Bibliogryphon

I just had to check up to see whether John Savident was still alive and he is. Now aged 74. He is best known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation Street but the more discerning amongst us will remeber his very creepy and camp turn as Egrorian in the excellent Blake's 7 episode "Orbit". He hit the headlines several years ago when he was stabbed in the neck at his home by someone he met in a bar.

Probably! Thanks Syd. My last comment on the matter is that some Aussie States have considered seceding from time to time. Western Australia sometimes becomes bitchy towards the eastern part of the country and wants out but their moves have never gone too far. Tasmania is also an interesting case: it is one of the poorest parts of the nation with all kinds of economic problems and lack of infrastructure. Some mainlanders compare it to the southern USA but this is really unfair. Nevertheless it does have a lot of problems. However, in the 19th century, before Federation turned all of the independent British colonies into a single nation, it was extremely prosperous. Back in the 1990s, some economists were asked to produce a hypothetical model of how Tasmania's economy would perform if it became an independent nation. According to their models, it would thrive. I wonder if anyone has done similar modeling for Texas and Louisiana. Maybe if they had to fend for themselves, their economies would kick-start and the outcomes would indeed be better. I am sure, over time, if they were independent their grudge towards "the north" would lessen and their Bible belt fundamentalism would become much more moderate. Of course, there is no way Washington will let their oil producing states go, and as Angry notes, there is hardly a groundswell of support for this movement but it is interesting to speculate about while we wait for Oscar Niemeyer to kick the bucket. Can I at this point say SCOTLAND?

It didn't Clive Dunn died last week.

Apparently this was a negotiated absence similar to one Len Goodman had last series when he found doing both UK & US versions of the show a little draining. If anything this is bad news for the Deathlist as the BBC seem to be taking good care of him and allowing him to dictate his own workload. Still when I first read this the article did suggest that he has to be helped backstage so he does not trip over anything.

I am going to throw in a few names for serious consideration for the official list Henry Cecil (if he makes it), Richard Adams, Rodney Bewes, Ian Brady and Prince Philip.

Talk about a missed opportunity Do you want to live in a world where Ringo Starr is the only surviving Beatle? I think I could cope with it Shame on you!

Man About The House is currently being repeated on ITV3... To be replaced by Man about the Hearse?

Talk about a missed opportunity Do you want to live in a world where Ringo Starr is the only surviving Beatle?

Close shave for Macca Just goes to show that the next big death could just come out of the sky

I am going for Patty Andrews. My optimism is renewed for the rest of the year and I am still convinced it is going to be a woman next.

Happy Birthday Eddie Mair. 47 Today! (Just in case you know)

It is not only the US that this statement would be true for!

I don't like the idea of putting someone in a coma on the list. His life chances are purely dependent on someone else keeping him alive. They could decide he was dead at any moment.

I voted None of the Above I think we're Dunn for the year.

If you want a replacement for Clive I would suggest Warren Mitchell a versatile comedy actor who is best known for playing a much older character.

Roll on Thatcher That might work if Adele did it.

Do we have a winner in the Archbishop race? I think the Coptic church's method is better.

Soon he'll have some free time so we could send Rowan Williams on lecture tour of Southern states.

Chris Smith (former labour culture secretary) collapsed during the Music Industry Trust dinner for Gary Barlow. It was later reported that he was suffering from an upset stomach.

Am I right in thinking that when the Church of England finally get round to selecting a new Archbishop of Canterbury then Rowan Williams and George Carey will have to duel to the death as it is only permitted for there to be one former archbishop?

Tomorrow will be Billy Graham's 94th Birthday.

Good I was beginning to worry that you may have been he. For it is said that he has haunted these parts in days gone by!

Sharon Osbourne has had a double masectomy because she was at risk of developing breast cancer.

you missed out eddie mair. he did holiday relief in august 2004 This was deliberate as I will be including Eddie in his rightful place when I do a full list of PM presenters. You have been warned.

Tragic news. It should have been Coleen...then it should have worked its way throgh the rest of the presenters of loose women. This is where I was getting confused, when I read Bernie I thought Coleen. But they might just be a gestalt entity. I saw them once in summer season at Blackpool, second on the bill to Mike Yarwood. I once was supposed to see them on a 70s weekend at Butlins in Bognor Regis, but I fell asleep on the beach in the afternoon and got sunstroke and spent the evening vomiting in my chalet instead. You should go on Graham Norton with that tale So she can vomit on him?