GQ AT 20: 1988-2008

My, we've grown. Which isn't to say when British GQ arrived on our newsstands in December 1988 we weren't red in tooth and claw (after all, our first cover star, former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine, wasn't going to waste time on just any start-up). Just that as the years have passed we've got stronger, mightier, better looking and weightier.

Which made compiling an anniversary issue worthy of all the fuss a tall order. Sure, we've revisited back issues and turned up entertaining stories (check out page 59, third column, a quarter of the way down). I'd like to thank David Beckham for gracing our cover for the first time since 2002 and two decades after he signed for Manchester United.

But as a magazine we care more about the now and the next. Which is why we asked our quiver of writers to contribute articles on those who've not only made their past two decades come to life but continue to do so. You'll find Tony Parsons' article on The Sopranos (page 200). And don't close the issue until you've read Robert Chalmers' entertaining interviews with the two patron saints of Manchester, Sir Alex Ferguson (page 352) and Noel Gallagher (page 238).

Elsewhere, we've rounded up the world's most beautiful women and asked our cultural commentators to contrast the world we've left behind - the late Eighties - with the world now - the late Noughties. And finally, we asked John Kampfner to take a punt at how our lives will look in 2028 (page 326). One thing is for certain: GQ will still be around, calling the shots, enjoying the show. I know you will be there too.

Dylan Jones, Editor, GQ

Dedicated to Michael VerMeulen and John Morgan