Finally, three days after its opening ceremony in Paris, Mark Lawrenson's return to co-commentary started the Euro 2016 party.
Although the football on show in the opening matches of the tournament had been entertaining, there was a definite Lawro-shaped hole in proceedings.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man.
At just before 5pm on Monday, everyone's favourite Preston-born Irishman answered the calls of football fans up and down the land, assuming his role in the BBC commentary booth for Ireland's Group E opener with Sweden.
It was immediately clear that viewers were delighted at Lawro's return as he immersed himself in the game...
https://twitter.com/MarkWaddell93/status/742409155932246016
https://twitter.com/TweetsbyJenks/status/742387374403903489
https://twitter.com/RealBobMortimer/status/742396468305231876
...and they soon showed that they were in awe of his insight and depth of knowledge of the game.
https://twitter.com/Dave797/status/742401948654161920
https://twitter.com/philadlam/status/742396250876694529
https://twitter.com/LukeWilliamson/status/742381008876666880
https://twitter.com/elisjames/status/742394389977309185
His white-hot humour was also a source of great amusement...
https://twitter.com/WeahsCousin/status/742392347644854273
https://twitter.com/worldofkeegle/status/742402378113093636
In the end, the match finished in a 1-1 draw in St-Denis, but the result didn't really seem to matter. Today was the day that a hero returned.
Good to have you back, Lawro.
https://twitter.com/HLTCO/status/742392131306827776