't know what alarms me more....my awareness that some lucky soul/s is/are walking around with my distinctive countenance or.....

the sudden emergence of a preference for beards!!!!!!

Now the ancient Romans oft scoffed at the lesser civilised Greeks for their random affinity to the beard, and some associate the decline of the Roman Empire with an increase in beardo behavior.

Marcus Aurelius-exception to the rule!

The sensible among us know the folly the lies inherent therein should we slide into unkemptousness.  

Here's England Rugger star Joe Marler, before he faced Scotland:

Courtesy of the Daily Mail

and here he is again following some sensible advice from ex England manager Sir Clive Woodward:

Courtesy of the Daily Mail

That way we English strive to at least appear civilized and avoid that crazy Gaul look, as sported by French rugger legend Sebastien Chabel!

The truly frightening thing is that our Lord and Savior may approve of this recent trend.

When people fret over Priestly celibacy, Women Priests etc; I just hope and pray that the next Pope doesn't make beards a requirement.