DevonDeathTrip

Here's a BBC obit for John Straffen. He was on my CPDP "Only One Way Out Of Here" theme team.

Strewth - he was another of my suggestions. I'm starting to feel like the angel of death.

Claudio Abbado seems to be recovered and back at work.

Poet and author Vernon Scannell has died at the age of 85.

Sorry Madame D, bit of an unfortunate choice of words on my part, I'm all in favour of the contribution of Americans to the DDP. I meant to say that I didn't want a quintessentially English site to turn in to the kentuckyderbydeadpool.com with banner advertising, supersize death bonuses and American news sources counted as obituaries etc. I hope that clarifies my position. And I say keep the wallpaper.

Firstly I'd like to thank Rude Kid and Siegfried for their work over the last few years, I hope you enjoy your retirement. The DDP should be declared a national treasure to keep it in the country, out of the clutches of the Americans. OoO would be my first choice to take up the reins, we need someone methodical and into databases, lists, that sort of thing, to keep the house in order. But I agree that group participation would make the job easier. I'm too technically inept to volunteer my own services, but I might like to be involved in a non-executive, advisory capacity. Maybe sending out the odd email when Odstock is on holiday or doing the biographies for candidates whose surname begins with "Q" and "X".

Sir Jimmy Savile has been robbed by a woman in Leeds.

Janez Drnovšek, who is nearing the end of his term as President, has given an interview - his first in months - to The Times: All Hail The Mystic President This summers disappearing act is mentioned: He's still insisting he has cured himself of the cancer that his doctors told him was incurable: I think Janez Drnovsek has the right qualities to be an ideal candidate for DL 2008.

Exeter certainly weren't involved in any shape or form, MPFC and I know that Northwich Victoria pretty much chose to go in to administration rather than even consider that option. I feel sorry for true Ebbsfleet followers. This has taken all their fans by total surprise and everyone is against it. The board did not consult anyone and their Trust appears toothless. Another football club treated as a plaything and exposed to the tyranny of speculators - this time 'The Championship Manager' brigade. Football clubs should be cared for and managed with care. I truly can't see the majority of people stumping up £40 on a yearly basis for Ebbsfleet.

Deeply cynicial, MPFC. Can't believe Ebbsfleet went for this, unless there is more to it than meets the eye. It has disaster written all over it. Really can't see it as a sustainable long term successful project. Nice idea in principle, very hard to put into real practise and potentially could ruin Ebbsfleet, I'd rather have a normal supporters trust myself. Obviously getting beaten 3-1 by Exeter City in the FA Cup has hit them hard.

Australian cricket legend, Norman O'Neill, is seriously ill - would get a UK obit, but not enough information on his health. Dennis Preistley, twice world darts champion, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer - would get an obit but probably won't die. Don Kirkpatrick, guitarist in Rod Stewart's backing band, is battling throat cancer - may very well die, but probably won't get a UK obit. That'll be all.

Field Marshal Sir John Stanier GCB, MBE, Chief of the General Staff, has died at the age of 82.

Pope Shenouda III, the ailing head of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, has just spent two days in intensive care, raising fears over his deteriorating health.

I know this one is a bit dubious, but Randa bin Laden, 52, big sister of Osama, is reported to receiving treatment in a Harley Street clinic after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

In curious case of life imitating art, this has just happened to an unfortunate forestry worker in California.

Dead

American Presidential candidate, Earl Dodge, 74, has collapsed and died. He attempted to become President on six occasions, representing the Prohibition Party.

The Bishop of Peterborough, Rt Rev Ian Cundy, has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

The deputy leader of Uganda's rebel Lord's Resistance Army, Vincent Otti, is believed to have been executed by firing squad after falling out with the man in charge, Joseph Kony.

Sixteen people have been arrested in Fiji, charged with with plotting to assassinate military leader, Commodore Frank Bananarama Bainimarama.

Hank Thompson, country music pioneer and the "King of Western Swing", has suddenly retired after he was diagnosed with an undisclosed illness. The message on his website does not bode well.

Nils Liedholm, the oldest man ever to score in a World Cup Final, has died at the age of 85. He was 36 when he scored for Sweden in their 2-5 defeat against Brazil in 1958.

Jamaican reggae legend, Mikey Dread, 53, is receiving chemotherapy for a malignant brain tumour Fame test? Well, the Observer reckon he's one of the ten most influential radio DJs of all time.

His paintings are only $135 and they are sure to go up in value when he dies. I'm going to ask for one of his "apestract" daubings for Christmas.

Cheeta, the world's oldest primate, deserves a thread of his own, he has been mentioned many times before on DL. As well as his great age, he has managed to outlive the entire cast of the Tarzan films from the 1930s and is an accomplished artist. There will be a huge amount of press interest when he goes. Mind you, he looks like he might have a few years left in him.