The eventual demise of Woolworths was more tragedy than farce, with 30,000 people left worrying about their jobs just before Christmas.

However, the final few days of Woolworths plc have brought to the fore an eccentric and international cast of characters, from Norwich-based Iranian organic farmer and property developer Ardeshir Naghshineh to Paul McGowan, the Irish chief executive of the Hilco UK restructuring fund.