Grim Reaper

So after the careful consideration of Ian Huntley, Ma><ine Carr and Ian Brady its good ol' British serial killer Harold Shipman who ends up dead in his cell. So near and yet so far!

I reckon Andy Fordham would definitely fail on the famousness test. He doesnt even play in the proper Darts World Championships on Sky does he?? I do have to agree that he does look huge on his website and if Darts is made an Olympic sport will surely be the most unhealthy Olympian ever. I dont think DeathList has inlcuded a Darts player since Leighton Rees in 1991 and he took until 2003 to die so its not as easy to hit the checkout with these guys as you might think.

Well that is disappointing news indeed. I think we were expecting the effects of his stroke a couple of years ago to start to take its toll by now. Perhaps we should have picked his son in law instead - According to the report below he is on hunger strike, living in his Land Rover outside his estranged wife's house and has vowed to die in jail. http://www.news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=11742004

Well Arnold theres no doubt you made a strong case from Emlyn. Im starting to think that the beverages at the DeathList committee meeting were a little on the strong side as Im not sure there was a suitably vigourous case made for Mr Hughes. So its looks like this year for the first time we're actually hoping for a few key survivors - Emyln Hughes, Patrick Moore and Maggie Thatcher. The demise of any of those in 2004 is going to lead to a rather messy inquest into DeathList committee procedures!

I agree its a long shot - but has Jacko got any cash left now to be able to pay anyone off?? Its just possible that this could be turning point and the start of the slippery slope that ends in his demise

This is indeed a long shot but I note that his show has at least been a victim with the BBC announcing they are taking it off air. His best quote (which appeared in the always level-headed Sunday Express) appears to be one describing Arabs as “suicide bombers, limb amputators, women repressors”. You cant beat a bit of generalisation Silky!

Stayin Alive (or are you just Stayin to your friends?) I think you need a bit more train-ing to improve your Ronnie Biggs jokes. Im sure his departure is not now long away. Good news is that Ronnie has used the return portion of his hospital ticket and yesterday was readmitted this time with "dehydration and vomiting". That description reminds me of an evening with Mr Stats and others many years ago!

Good spot Crispy! A spokesman apparently says: "The initial diagnosis is a suspected heart attack with very heavy pneumonia" - Sounds like it could be a winning combination

Thanx Barry - Ive correct the site now.

Ronnie - DeathList has never been a young person's game - Im still waiting for Stats to work out the average age of people on the list since it began. No doubt it has increased over the years but then so has the strike rate. Would prefer say 3 deaths out of 50 from a list of 50 years olds, or 14 out of 50 from a list like we have? I vote for the latter everytime. DeathList was getting a bit boring in the old days before it started to get refined and only had a couple of deaths a year. Hurrah for the oldies! Incidently despite Derby Dead Pool's great rules for rewarding younger deaths our top 20 would have finished 2nd in their competition last year.

OK - I'll obviously have to carry a fair portion of the responsibility for the Patrick Moore omission - but Stats you did have a chance to check my workings before the end of the year - although I agree it was a rather brief period. Of course if Moore makes it through the year then I'll have to accept all of the praise! Reaper

I think we'll be Asking Aspel for several years to come. The tabloid headlines make it sound worse than it is - The Guardian says "my doctor tells me my life isn't threatened by it" - Doesnt sound like a top DL candidate to me.

Excellent work Stayin Alive - I knew a picture of Worsnip would be hunted down eventually!

Good point Arnold - I thought we had an extensive committee meeting but I dont recall a debate about Patrick Moore. I fear this could be a nasty oversight. Catherine - there was some debate about Sister Lucia but there was a question mark by some of the committee about whether she was famous enough. Because of that she was voted down. No doubt time will tell if that was a mistake.

Have a good new year Pixie! 2004 clearly starts at midnight UK time, so if Ronnie gets confused and falls under your wheels in the last fews hours of 2003 US time thats a success for the 2004 list! The list should update at midnight according to the time on the UK-based server (I think) so the list is live at that point. Therefore you can feel free to put the pedal to the metal when u spot Ronnie (the greatest US president by the way )

Haha - well spotted Billy! This was also noted at the DeathList committee meeting earlier this week Cheers

Calm down Stats - a valid point is made - even if a little enthusiastically And anyway - who said this wasnt the best DeathList?? A 28% success rate this year from a field of 50 is a world class performance - particulalry with the restrictions we have on fame and repeats from previous year. When you fancy churning out some stats how about average age of those on the list each year. I suspect the age has increased over the years - although youngsters like Barry Sheene and Warren Zevon may have bucked that trend this year.

Wheels Assuming everything goes to plan 2004 list should be available just after midnight on 1 Jan (ie as soon as the new year starts).

Oops I'll take back all I said ! News just in that Bob has had his last Full House. Obviously his appearance with Anne Robinson made him look better than was the case.

Thanks for your contribution Big - this is a much discussed subject amongst the DeathList committee. The overiding objective of DeathList has always been to get the greatest number of deaths even though it is always more pleasing to pick a younger death. All things being equal we'll pick the younger candidate but experience shows that the younger celebs are prety tough to pick off. No doubt the debate will continue.

Unlucky Arnold - nice tip though. The late December deaths are always bad news

Im not a big fan of the Saddam nomination either. That trial will take years and no guarantee of death at the end of it anyway. Pity because it would no doubt be a popular death.

Mr Sulks Not one to doubt your word but Ive have checked the full voting for the 2002. You voted for sixty five people, but not one of them was Gertrude Ederle. Your credibilty is looking suspect Mr Reaper

Nice work Stats - but youre right orginal version was difficult to read - Ive taken the liberty of tidying up your table so the important information is easily digested.

Whats news stories are you reading Pixie?? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3243930.stm OK the above article does say he had a double by-pass this year and then a bout of cancer - but apart from that its pretty upbeat. Do you reckon theres been a bit of postive spin on the Dennis' health?