Mr Stats

You two need to get out more

Was that supposed to be an amusing play on words? It wasn't.

Even better news. Obnob has a photo as promised. He is just waiting for the copyright to clear and he'll send it on

The problem with picking people under 65 is that not many of them die. Well not that you could predict anyway. Obviously Paul Burrell would have been able to help us with the Princess Di call but apart from that our team of psychics have not come up with the goods - I don't believe we're going to renew their contracts next year, wasters. It's hard enough as it is without any age restrictions - we were a bit jammy in 2003 and I can't see that level of success being repeated. Mr Stats

Arnold - we can only offer our humblest apologies on Patrick, Mr Reaper will carry the can Billy - Sharon Osbourne was discussed and we decided that her cancer was not fatal this year and was probably exaggerated for PR purposes, we're terrible cynics. Saddam isn't going to die just yet - there's no way they'll get their act together for a trial in one year and we can't believe the States will allow him to be made a martyr. He's not a suicide risk, frankly he had opportunity already to go out with dignity but all he cares about is saving his own skin - he's not an ideologist like our mate Osama Gucci - Maggie wasn't even discussed although she's in the database. We're expecting a romance between her and Pinochet to kick off shortly. Catherine - Sister Lucia was chatted about for a while but none of us are Catholics and the panel hadn't heard of her. The Mahareshi meanwhile is famous as the religious guru to the Beatles - everyone's heard of him. Brother Theodore was admittedly stretching it a bit - very famous in the good old US of A and popular with our transatlantic panel members Hope that covers it Mr Stats

Mr Reaper This looks like it is your annual cock-up. I have recorded a vote of 4 against Patrick Moore which should have seen him on the list - were you at the bar? Catherine We discussed Chalres Lane as well as Sister Lucia but sadly both were turned down on the grounds of fame. A rump of right wing hard liners turned up to the nomination meeting and pretty much shot down everyone they hadn't heard of. Philistines. My plea that the Death List shouldn't be constrained by their own ignorance fell on deaf ears. But that's democracy for you. Happy New Year to you all Mr Stats

In no way do we pretend to be the best death list, the most successful death list or the definitive word in death lists. It's just our death list and this is how we do it. Success is measured against how we did it in previous years and for ease of comparison we try to do it the same way each year. i.e. we meet in the pub, argue a lot and then the Grim Reaper goes home and mis-types up the results I'm happy with that format anyway. Viva the Death List - long may it prosper.

And we haven't got rid of Ian Brady yet, despite the man's best efforts. However, we shouldn't forget Fred West. Hung himself just after midnight on Jan 1st. Or someone hung him anyway. Hours after he had been jokingly discussed as a candidate. A superficial and unqualified psycho-analysis of Ian and Max's personailities makes me think that Ms Carr is more likely to top herself. She seems on the face of it to be finding it harder to live with herself.

Sister Lucia is 96. In 2000 the third part of the Fatima secret was revealed by the Pope - don't ask me what it said though. Probably eternal damnation for all internet users.

Little Sis - of course we're paying attention. Miep Gies is famous enough for me, cracking suggestion. Mr Reaper - I'm sure I only voted for 50 in 2002, surely that was the limit for all of us - I recall it well as your bizarre ranking system resulted in Princess Margaret not making the list even though everyone nominated her. Anyway you poo-poohed Gertie before I made my nominations - not famous enough you said - I remember the conversation as if it was yesterday.

On the one hand, yes he's 90. On the other, those by-passes were in 1985 and 1990. He's on the list of potentials.

Mr Reaper Not wishing to be pedantic or anything but Gertrude was on my list of candidates for the last two Death Lists but you poo-poo'd her Mr Stats Having a sulk

Dear Sidders Tedders is certainly one to watch. He suffered from a blood clot back in August and isn't seen in public as much as he used to be. I didn't see him on TV once during the recent entertaining Tory leadership drama and if I had I'd probably have said "Wow he looks awful" I'll miss him if he goes though - bizarrely I use him in a song to get my kids to brush their teeth. Not a lot rhymes with teeth and I don't like having to invoke Penelope Keith at that time of night. Mr Stats (who is knackered now that he's working again and it's making him ramble)

We need to remain rational about our nominations otherwise it would just be a list of people we would like to die which isn't the same thing. Does anyone know if Dr Fox has any illnesses?

Absolutely. I believe that we should always have room for one wild punt. Irrespective of any suicidal tendancies I am convinced he is about to melt anyway. Have you noticed how MJ is slowly changing into the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? How ironic.

Dear Birdie We like to keep things personal and involved here on the death list so thanks for your impassioned nomination At 82 and with no signs of illness Phil the Greek is unlikely to be pushing his way onto next year's list - he is however under constant observation Do I get a bonus point for knowing that Birdie Num Num comes from The Party starring Peter Sellars? Or is this the wrong chat room Mr Stats

Is Hepatitus C a killer? I thought it was A and B that were the problems - what the hell would I know anyway, can anyone clarify? Apparently there is a D and an E as well!! Maybe we should post this under a new educational forum for discussion about killer diseases

Hello Well I've added her to the list of potentials but both myself and Mr Reaper are of the opinion that we're going to have problems convincing the selection panel Borderline fame Mr Stats

Hi Catherine We have Billy covered - however 85 isn't usually good enough to be a certain for the list Our rule of thumb is 90 or seriously ill - this doesn't always get us to 50 and we were some way short last year so there is sometimes room for the young ones I'll send out my researcher and see if he's been unwell recently Mr Stats

So I have been relegated to "researcher" - I don't recall that being discussed as part of my new contract last night Anyway I'm not in any position to haggle over employment at the moment so here are your vitals Miss Elizabeth Gladys Dean, better known as Millvina, was born on 2 February 1912 which makes her 91. In April, 1912 she was only nine-weeks-old. Gloria Stuart/Stewart was born in 1910 so she's 93 (obvious I know but the lad Reaper is not great with numbers) - she was oscar nominated for her role in Titanic which makes her famous enough just.

Let's not get carried away here - he's only 79

Maureen O'Hara was 83 this year Not really old enough unless she's unwell and we've heard nothing - not that that is any sort of indicator

Hello Little Sis Queen Juliana has always been one of my favourites and she was on our list in 2001 - time for a reappearance She's nothing compared to Princess Alice, Countress of Athlone who was 102 this year. She is the Great Aunt of the Queen, lives in the Queen Mum's old pad and hasn't been seen in public for over 5 years (at least). Gretchen Franklin? Still alive? Surely not. Well I'll be etc. We'll look at your other nominations although I understand from my sources that Menzies Campbell is beating his lyphoma and good luck to him. Didn't realise he was an Olympian as well (1964 athletics if anyone else is interested) Are you anyone's little sister in particular? Mr Stats

It's a profile not an obituary you fool Do I get a referral fee for introducing Crispy?

Don't put the mugs in the dishwasher If only death was so easy to remove in reality