I have a 9000 Bold with firmware 4.6,9,303 (platform 4.0.0.248)

This is a new phone to me so I dont know whether this is a 'software' issue with the firmware being slow or whether there is a real hardware problem (defective key).

Basically I have to press and hold the escape key to get it to work unlike any of the other keys that just take one normal press.

Any ideas folks ?

Using the back key in some applications, (browser for example) will take you BACK one page.
However, to close an app, it does require a hold for a few seconds.

- Surely that just a key press right ? I have to press and hold it to get the screen to come back on, any other key is immediate...

Since the lack or replies I am thinking no one else has seen a 'slowness' in the firmware for this key and its a hardware issue.