Gooseberry Crumble

American actor Scott Baio, known amongst other things for starring in legendary sitcom Happy Days playing Chachi , (1977-1984) celebrates his 62nd birthday today. Also British actor Rupert Penry-Jones, who has starred in films such as Woody Allens Match Point (2005) with Scarlett Johansson and Matthew Goode, The Four Feathers (2002) alongside Heath Ledger, Virtual Sexuality (1999) and British TV series Spooks and The Drowning (2021) turns 52 today.

On this day in 1974 american novelist Jacqueline Susann died aged 56 from breast cancer. Her most well known novel was the iconic bestseller Valley of the dolls (1966) which was made into a Hollywood Blockbuster the next year starring amongst others Patty Duke, Susan Hayward and Sharon Tate. A story of three women wishing to make it big in the entertainment industry but being propped up and addicted to barbiturates in the process. Other successful novels included The Love Machine (1969) and Once is not enough (1973). Jacqueline was first diagnosed with cancer in 1962 - this time breast cancer. After a full mastectomy she revealed she made a pact with God that if he allowed her to live at least ten years, she would use her time left to show she had the talent, gifts and ability to become a best selling author. Her illness also gave her a sense of urgency to make as much money as possible from her books to secure a good future for her then 16 year old son. Cancer did return in the early 1970s, this time lung cancer, although according to Jacquelines husband there was at the time a big disagreement between doctors if it was a new primary cancer or a secondary one. Sadly this encounter with cancer She was not to survive and Jacqueline died 48 years ago in 1974 aged 56.

Legendary American author Stephen King celebrates his 75th birthday today.

On this day in 1999 Raisa Gorbachev, wife of the former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, died aged 67 from cancer She had suffered health issues since 1991, actually suffering a stroke on her husbands last day in office after a coup attempt forced him from office Gossip had it that she struggled to connect with american first lady Nancy Reagan and their meetings were frosty to put it mildly. They were opposites in so many ways like chalk and cheese. The speculation about their poor relationship gained credibility when it was revealed in a magazine article that a group of US female journalists once took an extended lunch with Nancy Reagan a while before . They felt a bit cheap morally afterwards because they indulged Nancy whilst she sat around for hours slagging of and gossiping about Raisa Gorbachev and being incredibly bitchy about her- this was either when it was known that Raisa was very ill or just after she had died. The female journalists enjoyed hearing the gossip but believed Nancys timing and full on bitchiness was too much, heartless and they felt unease afterwards for partaking in it.

American actor Gary Cole celebrates his 66th birthday today. His most famous role is as late night Radio presenter Jack 'Nighthawk' Killian in early 1990s hit drama 'Midnight Caller" who had a phone in show for listeners that often formed the basis for each episodes story as a troubled soul rang in.

Which one do you reckon is most likely to make the list?

I wonder if the speculation is right that Lady Gabriella fainting a few days ago is linked to her being pregnant? Will be points for me in the birthing pool game if she is!

Sounds like you had your work cut out then penetrating their brain cells!

Legendary Italian actress and beauty Sophia Loren celebrates her 88th birthday today.

I wonder if the committee would go for a royal double or quartet next year? The Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent? I do agree their deaths are likely to be relatively clustered together but will it be next year?

Bless you @Octopus of Odstock I'm surprised Diana was so friendly with Michael Barrymore.

I have already posted comment about this up thread. My comment was based on my mistaken impression that the Daily Mail had covered the totality of the royal family branches. Yes that is her handsome son James Ogilvy father of the equally handsome Alex Ogilvy.

I may do some googling later.

I think it is a fairly safe bet that the late Queens 78 year old cousin The Duke of Gloucester does not need to trouble deadpoolers for at least a few years given his ability and seeming ease in walking/ marching for all that time and all those miles today. Very impressive .

Did that person have a low IQ??

Good suggestion. I take it you mean the full 2000 and not just this photo? I wonder how many people who attended Princess Dianas funeral or The Queen Mothers have passed away?

Oh I knew her grandkids were there I always look out for Alex Ogilvy! Gosh that is a big mishap by The Daily Mail!

Correct. Edited my other post as just realised the list from the Daily Mail shows Princess Alexandra did not attend the Westminster Abbey service as well as her sister in law The Duchess of Kent but Alexandra was seen at the Windsor service.

Maybe someone at the BBC reads or posts here....

The Duchess of Kent was definitely not at the first service going by this Daily Mail guest list breakdown of names Editing to highlight that Princess Alexandra was not at the Westminster Abbey Service eìther but she was at the Windsor Service.

Technically yes but it may have been unintentional by the author who my be oblivious to the implication.

Some twitter research shows this royal blogger, who many seem to think is on the reliable side, claiming or confirming she was absent due to health and mobility issues.

There was a female sitting with Duke of Kent and Princess Michael nbut the view was obscured and brief. So I couldn't make out if it was Princess Alexandra or her sister in law The Duchess of Kent.

Well not long to wait for the opportunity to look to see if she has made it to the Windsor service .

Is that the same Kate Williams? I think the CNN Kate Williams is a red haired royal historian and scholar?