Gooseberry Crumble

On this day in 2015 retired English footballer and manager Bobby Campbell died aged 78. He aged for Liverpool from 1958-1961, Portsmouth from 1961-1966 and Aldershot from 1966-1967. In terms of management he twice managed football teams in Kuwait and in the English football leagues he managed Fulham, Portsmouth and latterly managed Chelsea between 1988 and 1991.

American actor Ethan Hawke celebrates his 52nd birthday today.

On this day two years ago in 2020, australian actress Joy Westmore, best known for playing prison warden Officer Joyce Barry in cult aussie tv soap Prisoner Cell Block H, died aged 88. On this day 35 years ago in 1987, Irish radio and television presenter Eamonn Andrews died aged 64. He was primarily employed in the UK and probably his biggest claim to fame was presenting hit tv show This is your life were surprised celebrities were reunited on television with family, friends and colleagues in a life tribute.

Canadian superstar , singer and guitarist Bryan Adams celebrates his 63rd birthday today. American actress, Oscar winner (the youngest ever as she won before she was even a teenager) and former child star Tatum O'Neal, celebrates her 59th birthday today.

On this day in 2015 british political lobbyist Ian Greer died aged 82. He was involved in the cash for questions political scandal in the 1990s when he was accused of bribing two Conservative mps, including Neil Hamilton, to ask questions in the house of commons on behalf of Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed. The scandal did huge damage to John Majors governments and the wider Conservative partys reputation. Greer unsuccessfully sued The Guardian over the published claims.

On this day 14 years ago in 2008 prolific american author of science fiction and techno thrillers filmmaker Michael Crichton died aged 66. Undoubtedly his most famous novel is Jurassic Park.

On this day in 1995 british singer, comedienne and actress Marti Caine died of cancer aged 50. Her big break famewise came about when she won the New faces talent show

Oscar winning American actor Matthew McConaughey is celebrating his 53rd birthday today. American comedienne and actress Kathy Griffin celebrates turning 62 today.

On this day exactly twenty years ago in 2002, Lonnie Donegan Scottish skiffle singer, musician and songwriter who was referred to as the King of Skiffle, died aged 71. On this day 56 years ago in 1966 british composer Eric Spear died aged 58. He created the tunes behind a number of films but by far his best known work is the themetune to Coronation Street.

Jacqui Smith , former British Home Secretary under Gordon Browns Labour government and the UKs first female Home Secretary celebrates her 60th birthday today. Swedish actor Dolph Lundgren, who found considerable success in Hollywood especially in the 1980s and 1990s, celebrates his 65th birthday today. The hunky blonde swede has starred in films such as Universal Soldier, (1992) Rocky IV (1985) aa a Russian boxing opponent of Rocky, The Punisher (1989) Aquaman(2018) and Masters of the Universe (1987) as He Man.

On this day 24 years ago in 1998 , Scottish child actor Vincent Winter died aged 50 in Surrey. As a youngster he starred in The Kidnappers (1953) (titled The Little Kidnappers in the US)with British actors Duncan Macrae and Jean Anderson- a role for which he won a academy juvenile award, Greyfriars Bobby and Almost Angels. As an adult he switched to working behind the scenes on film sets from production manager to general film crew. The films he worked on behind the scenes as an adult include Indianna Jones and the temple of doom, Superman one two and three, the film adaptation of Jackie Collins novel The Stud , Wind in the Willows , James Bond film For your eyes only as well as some episodes of TV show Magum PI. He died of a heart attack.

The former Queen of Spain, Queen Sofia , whose son Felipe is now the Spanish monarch, celebrates her 84th birthday today. American actress and lung cancer survivor Stefanie Powers celebrates her 80th birthday today.

On this day 70 years ago in 1952,american actress, singer and dancer Dixie Lee ,died aged 42 of ovarian cancer. She was the first wife of Bing Crosby and it is said that she initially tempered his problem drinking which in part arose from being a Hollywood it couple constantly invited to parties and social events. Latterly however it is said Dixie is the one who developed a more serious alcohol addiction problem. No surprise that this dynamic created problems within the marriage and strong rumours that Bing was at times on the verge of asking for a divorce. Her speciality was singing and dance and a number of films she starred in seemed to reflect that. Manhattan Love Song (1934)and Love in Bloom(1935) are some of Dixies film credits.

Two American actors who had their major success on television celebrate their birthdays today. American actor Penn Badgley, best known for his role of Dan Humphrey in hit US teen drama Gossip Girl in the early 2000s, celebrates his 36th birthday today. American actor Robert Foxworth , probably best known for playing Chase Gioberti in 1980s glossy primetime US soap Falcon Crest, celebrates his 81st birthday today.

My understanding from people I am in contact with in the US is that most people are not talking about or interested in Harry and Meghan-with quite a few not knowing who they are. They don't seem to be happening organically but rather by trying to foist themselves onto people with paid for PR getting them media coverage. They may not be unpopular in the US but rather met with a lot of indifference.

On this day in 1993, 29 years ago , up-and-coming promising young american actor River Phoenix died aged just 23 from a drugs overdose in Hollywoods The Viper Room nightclub. His most enduring and iconic film according to the majority of film critics is My Own Private Idaho in which he starred with Keanu Reeves.

On this day in 2020 scottish actor , the one and only Sean Connery died aged 90. Notably played the legendary iconic film role of british spy 007 James Bond and was voted and lauded as the sexiest man in the world innumerable times.

American rapper Robert Winkle, best known by his stage name Vanilla Ice, celebrates turning 55 today . He will also be better known to some for dating Madonna for around eight months in 1991-1992 and posing for some very raunchy photos with his then superstar girlfriend in a book called sex. American musician Bob Siebenberg, who is best known as the drum and percussion player in british progressive rock band Supertramp, celebrates turning 73 today.

Apparently she was also disobliging of Boris Johnson...

On this day 22 years ago in the year 2000 american television and radio personality, comedian , actor and musician , Steve Allen died after a minor traffic accident aged 79. He had jokingly made light of another driver accidentally hitting the side of his car causing a small amount of damage as oh the things people will do to get my autograph! But it had caused an injury to his heart that if left untreated would be fatal. He simply went for a lie down and a sleep at home not realising he had suffered a serious internal injury of any kind. Steve achieved a national level of fame in the US when he became the co-creator and first presenter of The Tonight show- Americas first late night television talkshow.

American actor Henry Winkler , best known as the Fonz in legendary US tv show Happy Days, celebrates turning 77 today. American actor Harry Hamlin who has starred in a number of hit tv shows most notably LA Law, Veronica Mars and Mad Men, celebrates his 71st birthday today.

Slagging of colleagues?

Mail on Sunday reporting that earlier this year Liz Trusses private mobile phone was hacked by the russians and Boris Johnson put a news blackout on the story.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11368003/Meet-Rishi-Sunaks-new-mouthpiece-ITVs-UK-mother-two-news-chief-Amber-Botton.html Rishi Sunak hires as his new communications chief someone from ITV who was part of a team that won an award for its coverage and exclusives on partygate that arguably was instrumental in bringing down Boris Johnson!

I think 92 year old legendary gossip columnist Cindy Adams who writes for the New York Post is worth consideration and maybe a punt by deadpoolers.