VSBfromH

Raymond Leblanc, head of Lombard International Publishing House, has died aged 92. He was instrumental in launching the "Tintin" comic books.

Former NZ test cricketer and captain Merv Wallace has died aged 91. Although he was considered one of the finest batsmen of his time, he didn't have the most illustrious test career, although he did captain the side twice.

Rugby league legend Eric Ashton MBE has died. He was life president and a formar successful coach and chairman of St Helens. "He made 571 appearances for Wigan and won 26 caps for Great Britain including 15 as captain. He captained Great Britain in their 1963 Ashes winning series in Australia." Those 2 clubs play each other today, so no doubt there will be a respectful silence in honour of this great player.

Where's that person who said we'd not had any major deaths for a while... Captain Birdseye dead! Another Brinsworth House resident apparently. "A poll in 1983 named Captain Birdseye as the most recognised captain in the world after Captain Cook"

Macca backs kangaroos Apparently he's "been unveiled as the face of a campaign to protect kangaroos in Australia" ... well he could use those jowly cheeks of his to incubate a couple of orphaned Joeys!

Here's a link

From the "Boston Hearld". I can just hear the subsequent conversation: "Paul Baron? ... no, you idiot, I said he was a "Porn Baron!!!" "

Carl Hoddle, Glenn's kid brother, who was a trainee at Spurs and also played for Barnet and Leyton Orient, has died of a suspected heart attack aged 40.

Former Aussie test batsman "Nervous" Norm O'Neill has died aged 71. Played 42 tests averaging 45.55 runs per test.

Robin Moore, author of "The French Connection" and "The Green Berets," has died after a long illness aged 82. Another author, Stephen Marlowe, has also died.

Scott Halpin has died "Scot Halpin, who had his 15 minutes of fame literally one night back on November 20, 1973 drumming for The Who, has died at the age of 54. At the time, 19 year old Halpin was attending a concert for The Who in San Francisco when then drummer Keith Moon passed out during 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and was carried off. But the show must go on … and it did. The Who performed without a drummer through 'Magic Bus' and 'See me Feel Me' until Pete Townshend asked the audience "Can anyone play the drums?" Halpin, who could play drums but hadn't in a year, grabbed the chance for his 15 minutes of fame and took to the stage."

Prolific US actor David Groh has died of kidney cancer aged 68. Will be remembered by many (well, me anyway) as Rhoda's boyfriend / husband Joe in the sitcom "Rhoda", from whom she later separated then got a divorce. IMDB entry

The original "supergrass" Bertie Smalls, survived having a price on his head for more than 30 years to die peacefully at home aged 72. "At one 1974 Old Bailey trial where he gave evidence, members of his former gang pointed their fingers at him like guns and sang: "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when." " ...aah, that was sweet of them!

Frank Windsor "Watt?" I hear you say. Not surprised particularly, just that he's been off the radar for some time. Now in his 81st year! I see a couple of people have picked him on the DDP.

Verita Thompson, who was Humphrey Bogart's mistress for 20 years, has died aged 92. "According to sources, Bogart gave Thompson one of his hair pieces before he died - and she kept the toupee by her bedside until her death"

Heard this on Radio 3 driving to work. She would have been 106 in March, so makes Lady Barbirolli look like a spring chicken!

Broadcaster, writer, humourist and journalist Miles Kington has died aged 66. A well known face on TV a few years back, though not seen much recently. He wrote a column in the "Independent", the last of which was printed in yesterday's edition. He was a renowned authority on jazz. He always appeared to have a very cheery outlook on life, so will be sadly missed I'm sure.

Rick Stein's wine merchant pal Bill Baker has died aged 53. He featured a number of times on Rick's various programs and gained infamy "after he suggested Rick add some wheels and a motor to Chalky when the dog died". Looking at the size of the guy, he was obviously something of a ticking time-bomb! Go get him, Chalky!

Christian Brando, troubled son of Marlon, has died aged 49: Link

Heavens! I should have had a lucky dip on the lottery tonight! Still, the dear lady was 97, bless her. I'm feeling quite smug looking at my sudden surge up the DDP table. I'm sure it won't last! Genuinely sad that she won't be around for the Hallé's 150th birthday celebrations next week. I'm sure she'll get a well-deserved mention.

Actress Suzanne Pleshette has died aged 70. She was the widow of "Mork and Mindy's" Tom Poston, who died last year, and the on-screen wife of Bob Newhart

Veteran actor Allan Melvin, who was Corporal Henshaw in "Bilko", and also starred in "The Brady Bunch" has died aged 84. Update: Just reading that he also voiced Bluto in the "Popeye" cartoons!

Jump jockey Bobby Beasley, who rode Nicolaus Silver to victory in the Grand National in 1961 ("the only grey to triumph in the race last century") has died aged 72.

The world's oldest living person is Edna Parker. The world's oldest person is Jeanne Calment, if that clears up the nomenclature. I suppose that was an opening to be witty, but it's too early here. Once we pass noon, it'll be too late. I take your point, CP, but the article states "Bluey, who died in 1939, remains the oldest living dog on record", so I'm still confused - surely the use of the word "living" is superfluous!

Bruiser, has died "six weeks short of becoming the world’s oldest living dog". Not to sure why they had to use the word "living" in the above sentence - "the world's oldest dead dog" would not make much sense. "Bluey", the title-holder died in 1939.