Bibliogryphon

I think this is close to the nub of the matter. If the McCann's were in any way responsible for the death of Madelaine particularly if inappropriate administering of drugs were involved they would have realised the consequences of this very quickly and they would need to cover it up. If this was common practice amongst the group that would explain the silence. This is possibly just the result of complacent adoption of bad practice to 'improve' their holiday. No premeditation just negligence. Thanks EGN for your candid comments

This is a non-stater for me. Definitely Nelson. DOE has been deathteasing for the past two years along with his long lost cousin in law George H W Bush. At the beginning of the year I thought all three would be dead certs this year. Shows how difficult this thing can be.

Fleetwood Mac cancel tour dates after John McVie diagnosed with cancer

There is a little fragility but I don't think a pick for 2014.

In the clip on the BBC website he looked like Christopher Lee.

I presume she wants a Fistful of Dollars.

I wonder if that was what Spade was trying to say two hours earlier directly above your post?

Congratulations to All Death is Consolation theme team for a unique joker pick for Anthony Caro.

Matthew Rees undergoing surgery for testicular cancer

Well considering the lack of celebrity deaths recently they were propbablt desperate to get one on to the front page. He is an Knight of the Realm and the BBC are supportive of the Establishment. He was on my (very wide) radar so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

This is a fascinating interview from yesterdays Independent with someone who could be described as a professional deadpooler. Lucky bastard.

Does anyone know the age or DOB of the cat artist Lesley Anne Ivory? I was surprised that she didn't have her own Wiki page but she must be getting on a bit.

By the Power of Greyskull that is bad news

I think perhaps some deranged badger lover may well end up 'taking a stab' Are you suggesting they are deranged for loving badgers, they love deranged badgers or are deranged for trying to kill Owen Paterson?

He will definitely be in my 2014 team (if he is still eligible) he was third highest pick out of 400 names on my works competition (same number of picks as DOE & Nelson but fewer jokers).

This article is 11 days old so not exactly breaking news more sort of lefty soul searching.

Not attending 50th Anniversary of the National Theatre despite playing Hamlet in the first performance. There is no suggestion of diva antics nor an explicit mention of ill health, but one wonders if he were not ill what other reason for not attending would be.

Has anyone noticed that since Thatcher died there has been a downturn in celebrity deaths. I am thinking that she has organised a privatisation of the soul harvesting business which has resulted in massive inefficencies and strikes by the reaping staff. Hence fewer celebrity deaths.

Everytime someone posts in this topic I think it might be to announce that Cleo Laine has died. Still it means I've got something to look forward to.

Vera Bryan quickly follows. There's so much less to see and do.....

I would guess Ferbos and Grau would be certainties but the others would probably be dependent on it being a slow news week on the obituary pages.

There must be half a daozen worth a pick at least.

You mean...you're Donald Sindon? You sly git, you've been mocking our efforts all along! Unforunately, or more possibly fortunately, I am not Donald Sinden. If Donald Sinden was the only smug pompus bastard this country produced it may be a better place.

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In some ways the whole Maddie issue seems to neglect the girl herself. This poor girl either died accidently, was murdered or kidnapped but we as a society have bought into it (on either side) with such intensity. People are either "oh how terrible what must her poor parents be going through" or "Ha how long before the lying bastards get found out". If the full truth ever came out, no matter what it was then there would be a lot of soul searching. Of course I could just be a pompus idiot who no-one ever listens to.