Yorkshirejohn

New day - new solution (and dead easy)! Take 1 cable tie about 9" long. Wrap it round the wires leading to the bulb holder BEFORE threading it together. Pull it through until the resulting hoop fits down the lamp holder tube. Guide the hoop onto the bulb holder & while holding it in place with a (fat) finger, gently pull the straight end of the cable tie (with the other hand silly) until it engages (like a lasso) around the bulb holder. Now pull & hey presto - the bulb holder is out!