Musical talent tends to run in families, but Snifter still felt taken aback to hear that Steven Oliver, the saxophone-playing boss of the Union Pub Company, is a not-too-distant relative of none other than pop legend Robbie Williams.
The bossman's first taste of working in the industry (pubs, not music) came after he worked behind the bar at the Red Lion in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, the pub run by Robbie's dad Pete.
"I suppose I've got Robbie and Pete to thank for
getting me into the trade," said Oliver.
The UPC man revealed he was never a huge boy-band fan, but is more impressed by Robbie's solo work.
Oliver once took his daughter to a Take That concert - and wore earplugs to protect him from thousands of ecstatic teenage fans' frenzy.
He has also confided in Snifter that his grandmother's sister is Robbie's grandmother, which (if he ever works it out) may mean that the star is his second cousin. As a child, the pubco MD met Robbie regularly when he visited the singer's grandmother's house on Sundays.
As for the crooner's taste in alcohol, Oliver conceded: "I think Robbie's more of a lager man - I don't know whether he drinks Pedigree."
But he doesn't have much contact with his superstar relative: "I'm a mere mortal - he's strutting the global stage," he said.
But the same can't be said of Pete, Robbie's comedian dad, who has entertained UPC staff and guests at events.
Next week: Snifter reveals links between Ted Tuppen and Bryan Adams, Ian Payne and Val Doonican - and Tim Martin and Jon Bon Jovi.