OBITUARIES

[Stanley]

It's still with us Maz and Tiz.....

[Bruff]

The actor Peter Vaughan. Died aged 93.

He will always be ‘Genial’ Harry Grout, the snout baron in Porridge to me. But actually, the obits are noting he was only in 3 episodes! You must be special to make that sort of mark.

Wrote his own epitaph: “Luck, good wine and beer. I just had a damn good time.” Can’t say fairer than that.

Richard Broughton

[Wendyf]

Greg Lake of King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer has died from cancer aged 69. Sad.

[PanBiker]

John Glenn, Astronaut and later Senator. First American to orbit the Earth, aged 95.

In the words of the flight controller on his first spaceflight "God speed John Glenn".

[Stanley]

See THIS for a BBC report on the death of Zsa Zsa Gabor aged 99 years. One of the most beautiful women in the world in her time..... A good age!

[Sue]

There can't be many old famous people left after this year.

[Marilyn]

You say that Sue, but you would be amazed. My son's work has a Death List" competition going every year ( yes...I thought it a bit odd at first). They have to put money in, and select so many names ( from Australians, international famous people, movie stars, sport people, scientists) etc, and they also have a "wild card" section. Each list goes for a year. After the year is up, the entrant with the most deaths gets the money.
You honestly would be amazed at the names still out there...and just how old some of our stars are.
( cos I can't help rooting about getting names for his list).

Here is one for you. How old do you think Sidney Poitier is?? ( think a firm age before you go looking...)
I rest my case!

[Tripps]

There can't be many old famous people left after this year.

I heard on R4 yesterday that - defining celebrities by those for whom there was a prepared obit at the BBC - there was an increase in deaths in the first part of the year, but it had reverted to the annual average by the end of it. I think it seems more because there an awful lot of 'celebrities' nowadays.

[PanBiker]

Some folk are regarded as celebrities it would seem just because they have a job. We watch Pointless at tea time and when they have the celebrity specials I quite often have great difficulty in recognising anyone at all. Penny sometimes drops when Xander explains who they are but certainly many are not celebrity in my book, they just happen to work on the telly.

[Sue]

But I DO know the celebrities who have died this year, not just names that have to be explained ( in general but not always)

[Stanley]

Same here Ian. I recognise very few unless they have done something really notable.

[Julie in Norfolk]

RIP Rabbi Lionel Blue. A lovely man.

[Stanley]

Snap! I only became aware last night he had died. 'Thought for Today' will never be the same..... Mind you, if you read his autobiography he was a very complex man when it came to sexual matters.... I was quite shocked when I read it. ('Hitch hiking to Heaven'. 2004)

[PanBiker]

RIP, Rick Parfitt of Status Quo who has died aged 68.

[Tizer]

The statement says: “He died in hospital in Marbella, Spain, as a result of a severe infection, having been admitted to hospital on Thursday evening following complications to a shoulder injury incurred by a previous fall."
Only 68 years old and only a previous injury - but an infection got him. Antibiotic resistant bacteria perhaps?

[Wendyf]

Or diabetes....he was T2. Infections feed on raised blood sugars.

[Big Kev]

George Michael, that was a shock...

[PanBiker]

Just seen it Kev, aged 53.

[Tripps]

Nearly the whole of Sky News at 11.30 pm last night, was devoted to this one topic. Canonisation will surely follow. Strange sort of role model - I'd say.

[Big Kev]

A very talented singer/songwriter albeit a troubled man...

[Julie in Norfolk]

I think he had his demons.

[Stanley]

I agree with Tripps, there is no accounting for taste....

[Nolic]

RIP actress Liz Smith aged 95. Nana in The Royle Family and appeared in many comedy and serious roles. My favourite was her as Mrs Brandon in I didn't Know You Cared.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNvqUbuh5QQ

[Julie in Norfolk]

Always a fan of Liz Smith, as I am of anything written by Peter Tinniswood. I only watched her demise as Nana the other day and teared up.

[Marilyn]

Awwww"..we loved Nana from the Royale Family and often quote her line... " I only have a Sherry at Christmas, Champagne at weddings...etc".