Obitwatcher

Watching a programme made in 2021 (Manhunt series 2) and Jack Shepherd (now 84, then presumably 80-81) sounded fairly elderly and had put on weight. One to watch?

Barbara Leigh-Hunt reportedly died 16th September Barbara Leigh-Hunt obituary | Stage | The Guardian

Ignore post; see news has already been posted.

I may have missed a prior post of this but John Clegg of ‘It Ain’t Half Hot, Mum’ fame died on 2 August https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2024/08/22/john-clegg-actor-pianist-it-aint-half-hot-mum-obituary/ Relative of Nick, apparently

Trevor Burnard, historian (who taught me as it happens) died on 22 July. Guardian obit from 15/8 Clever and nice man. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/aug/14/trevor-burnard-obituary

Sir Rod Carnegie, mining magnate and climate change denialist 1932-2024 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roderick_Carnegie

Had occasion to look up Wendy Craig (ninety next year) and noted that she hasn't appeared in anything since 2019, nor seemingly been interviewed subsequently.

Assuming anyone can play, aged 70, in 1988?

Lawson seen in a wheelchair at a recent literary festival, according to Iain Dale in one of his (many) podcasts.

Toby Hadoke reports the death of Meg Wynn Owen earlier this year. Apologies that I can’t embed the tweet, but here is a link to the article which revealed her demise. A sad story: https://t.co/xZW1ikLWSy

Pre-eminent British political journalist and broadcaster Michael Cockerell is 82, and has a significant tremor in one hand in a recent filmed interview; a possibility for future years?

I can’t find mention elsewhere here, but Germaine Greer returned to Australia and put herself into aged care last year. Article is behind a paywall, but headline confirms https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/germaine-greers-life-as-an-agedcare-inmate/news-story/d8072017b7701420a65b498d275dd357?amp A thought for the future …

Happily not, apparently. Don't know how to embed tweets, but Toby has tweeted that his information was incorrect and John Atterbury still lives.

I couldn't find a page or references to the fine biographer Claire Tomalin, who will be ninety next June, and is married to Michael Frayn. Her most recent book is a biography of the young HG Wells (published last year). All her previous biographies of authors have taken in their whole lives, and so I wondered whether that was the original plan for this book, and abandoned due to failing powers/ill health of Tomalin.

Hilary Mantel dead aged 70 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/sep/23/hilary-mantel-author-wolf-hall-dies

The death of the Queen reminds me of the once ubiquitous Sarah Bradford, the royal biographer, whose most recent television appearances (none that I have seen post the death of the Queen), have seen her wearing a hat, which makes one wonder about cancer. I read that she is now 84; would she be a big enough name for DL? I'm sure the Times and Telegraph would carry obituaries, and she is also Viscountess Bangor, for what that's worth.

Eleanor Bron looked (to me at least) almost unrecognisable in her latest appearance on Midsomer Murders. Possible ill health? Will be sorry if so, as she is a fine actress.

Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, 81, sounds a bit frail giving this tribute to HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Never had a strong voice, but possibly worth consideration in future years.

Per Telegraph Obituaries this morning, British director Michael Apted of the 'Up' series has died aged 79 and pioneering journalist Katharine Whitehorn (I recommend her autobiography) has died at 92.

Perhaps they're not sufficiently well known outside the UK, but I'm sure the fine actors below would all merit obituaries and so I'm surprised they have been omitted from the list in the last couple of years: Dame Joan Plowright (Lady OIivier) Joss Ackland Colin Jeavons Peter Cellier John Nettleton Michael Jayston Peter Bowles Doreen Mantle

I have been doing some more thinking about potential names: From the world of British politics: Lord Robert Armstrong (ex UK Cabinet Secretary) Lady Marcia Falkender (former advisor to PM Harold Wilson) [86] Joe Haines [90] Bernard Ingham (Thatcher's press secretary) [86] Lord Norman Tebbit (Thatcher cabinet minister) [84 Lord Kenneth Baker (Ditto) [84] Lord Nigel Lawson (Chancellor of the Exchequer) Other: Sir Lenox Hewitt (Australian senior public servant, father of Blair cabinet minister Patricia Hewitt) [now 101] Tom Hughes (Australian attorney general in the Gorton government) [95] By 2020 it may, sadly, be time to consider some British theatrical dames: Patricia Routledge

I have been doing some more thinking about potential names: From the world of British politics: Lord Robert Armstrong (ex UK Cabinet Secretary) [91] (age at time of writing) Lady Marcia Falkender (former advisor to PM Harold Wilson) [86] Joe Haines [90] Bernard Ingham (Thatcher's press secretary) [86] Lord Norman Tebbit (Thatcher cabinet minister) [84] Lord Kenneth Baker (Ditto) [84] Lord Nigel Lawson (Chancellor of the Exchequer) [86] Other: Sir Lenox Hewitt (Australian senior public servant, father of Blair cabinet minister Patricia Hewitt) [now 101] Tom Hughes, QC (Australian attorney general in the Gorton government) [95] In light of June Whitfield's demise in Dec. 2018, it occurs to me that it may, sadly, be time to consider some British theatrical dames- (I have already mentioned Angela Lansbury and Joan Plowright): Patricia Routledge [89] The 1934 crowd Judi Dench Maggie Smith Eileen Atkins

Dear All, New to this forum- some thoughts below: HRH Duke of Edinburgh Billy Connolly Terrance Dicks (former script editor on Doctor Who) Dame Joan Plowright (Lady Olivier) Lady Pamela Hicks Bob Hawke Dame Angela Lansbury Lady Avon (Clarissa Eden) Lord Douglas Hurd Jill Knight Barry Cryer Nicholas Parsons