Quite - or just wait until 50 and go straight for the 6 month option. My excerpts were just to clear up the 'they can't keep you more than 6 months' perception.
Since he's already tried with the desk, and if he's under 49.6 this is irrelevant anyway.
There are grounds for compassionate PVR, or Early Termination as it is now called, but I'm not sure what grounds you need for that. It's also mentioned in the AP.