Sir Godber Evans

From Brierley in South Yorkshire and the son of a butcher, Godber Evans went to the College from his grammar school, which immediately marked him out as 'not a gentleman'.

The Prime Minister sees it as an opportunity to get rid of him as his career has been marked by idealistic aspirations that generally failed to translate into effective policies.

Sir Godber, having been pressured by his wealthy left-wing wife, Lady Mary, daughter of a Liberal Party peer, announces sweeping changes to the centuries of College tradition, much to the concern of Skullion, the Head Porter, and the Fellows, who plan a counter attack to the proposed contraceptive machines, women students, and a self-service canteen.

Skullion contemptuously remembers Sir Godber from his student days as a grammar school boy and therefore not a proper gentleman.

This angers Skullion's sense of pride, and he advances menacingly on Sir Godber, who, backing away in fear, trips and bangs his head.

In 1987 Porterhouse Blue was adapted for television by Malcolm Bradbury for Channel 4, with Ian Richardson playing the role of Sir Godber Evans.