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Cécile Aubry The French actress turned author, who wrote the popular 60's TV series "Belle and Sebastian" has died aged 81. As an actress, she had a major role starring alongside Tyrone Power and Orson Welles in Henry Hathaway's 1950 feature "The Black Rose"

Romania's fattest man "Doctors could perform liposuction on the body of Romania’s fattest man, who has died of multiple organ failure, so he can fit into his coffin. Family and friends of Cristian Capatanescu — who weighed around 62 stone — say they cannot afford a larger reinforced box to bury him in. So they want to squeeze him into a normal coffin — and have the parts of him removed through the surgery cremated."

Gilly Coman The actress, who played Aveline Boswell in "Bread" has died of a suspected heart attack aged 54*. After she left to have a baby, her part was taken over by one of Sean Bean's many missuses, Melanie Hill. * IMDB has her born 10 Feb 1960, but it would appear she was born late 1955, so article is probably correct.

Macka is "absolutely delighted" to be appreciated by Auntie. Dead Thanks for all the wonderful music, mate!

British diplomat Marrack Goulding has died aged 73. The former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, he also headed their peacekeeping operations between 1986 and 1993.

David Fanshawe The composer who will be remembered mainly for "African Sanctus", one of the most performed large-scale choral works of the 20th century, has died aged 68. I was surprised to hear on Radio 4's "Last Words" yesterday afternoon that he also composed the score to the TV shows "When the Boat Comes In" and "Flambards" as well as the film "Tarka the Otter". Another of his works was "Requiem for the Children of Aberfan". He travelled the world seeking out indigenous music from many different cultures and incorporating it into his own scores. Always an enthusiastic and engaging character when seen on TV. He will be sorely missed. Bio

Canadian Jim Bohlen, one of the founders of Greenpeace, has died aged 84.

No wonder her and Lenny have split! Will you be selling you story to the News of the World then? I'll go for Ronald Allen - easy option, he died in 91. Seriously though, I've taken the next easiest option and gone with Coltrane. Neither he nor French is likely to be bringing out an exercise video soon. Rik Mayall's recent interview on Radio 5 on a Saturday (or maybe Sunday) morning was interesting to say the least, I think they must have been very close to taking him off the air! He's a very combustible fellow in more ways than one, but as long as he keeps away from quad bikes I think he will outlive big Robbie. Edmondson strikes me of being more able to keep his private and stage persona separate. Keith Allen seemed a similar creature to Mayall in my view, likely to turn up for the "wrong" reasons in the tabloids from time to time, but now he's becoming a more serious actor, he seems to have got his head screwed on.

Charles "Spen" King "CHARLES “Spen” King, the man who designed the Range Rover but loathed “pompous, self-important” drivers who used the 4x4 for school runs has died, aged 85. The death of the motoring pioneer whose work gave birth to the most significant Land Rover of them all came just days after the Range Rover celebrated its 40th birthday. He had played a huge role in the West Midland car industry, and was also a key figure in the development of the Austin Metro and the Maestro. ... ... The latest Range Rover was launched by Victoria Beckham last week." That last bit was probably the last straw for him then!

Already reported here. I know you're always a week or so behind on that fair isle of yours!

David Hone, 61 stone, now he's gone

He's dead now, I guess that mountain will stay Vaughan free. I wonder if he was anybody's DDP choice. Dr Alf Howard AM "The last surviving member of the 1929-31 British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) has died aged 104 years old."

Cesare Siepi The Italian bass, who made nearly 500 appearances at the New York Met has, has died aged 87.

Mohammed Oudeh a.k.a. Abu Daoud, leader of the Black September movement, "key planner of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack that killed 11 Israeli athletes", has died in Syria aged 73.

Goeffrey Hutchings Dead aged 71 after a short illness. Very sad news. Most recently seen as Mel in "Benidorm", but also well known for his role in the Michael Gambon version of "Maigret" amongst many others.

Serigne Bara Falilou Mbacke The spiritual chief of and leader Senegal's Halibut brotherhood has died aged 85.

Bernie the Bolt One of the men who loaded the crossbow on "The Golden Shot" has died aged 72. Not called "Bernie" at all, just John Baker, he gained huge celebrity status on the massively popular TV show which ran in the 60s and 70s. There were two other "Bernies", Alan Bailey and Derek Young.

Nicolas Hayek The Lebanese-born founder of the Swatch group has died aged 82. He was originally brought in as a business consultant to oversee the liquidation of two major Swiss watch makers in the face of competition from the Far East, and ended up engineering the foundation of the now famous brand name.

Benny Powell Trombone player with the Count Basie Orchestra, who also played with Lionel Hampton, has died aged 80.

Algirdas Brazauskas Lithuania's first post-independence President has died aged 77.

Mohamed Mzali The former Tunisian PM (1980 to 1986) has died aged 85. He was also a longtime member of the International Olympic Committee.

Robin Mortimer The founder of RPM Motorsport "has died after allegedly taking part in a sadomasochistic sex session with a woman who claims to be “Europe’s most perverted dominatrix". ... or you can go with the alternative version: "It is understood that Robin died of natural causes in his sleep at a hotel in Belgium while travelling with his team en route to Spa Francorchamps."

Pennant Roberts dead at 69. Directed episodes of "Blakes 7", as well as a number of episodes of "Dr Who", "Tenko", Howard's Way", "Survivors" and "Juliet Bravo".

Tam White The Scottish bluesy / folksy type, actor and stonemason has died aged 68.

And he's just been doing the dropping for his mum, dying at his home in Hale. You know he did. He really did. Thank You. You beat me to it with that one, Little Frank! I too saw him live, supporting "The Icicle Works" if memory serves. And let us not forget, he was also responsible for "I'm in Love with the Girl on the Manchester Virgin Megastore Checkout Desk" and the confusingly titled "I can't get 'Bouncing Babies' by 'The Teardrop Explodes' " in the guise of the lead singer of "The Freshies". R.I.P. Frank / Chris.