VSBfromH

Simon MacCorkindale The actor and husband of Susan George has died aged 58.

Huddy 6 The former member of the rap group Harlem World has died in a car crash aged 33. "They released their first and only album, The Movement on March 9, 1999, which would make it to #11 on the Billboard 200 and be certified gold the following month" I have all of their albums apart from their first one.

She's finally got her wings, lovey.

BBC obit... A unique hit for Gawn...dead..planted. "Burke leaves behind 21 children and 90 grandchildren" "Loving people," he said at a recent performance in London, "is what I do."

Tamworth Butch Bacon butty, anyone?

Tlhoriso James "Hitler" Sobi Founder member of South Africa's Orlando Pirates FC has died aged 86. Following the death of Sam "Baboon Shepherd" Shabangu three years ago, he was the last surviving founder member. Not a well known name over here, but I just thought how refreshing it is to see such nicknames as opposed to "Wazza", "Lamps", "Stevie G" and "Carra".

Milka Planinc The former Yugoslavian Premier has died aged 86. She was the first female premier of a communist country.

W.T.F? indeed! However, I heard George Michael was mulling over whether to contact Andrew about reforming Wham! when he gets out. Maybe these are the lyrics to the planned comeback single? Just needs a suitably upbeat tune. I've already purchased a Hawaiian shirt in eager anticipation...

Steve Lee The lead vocalist of Swiss rockers Gotthard has died in a motorcycle accident near Las Vegas.

I didn't see it myself, but I am told that Sky were covering the story, and announced that they were shortly going to be showing a clip of Leslie Phillips giving his memories of Norman. As they went to the next story, they ran a line underneath reading "Norman Wisdom dies, Leslie Phillips next"

Peter Warr The former Lotus team boss has died of a heart attack aged 72. He was responsible for hiring Ayrton Senna as a driver in place of Nigel Mansell, against the wishes of the main team sponsor, John Players.

Moss Keane The Irish Rugby Union great has died aged 62 after suffering from bowel cancer.

Stephen J Cannell Writer-producer whose credits included "The Rockford Files" and "The A-Team" has died aged 69. "During his TV heyday, Cannell became familiar to viewers from the ID that followed each of his shows: He was seen in his office typing on his Selectric before blithely ripping a sheet of paper from the typewriter carriage, whereupon it morphed into the C-shaped logo of Cannell Entertainment Inc."

Oscar nominated actor Joe Mantell has died aged 94 after a long illness. He was best known for his roles alongside Ernest Borgnine in "Marty" and as Jack Nicholson's police partner in "Chinatown".

Just done a quick check on IMDB which would appear to indicate that of the regular cast (those who appeared in 10 episodes or more) the only surviving member is 81 year old Terry Carter who appeared in 14 episodes as Private Sugarman. IMDB notes "he was the world's first black TV anchor newscaster".

Arthur Penn Director most famous for "Bonnie and Clyde" has died the day after his 88th birthday.

Good point re the coverage Spade. But some of this is hard to call. A few of us around here have been disappointed by picking people who's health - mental or physical - is very suspect and covered by the media, only to seem them ignored when they go. I have a hunch Claire Blair WILL get coverage. I think suicidal reality television stars are probably more likely to get a flleeting mention than some of the terminally ill 'ordinary' people whose brave battles make tabloid stories. "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares" (US Version) participant Joe Cerniglia has been found drowned in the Hudson; suicide suspected. *At least from the Daily Mail The Telegraph's headline got me all excited: Gordon Ramsay TV chef drowns in Hudson Apparently Ramsay had told him his restaurant would "swim down the ------- Hudson" - Mystic Gordon, eh?!

Jure Robič "Jure Robič, the Slovenian cyclist who won the Race Across America five times has died in a traffic colision at the the age of 45"

Grace Boyd a.k.a. Grace Bradley, Hollywood star of the 1930s and widow (5th wife*) of William Boyd, the actor who played "Hopalong Cassidy". Well done to anyone who may have chosen her - she died on her 97th birthday! * They met on a blind date and were married for 35 years from 1937 until his death in 1972. Prior to that, he had gone through 4 wives in the space of 18 years!

Gennady Yanayev "Gennady Yanayev, who briefly declared himself acting President of the Soviet Union during an unsuccessful 1991 coup attempt, has died in Moscow" aged 72.

Composer Geoffrey Burgon gone aged 69. Most famous for his film and TV scores, which included music for "Brideshead Revisited", "The Chronicles of Narnia", "Doctor Who", "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" and "Monty Python's Life Of Brian".

Bye, bye Betty's hot pot " 'Corrie' bosses are reportedly planning to take Betty's hot pot off the menu in the Rover's Return. Producers are phasing out the iconic meal because they are concerned that 90-year-old actress Betty Driver, who plays barmaid Betty, is set to retire from the show, reports The Sun. Viewers of the soap will know that Betty has always refused to reveal the recipe to her dish so it will have to be dropped from the menu once she leaves. ... Sally Webster's herby lamb cobbler is reportedly the current favourite to replace it." Are William Hill taking bets on that last bit?!

Well, this one is obviously TOTALLY genuine, I'm getting stratight onto it! The grammar is absolutely spot on, as you can see for yourself: UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION UNIT, IN AFFILIATION WITH WORLD BANK. Attention: Friend, How are you today? Hope all is well with you and family? We have been having a meeting for the passed 7 months which ended2 days ago with the then secretary to the UNITED NATIONS. This email is to all the people that have bee , and people that have had an unfinished transaction or international businesses that failed due to Government problems etc. We found your name in our list and that is why we are contacting you, this have been agreed upon and have been signed. You are advised to contact Mr. Jim Ovia of our paying center in Africa, as he is our representative in Nigeria, contact him immediately for your Cheque/ International Bank Draft of USD$500,000.00This funds are in a Bank Draft for security purpose ok? so he will send it to you and you can clear it in any bank of your choice. Therefore, you should send him your full Name and telephone number your correct mailing address where you want him to send the Draft to you. Contact Mr. Jim Ovia immediately for your Cheque: Person to Contact: Mr. Jim Ovia Email: jimoviazenithbank112@gala.net Phone: +2348060692504 Thanks and God bless you and your family. Hoping to hear from you as soon as you cash your Bank Draft. Making the world a better place

Merle Haggard will be at a concert in January. Quite the accomplishment, less than two months after lung cancer surgery... will be interesting to see if it happens... Merle Haggard has just cancelled the remainder of his tour due to a "respiratory illness". Worth keeping an eye on, given his medical history. Last time I saw him, he was looking... exhausted? unwell? depleted? damn, what is the word I'm looking for?!

Arrow Soca artist A.K.A. Alphonsus Cassell, who had a massive hit with "Hot, Hot, Hot" is feeling cold, cold, cold at the age of 60.