Brian Jacques: Hello, my name is Brian Jacques. When I go to America people fondly call me Mr. jack-USE, or jac-KWEZ, or even people who think they can speak French say, "Hey, it's pronounced Jock". And down by the Mexican border it sounds rather nice, it's Mr. ha-KESS.

It's an old French name Jacques, J-A-C-Q-U-E-S. And Brian, of course, is a Celtic name which means "the strong one". That's good, isn't it? Now, always remember this, my name is Brian Jacques, and as we say Jacques as in cakes, and oh for goodness sakes!