Gooseberry Crumble

British novelist Alexander McCall Smith, who writes the popular ' The Number 1 ladies Detective agency ' series, celebrates his 74th birthday today.

https://people.com/movies/sylvester-stallone-wife-jennifer-flavin-break-up-after-25-years-of-marriage/ Sylvester Stallones wife model Jennifer Flavin has filed for divorce after 25 years of marriage.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-former-eastenders-star-matt-27814565 Former EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo announces he has become a father to twins .

You don't want to try your luck with Adam now he is single?! You are not tempted?!

On this day one year ago in 2021, English Musician Charlie Watts AKA the legendary drummer of band The Rolling Stones, died aged 80.

Brazilian novelist Paulo Coelho, celebrates his 75th birthday today. He wrote the best selling and award much acclaimed novel The Alchemist (1988) , as well as The Devil and Miss Prym (2000) and The Pilgrimage (1987). Hollywood actor Will Smith bought the rights for the novel to be adapted into a Hollywood film but alas the projects status is unknown after numerous delays

I wonder if this trend will continue until the end of year or beyond and if it is replicated in other countries like the US and Australia?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11139255/Adam-Peaty-SPLITS-girlfriend-Eiri-Munro-three-years.html British Olympic gold swimming sensation Adam Peaty has split from his partner and mother of his child after three years.

On this day in 1926 italian actor Rudolph Valentino died of sepsis aged 31- probably as a result of complications of appendicitis and stomach ulcers. He starred in a number of silent movies in Hollywood including The Four horsemen of the apolcalypse and The Eagle. He was nicknamed the Latin lover and had a huge reputation as a womaniser in Hollywood.

@MariNisia My absolute favourite work of Barbara Eden is as Leeann De la Vega in Dallas - JRs vengeful old flame. Absolutely delicious!

On this day in 2010 professional american bodybuilder Bruce Randall, who won the Mr Universe contest in 1959, died aged 79. He famously slimmed down from 425 pounds to 223 pounds after intense and extensive dieting and training.

Love your optimism!

Golden era Hollywood actress Vera Miles, a particular deadpooling favourite of mine who continues to defy my predictions, celebrates her 93rd birthday today.

Awful and incredibly selfish.

On this day in 2012 English novelist and childrens writer Nina Bawden died aged 87. She wrote over 55 books, mostly aimed at children , and had huge success with many being adapted by the BBC for childrens television drama. Nina was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1987 and the publicly voted Lost man Booker Prize in 2010. She is one of the very few writers who has served as a Judge on the Booker Prize panel and also made the shortlist at some point. Bawden also was the recipient of a Golden Pen award. Her many books include On the run(1964), The Witchs daughter (1966), Carries War (1973), The Peppermint pig (1975), Circles of deceit (1987- Nominated for a Booker Prize) and The Outside Child (1989). So a great deal of career success and accomplishment but much heartache, personal woes and tragedy in her personal life. Nina married twice. She had two sons by her first marriage, one of whom Nicholas committed suicide in 1981 . In 2002 Nina was badly injured in the Potters bar rail crash .Her husband a former managing director of the BBC World Service Austen Kark, died in the crash.. Ninas testimony about the crash and its causes formed a huge part of the David Hare play 'The Permanent way' about the disaster. In March 2012 just five months before her own death , Perdita -Ninas daughter by her second marriage died, becoming the second of her three children she outlived.

I think a hazy shade of winter fairly soon is more likely though!

Debbi Peterson, musician and drummer with American pop rock band The Bangles, celebrates her 61st birthday today.

Good shout

On this day 55 years ago in 1967, american biologist and scientific researcher Gregory Goodwin Pincus ,who co-invented the combined oral contraceptive pill, died aged 64. It is no understatement to say that what he co created revolutionised humanity especially in the western world.

Retired professional English snooker player Steve Davis celebrates his 65th birthday today. American television producer , director and writer David Chase who amongst other shows wrote and produced The Sopranos and Alfred Hitchcock presents, celebrates his 77th birthday today.

On this day in 1951 English Composer and conductor Constant Lambert died aged 45. He was the founding music director of Royal Ballet and was a key influential figure in establishing English ballet as an artistic movement. He died from pneumonia but also suffered from undiagnosed diabetes complicated by alcoholism.

Liverpool born British Canadian actress Kim Cattrall, most famous for her role as Samantha in hit US TV series Sex and the city turns 66 today. Retired Rugby Union England International player Mike Weston celebrates his 84th birthday today.

Stella Stevens is seen as being on borrowed time. There are rumours about Robert Wagner too but the Stella talk is stronger.

I used to read Libby Purves. Thought she was decent enough. Times Radio is excellent on politics

I can neither confirm or deny!!