Went out to fit a new air filter and set of plugs this morning, full of hope and great joy - thinking of the saving. Came back in having totally failed to pull the leads from plugs 2 and 3, much more heaving and I'll be lifting the engine too...!
Is there some sort of secret handshake required?
Yes, lifting from the wide, getagrip section, not the lead themselves and no, not from below, but the things are stretching as far as I can pull them without so much as a bit of give. I'm worried I'll just end by tearing them apart.
Any clues?

Nope, sounds like a bit on the tight side. Sisters were like this on her last service, ended up breaking when the were removed so might be worth buying some replacements just incase

Had this with my sons '98 Punto mk1. They sure did take some pulling off. It seems the rubber welds itself to the ceramics. In the end I squirted WD-40 up between cover and plug body then they eventually did release but was a close run thing thinking I will have to replace the whole set of leads. Not like the good old days with plastic Champion plug caps.

Thanks, actually I'd guessed as much, just didn't fancy the fight. I'll see if I can get a set today and have at it next dry spell - probably be around middle of October then.
Yep, plastic plug caps, back in the day, eh......

Ha, success! I found a pair of right angle nose pliers and gave one last mighty heave and the buggers popped! Job done and it's definitely running smoother.
NGK DCPR7EIX Iridiums as recommended further back in here by jrkitching. Just got to get my coat dried out now...