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So, following the smackdown I received, I went and ran some numbers. This is the proportion of people aged 90 or more at the time they appeared on the list over the past decade. 2019 - 60% 2018 - 62% 2017 - 58% 2016 - 56% 2015 - 64% 2014 - 62% 2013 - 62% 2012 - 52% 2011 - 56% 2010 - 50% I'd call that inconclusive, although clearly my perception was wrong. 2019 certainly is right in the middle of the range of the past few years, but one could make the case for creeping inflation since 2010. Interestingly, 2012 was the last year that none of the top 5 was aged over 86 and we lost the entire top 3 that year.

I was hoping for a more data-driven response, although I will certainly cop to being a forum noob. It seems that the list in 2019 has a higher proportion of 90+ year olds than in previous years. Given that he success rate last year was slightly lower than if you threw a bunch of darts at an issue of the Radio Times, perhaps some out of the (satin-lined wooden) box thinking is called for.

Does this year's list have the highest proportion of over 90s ever in the history of this endeavor? It feels that way. #lowhangingfruit