Not all superheroes wear capes but some wear make-up and are dressed to kill - thank you Eddie Izzard

The first Oracle OpenWorld Europe wrapped up with keynote speaker Edward John Izzard better known to most of us as Eddie Izzard, comedian, author, activist and marathon runner. Eddie took to the stage in what he calls, "girl mode", a trans-person who came out, but as he says he "loves women". Looking across between Emma Peel and Lara Croft in skirt, boots and impeccable make-up Eddie talked through his life story and experiences or as I'd call it "a ramble around inside his head".

Not sure everyone in the room got him or his humour...guys sat next to me talking to each other "Is he a comedy there's no jokes?" From the accents I realised they were from somewhere in Europe where observational and surreal comedy isn't the usual.

Eddie spoke of the abuse he gets on the streets from idiots because he has the courage to dress in a way that makes him feel comfortable with himself and his gender status. I was pleased to learn that one asshole was prosecuted by the CPS for the abuse which was deemed a hate crime. Sadly another asshole was ready to take his place with abuse days later.

I was on the edge of my seat when Eddie spoke about running 43 marathons in 51 days in 2009 in the UK for Comic Relief and 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa in 2016 for the 27 years his hero Nelson Mandela spent in prison. I loved his comment, "Your body seizes up like a car if you don't use it or like a house which gets dry rot if you don't look after it, so its important to use your body". When he remarked that the more you use your body the stronger it gets and recovers faster I wanted to stand up and shout "spot on" but then I would have looked a dick as neither he or others would have known why I was doing it and I'd have been mistaken for a heckler.

When Eddie said he'd take a few questions I borrowed some confidence from my future self and strode to the front. As I had now changed out of my suit into my running gear ready to "run home" at the close I think my yellow running jacket scared the lady into handing the nutter a microphone.

When the moment arrived I told Eddie of my 10st weight loss and thanked Eddie for inspiring me take up running and finishing my first marathon in Loch Ness last year aged 56, which is his age also. My comment that amazingly there were two people of the same age in the room drew a laugh. I asked him if Government should try to do more to get "older" people active and while he agreed he also said people had to want to do it and have the desire. He congratulated me on my achievements and I thanked him for his inspiration.

As the event ended I was congratulated by quite a few people many of whom I didn't know but heard me during the Q&A. Someone even came up and shook my hand on the tube train!!

Eddie Izzard was an inspired choice for a speaker as this wasn't about getting a funny guy to close the event, but someone who thinks out of the box and has great courage.

Not all superheroes wear capes but some wear impeccable make-up and are dressed to kill - thank you Eddie