He loves trains, has written several train songs in his time and, more importantly, is just an all-round lovely guy. Happy birthday Chris Difford, pictured here (second from right) with the current incarnation of the band Squeeze, who turns 71 today.

What a wonderful night at The Phoenix with Chris Difford & his top notch band last night. We sang…we laughed…& laughed again & fell out into the Soho night with smiles as wide as the Charing Cross Road. Don’t miss ‘em @ExchangeTwick on Fri Nov 21st. https://t.co/hbpVaZ0Ttq

@squeezeogram Chris Difford is coming back to The Exchange on his new tour, playing music from the Squeeze catalogue and his solo albums, looking back on 50 lyrical years. Friday 21 November, 7.30 pm. Last few tickets remaining! https://t.co/MxsL0uhWnT

Up the Junction is also the name of a collection of short stories by Nell Dunn, first published in 1963. Lyricist Chris Difford said the title phrase was lifted from the 1965 TV play version of the work, directed by Ken Loach, and the subsequent 1968 film version.

I send my love and prayers to his family.” -Chris Difford “Gilson was a hero to me and to all of us when he brought his knowledge to a young band. He absolutely propelled us like rocket fuel. He was so great and inventive, there is no one else like him. ... (3/4)

Gilson touched the lives of so many of us with his talent on those amazing Squeeze records and his playing on ‘Later with Jools…’ sad news to hear. Safe travels 🙏

So sorry to hear of the passing of Gilson Lavis ❤️ a lovely man & supremely talented drummer ..will be missed 🙏

Happy Birthday today to this cool cat @chrisdifford 🎂🎉💫

Please join us in wishing the incomparable @chrisdifford a very happy birthday today! 🥳 📷 Steve Taylor

@TaylorMod Just home from seeing Chris Difford Ben. Different class 👌🏼

@Mikehomeseller Anything written by Chris Difford.

@VintageRockN_85 Chris Difford of Squeeze.

@Cherylbaker loved that you got a cheeky shout out at the packed O2 arena last night. Glenn Tilbrook joined Daruis Rucker on stage for two songs, he said that he played the old gasworks in Greenwich with you and Chris Difford, the crowd gave you a big cheer 😁

@HeadBerry @atomicjoy @Peacefulheight @stuartmwrites @JuliaAn03598582 @drclawscat @London__Smoke @lucy_la_la @Zaphod2042 @ruthan_badd @Lindsay04555896 @WillMonk09 @MikeFirth4 @HoraceSpellman9 @orcbadger @aclockworkmonk @deminimismusic @BradfemlyWalsh @TimmyODanaos @WideyMcKnacker @AndyinBrum @Shiv_who_burns @Lisa_0Connor @VintageMrHobbes @JillCollier16 @Stocklington @CyranodEcosse @JusticeTrousers @jhgr81 @DreadfulContent @HelpOurTatchell @slowpurrrr @MrJonnieB @JustRowena @MorganE07969703 @66Steph82 @TheProject_Heid @AllezNeg @barrow_alex @gazzamc71 @elseverwoerd @Bertaton @likesmokenoakum @JoeBangles11 @TomasCorax @duncanm @BrealeyMatthew @wigShoppeIII @babygirl112008 @leigh_fell At a mate's wedding anniversary do about 20 years ago, he booked Chris Difford to perform a short set in the back garden and, I swear this is true, as he played this at the end, the neighbour's cat wandered through the space between him and the audience, to everyone's delight.

@softtail65 https://t.co/PegMn6xbmH The Flame Still Burns by Strange Fruit from the movie Still Crazy. Written by Foreigner's Mick Jones and Chris Difford of Squeeze. Features Jimmy Nail and Bill Naghy on vocals. On there 40th anniversary collection, Foreigner release an alternate version.

Last night October 1st, I saw the amazing Chris Difford, Squeeze. In Lichfield, a super night Chris, thank you. Get your arses down to his current tour!

Chris Difford in Hove last night! Cool for Cats.

@IsItOverYeti @_KeepRockAlive_ Glenn Tilbrook is the most underrated axe-swinger I have ever seen. He even played the Melody Motel riff by request from the audience the last time I saw him (and Chris Difford) even though it was not on the set list.

#NowPlaying #LiveMusic #London CHRIS DIFFORD (SQUEEZE) Just stepped onto the stage at Dingwall's in Camden, it's the wonderful Chris Difford. This will be my third time seeing him this year alone. Sounding fabulous! 👌

Had a fabulous time at Chris Difford’s intimate solo show last week-A Little Stand Up and a Little Sit down, telling and singing Squeeze classics and songs from his solo work. Looking forward to his new podcast. He’d be great at stand up.