The Watcher

Jean Marsh (b 1934) was divorced from Jon Pertwee (d 1996) an amazing 65 years ago.

A widow for 35 years and only 7 years older than her stepson, Tarquin. A surprising omission from the list.

He is the fourth cousin twice removed of Charles III but probably too distant to exchange Christmas cards.

Should have disappeared but like Richard Madeley keeps appearing. Others like John Leslie, Michael Barrymore, George Riley and Jermaine Jenas disappeared without trace.

HarrisonTyler - will be 98 in 2026 - the grandson of John Tyler (10th US President) - remarkable when Jimmy Carter was the 39th president..

Virginia McKenna (b 1931) - widow of Bill Travers (1922-94) Dyan Cannon (b1937) - once married to Cary Grant (1904-86)

Graeme Garden from the Goodies may go before Bill as he has various health complaints in recent years. He is the last surviving original cast member of I'm Sorry I haven't a Clue but very rarely appears now.

Ray Anthony (b 1922) - the last surviving member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra

Shani Wallace (b 1931) - Nancy in Oliver (film 1968) Taina Elg (b 1930) - co-star with Kenneth More (d 1982) in The 39 Steps (film 1959) Gerald Harper (b 1931) - Adam Adamant (TV series in the 1960's)

Charles has also had some very dodgy friends which seems to have been forgotten. Jimmy Savile reportedly gave him marriage advice (!) & he was a close friend (lent him a cottage?) of a disgraced bishop.

Arthur Scargill

Biddy Baxter (b 1933) should be seriously considered - never a presenter on Blue Peter but worked on the programme with Edward Barnes (1928 - 2021) (father of the more famous Simon Barnes) & Rosemary Gill (1930-2011) - all 3 names would appear on the Blue Peter Annuals.

I thought he must have his own thread.

A clutch of presenters to consider for 2025: Michael Aspel (news & various programmes) 91 Sandy Gall (news) 97 Bill Giles (weather) 85 Michael Fish (weather) 80 Desmond Morris (natural history) 96

Also Duffy (104) & Baker (90).

Apart from Welby's shocking lack of action over a paedophile QC (establishment cover-up possibly?), it should also be remembered that he personally supported Paula Vennells when she was amazingly on a shortlist of three to be Bishop of London!! This is despite her neglible previous priestly experience. Bishop Ball (whose twin brother was also Bishop Ball) was a convicted abuser who seemed to be a personal confidant of the former Prince of Wales who seems a very poor judge of character. A final point - it seems a surprise that abuser John Smyth QC was married with a family - did none of them ever realise what was happening as the abuse not only occurred on church camps but also in his house. He moved country twice as concerns were being raised - how did he explain these moves to his wife?

Natural history presenters seem to live long lives. Desmond Morris is 96 and David Attenborough is 98.

His mother outlives him aged 94.

Yesterday at Bletchley Park there was a reunion of 18 veterans. Their ages ranged from 97 to 'almost' 102.

Apparently the 'record' is 97 for someone to have a parent alive - quite incredible. The parent was 117.

Stories are usually (1) Pregnancy, (2) Bankruptcy, (3) New partner, (4) Break-up with partner, (5) Partner being unfaithful, (6) At nightclub with potential new boyfriend, (7) Drunk, (8) Promoting new book, clothing line, health product, online product, (9)Mucky mansion, (10) Harvey, (11) Her other children in glamorous photoshoots, (12) Mentioning former partners such as Peter Andre.

Barry Reed (Hampshire 1958-72) has died aged 86. 1937-2024. He used to open the batting with the exciting Roy Marshall & then briefly with the world class Barry Richards.

It is surprising to see how many female actors (aka actresses) who appeared in Alfred Hitchcock films are still alive. Here are some of the best known with their current ages: Eva Marie Saint (100) Tippi Hendren (94) Vera Miles (94) Kim Novak (91) Shirley MacLaine (90) Julie Andrews (88) Barbara Leigh Hunt (88)

Janis Paige has died aged 101. She performed for decades on Broadway & in Hollywood where she acted with Fred Astaire & Bob Hope. Obituaries state she was one of the "last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood."

Sir Oliver Popplewell has died aged 96. He played cricket for Cambridge University and was President of the MCC from 1994-96. His son, Nigel, played for Somerset for many seasons.