If that fails, the next stage involves removing the light fitting. Switch off at the fuse box before you start. If it’s a pendant dangling from a ceiling rose, open the rose and disconnect the wires (after making a note of where they connect!). If it’s a metal fitting attached to the ceiling, there’s a good chance of doing dangerous damage and it’s best to get an electrician in.

Once you’ve got the fitting down, put a tiny drop of oil on the metal part of the bulb and continue pushing it in and out. If that doesn’t work. wear a glove and give the bulb a good twist anticlockwise. The glass bit will come away and you can lever the metal bit out with a small screwdriver and pliers.