Gendry has a better claim to the Iron Throne than we might think

At this point in the conversation, I became convinced that Paul knew exactly who I was, had read all of my fangirl theories about Gendry Baratheon, and had decided to fuck with me. But he seemed such a nice man, and I don’t want to believe he’s as twisted as all that (even if he DID fondly dub Littlefinger, that conniving and Machiavellian monster; a “rascal”), so I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. “I know some things,” he said, tapping his nose, “so I can’t say anything too much. But Gendry is more important than anyone realises. He is King Robert’s son, remember.”

Oh Paul, I remember. And you can all read my theory about Gendry Baratheon here, if you so wish. But it’s worth noting that another of my local sources claims that Joe Dempsie himself has been wandering around press junkets and telling everyone who will listen that Gendry dies this season.

Hmm. So Dempsie is either the Tom Holland of the Game of Thrones franchise, or, if we put our trust in Paul, a very canny chap indeed.

Game of Thrones has made Belfast locals enormously proud of their city

This I didn’t need Paul to tell me: it was clear in his enthusiasm for the show, and his passion for the work it’s given the people of Northern Ireland. But he did, all the same.

“It’s changed our image,” he said, pointing out that the country used to be known for “bombs and the Troubles”.

“I’ve never been prouder to be a Belfast local,” he said, looking wistfully at me. We had just arrived at my hotel, and were bidding one another farewell at this point. “What I wouldn’t give to be in your shoes tonight. I hope I see you again, but if I do…”

He paused, as if locked in some sort of eternal struggle. “If I see you again, I don’t want you to tell me anything,” he finished. “I want to see it all happen for myself.”

Ah, the irony. I made my promises, thanked him profusely for a riveting ride, and bid him farewell. And I truly hope, for Paul’s sake even more than my own, that the series finale lives up to fan expectations. There’s a lot of love for Game of Thrones out there, and a lot of Northern Irish locals to please. Roll on the rest of final season, eh?

Of course, Paul doesn’t work for Game of Thrones, so he doesn’t have any real inside knowledge. But, knowing what I know about taxi rides (we all tend to talk to our cabbies as openly as we would priests in the confessional booth), I’ve no doubt that they contain, at the very least, a kernel of truth.

Game of Thrones finale: every spoiler and behind-the-scenes secret worth knowing