I am sure everyone will be glad to know?!?  That at last, after 9 months, I have found a decent kettle!  Its design and styling is excellent, the lid hinges don't look as if they're going to snap off in the first few weeks of use, it's quick boilng, you dont graze your knuckles on a top handle as you do on those stupid non-hinge lidded affairs.  It's just great!!  It's a Hitachi KET2E and I believe the RRP is around £60 but I managed to get it in Currys, Uckfield, closing down sale for £21!  So not so grumpy today but 'boiling over' with happiness.
Thanks for those few comments on my troubles with the old Russel Hobbs one.