The Watcher

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.

Thanks - I looked for Dr Who threads, Coronation Street, etc etc. I missed the news a few days ago - Election & D Day have dominated & now the search for Dr Moseley.

William Russell (one of many to marry Rita Fairclough in Coronation Street) has died aged 99 - 6 months short of his century. He was a dashing Sir Lancelot in the 50's & an original companion of Dr Who in 1963. When he had a cameo in Dr Who in 2022, it was the longest period between appearances for an actor playing the same role. It was 57 years between his last appearance in 1965 & his next one.

Online stats about WW2 veterans appear somewhat strange. Whereas there are a few links that state that the UK has less than 100 D -Day veterans still alive, there are more than one sites that state that the US still has about 119500 (!) WW2 veterans still alive. The oldest WW2 veteran still alive is a Romanian, Ilie Ciocan who is 111. (b 28/05/1913)

The BBC Radio series of The Lord of the Rings (1981) was a 26 part production which included some very well known actors of whom the following have died: Gerald Murphy Narrator (1948-2013) Sir Ian Holm Frodo (1931-2020) Sir Michael Hordern Gandalf (1911-1995) Sir Robert Stephens Aragorn (1931-1995) John le Mesurier Bilbo (1912-1983) Peter Woodthorpe Gollum (1931-2004) Jack May Theoden (1922-1997) Simon Cadell Celeborn (1950-1996) Peter Howell Saruman (1919-2015) Leonard Fenton Daddy Twofoot (1926-2022) Sean Arnold Proudfoot (1941-2020) James Grout Barliman Butterbur (1927-2012)

Ah but the film was on today in which she appeared - on Legend formerly known as Horror Channel. Not sure why it was mentioned a month ago although I know she has appeared in a French thread but many will not know she did not appear exclusively in French films. Also her birthday is next week.

Yvonne Furneaux is 98 next week. She was the female lead in The Mummy (1959) which starred Peter Cushing & Christopher Lee. Some of the cast died way back in the 1970's.

They're all going now - OJ's relationship with his children from the marriage to his murdered wife would be interesting to know more about. Did they really believe their father was innocent? Reports state his children and grandchildren were present at his death - did those gloves finally fit?

What about all the times he attacked her & police were called to their home? The race card was played without doubt & the evidence was ignored. A trial that lasted 9 months and a decision in 4 hours - just laughable. He was known for violence towards women and had a penchant for women decades younger who he could control. Even the Kardashians fell out with him according to The Sun. The American legal system is bizarre - someone was executed this week for 2 murders decades ago after being on Death Row ever since yet a guy who killed about 35 just has life imprisonment due to some sort of plea bargaining.

She's increasingly desperate to be in the news & to appear relevant. She's bad-mouthing a murder victim & if OJS was not the murderer why was nobody else ever on trial?

Debra Paget (born 1933) is 91 later this year. She played the love interest (Lucia) of Victor Mature (died 1999) who played the title role in Demetrius & the Gladiators which was filmed 70 years ago in 1954 so not surprisingly she is the only major cast member still alive. The film and its predecessor The Robe are showing on various channels today as it is Good Friday.

She might need financial advice from William Roache.

British embassies have been denying reports in Russian media that King Charles has passed away.

Good to hear that all his children are still alive. However the oldest ever person to have a living parent appears to be Willie Rogers who was 97 years & 109 days (he died 6 days before he was 100) when his mother Bettie Wilson (1890-2006) died.

Bruno Dey - former Nazi guard found guilty of mass murder but given only a suspended sentence of 2 years - will be 96 and a half in 2 days' time.

Proctor was a truely great all-rounder although best known for his bowling. He was so immense while playing for 16 years for Gloucestershire (no Test cricket after 1970 due to being South African) that his county were nicknamed "Proctorshire".