Spade_Cooley

Brian Lomax, co-founder of Supporters Direct, helped set up the first supporters trust in football (at Northampton Town) in 1992 and, most importantly, the nominal captain for my 2016 DDP team, dead.

As one wit said, her dress, like Chelsea, had no coverage at the back and little support up front.

Cancer wedding planner. Got into the Mail, Express and on ITV, could be one for your longlists.

Triple heart bypass for Bob Mortimer

They were all in the Celebrity Auctioneers thread, draw from that what you will.

Philip French, Observer film critic for nearly 50 years, dead at 82. Was still filing copy this week.

But then, this is the part of the year when you should take all reports of a celebrity's illness on these boards with a large grain of salt.

Add LS to the list of "probably does have cancer, was 100% lying about its stage to get out of prison". Could drop dead tomorrow, could still be around in 2019. Wouldn't waste a 2016 pick on her.

Denis Norden to die late November and get himself a nice series of tribute programs in the Xmas TV schedule.

Was watching The Quiet Man on one of the minor Sky channels at what must have been the exact moment she carked it. I give it 7/10.

He's OK!

Looks like he's definitely in hospital but how serious it is is a matter of gossip site conjecture. No smoke without fire/throat cancer though.

Assuming the cancer comes from his former 20-a-day habit, I'd say there's about an 80% chance of him going by the end of 2016. Can see him being a definite drop 40 pick and a DL item as well.

Unfortunately this means that the pressure is on Corbyn. Cameron can get his excuses in earlier and argue that even if he picked Harry Styles as the Conservative candidate they are never going to win in Oldham. There will be a lot of analysis of turnout and voting share. Labour have to win big on a good turnout. Might be a gift to UKIP. An organised Ukip with a good ground game and a decent list of candidates would put up a fight against Labour in this seat, they polled 20.6% there last time out. As it is, they'll just field whichever retired Tory councillor they can find who hasn't upset Nige recently.

It will be the first by-election in Oldham West and Royton (then known as Oldham West) since 1968, when Meacher himself was the losing candidate. Also, as a safe Labour seat, it'll be interesting to see who Corbyn picks as the anointed one for it.

I may, _may_ submit a theme team in 2016 called "The Matthew Smiths". The Doctor Who actor, the former ITV sports anchorman, the guy who wrote "Manic Miner", the Fulham striker... there's gotta be 20 there.

Would be amiss not to post this

British government report suggests that the 'army council" of the 'Ra is still in existence. Don't think we've seen the last of the Provos settling a few old scores in the streets.

https://uk.screen.yahoo.com/lactrice-dani%C3%A8le-delorme-est-d%C3%A9c%C3%A9d%C3%A9e-184500490.html It appears on Yahoo UK's Screen section as well, which is obviously more fitting. She'll get her broadsheet obituary within a week though, so don't worry.

Dynamite Kid back in hospital

Lord Ashcroft has spent 18 days in Belize in intensive care suffering from septic shock and renal failure.

Might bestow a bit of my knowledge on the plebs on how to win a DDP later on. We'll see.

He's giving a two-to-three year estimate on his life, but something tells me he's being slightly optimistic. I'd make him 60/40 to see it out of 2016 alive. Guardian obit would be guaranteed given all the G*m*rg*te quagmire.