Octopus of Odstock

Darby in a video here. Now mostly wheelchair bound and definitely struggling to speak now. I think he'll still see 2025, but he's clearly on the downhill slope. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67915248

One of my Granddad's favourites. He died before I was born but told my Dad that of all the players he watched in Welsh rugby since the 1930's, the very best two were JPR Williams and Gareth Edwards. A sad day today.

Tim Steele, three times ARCA stock car champion, who had a few races in NASCAR, has died, after a stroke, aged 55. https://obitsinfo.co.uk/tim-steele/?fbclid=IwAR0PRaewtudB-UP7R_3w_ikYPYmBGzstD31Nzb8P_LKh9dMTZo7blkUQuiA

If this is the official Top Gear thread, then former long-time Top Gear producer and also former local politician Ken Pollock has died. Only seems to be on X right now (Tiff Needell has paid tribute) but I'm sure the link to serving his community will get him a local obit. Link below is from 2016 to get some perspective of who he was. https://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/news/14977052.councillor-who-launched-his-own-tv-production-firm-calls-new-business-owners-brave-and-courageous/

Ex Rangers 'Star' is a bit of a stretch to put it mildly, played just once. Nevertheless, hope he pulls through.

First Formula 1 death of 2024 is not Fittipaldi, but former ATS and Merzario non-qualifier, and former Italian Formula 3 champion, Alberto Colombo, after a long illness, aged 78. https://it.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-addio-ad-alberto-colombo-il-cappellone-che-ha-sognato-i-gp/10563419/

Thanks for this. The BBCs sports Personality of the year round-up would cover most of the above, although most will QO anyway.

What an illustrious resume she had, on stage, TV an film and yet the thing I probably best remember her for is playing the second T-Bag...

It's not. This, however is, from her son on X:

Reuters Daily Mirror Irish Independent Yahoo Quite a bit of coverage now. This report not only has the latest update; " still in stable condition at Hospital Prevent Senior, in the South Zone of São Paulo , according to his wife. Fittipaldi remains sedated and intubated. "At the moment he is stable and we are waiting for him to wake up. Due to Parkinson's, recovery is slower. I count on prayers and positive vibrations of health and recovery for Wilsinho", said Rita Fittipaldi." But there's a photo of him, from what presumes is only hours (or less) before his choking from his 80th birthday. Looks far older. Link

EMS better check that will again, these things come in threes ... A top name for TCM Remembers very early on indeed.

I think Hall might be more in the Chris Denning category and we only find out a good while after. Maybe @Master Obit could check the GRO to see if he's gone unnoticed already.

Depends if it's unique as Johns is drop 40.

He'll absolutely blitz a QO immediately.

Crumbs. What a terrible birthday present. Doesn't sound too promising, especially when you add Parkinson's into the mix. EDIT He was without a pulse for 12 minutes reading some other reports. Given everything, I'd be astonished if he makes a complete recovery (or as much as you can given living with Parkinson's)

Tom Stafford and Roy Battersby will almost certainly die in 2024 but wouldn't be drop 40 to make it worthwhile with too many other pick to choose. Bobby Mailman and Steve Gaines, I wondered about QO. Terry Jon Martin I can see dying without any news reports.

Here's my lists. In the end, quite straightforward with not that many surprises. Beccy Barr JOKER Matt James Rob Burrow Stuart Gray Dario G Jonnie Irwin Chuwit Kamolvisit Steve McMichael James Whale Charlie Bird Michael Tilson Thomas Esther Rantzen Frank Caprio Jimmy Carter Simon Cowell (animal) Kieran Cavanagh Franz Beckenbauer Derek Draper Jason Smith Patrick Murray and for this year, a theme team: Nigel Starmer-Smith JOKER Jimmy Calderwood Darti Brown Corey Williams Eddie Annand Mika Immonen Dikembe Mutombo Billy Bean Craig Shakespeare Steve DiMeglio Julian Bailey Wilfred Benitez Steve Smith Lem Barney Cesar Luis Menotti Enzo Osella George Eastham Mike Beckwith Mario Zagallo Ian McMillan

Sadly, not a surprise but a great shame. A terrific driver who probably would've have taken multiple wins in Indycar if he'd stuck around in single seaters longer.

I'm familiar with him, had quite a few TV documentaries and books to his name too. Quite prominent late 80's to mid 90's. Fancied himself as quite a hard-hitting journalist but he was his own biggest fan.

Ruth Langsford's mother. Apparently she is a bit smelly.

Rob Burrow CBE more likely than Eavis I would have thought in terms of dying before they physically receive their honour.

Yes, 100% QO. One of Europe's top strikers of the 1990's.

Just entered my two teams. My main team, hoping to do better after an abject 2023. At one stage, if Tongo had got a suitable obit, I was in the lead. He didn't and then pretty much everyone recovered or were never ill (Eric Lamaze and Kate Keltie, I'm looking at you here) My theme team is a sports team which, all in all, I consider almost as strong as the main team. I certainly had more angst who to drop.

Sky's effort was like one of those awful YouTube videos. TCM and BBC got it right

Trevor Hitchen a few weeks back. Looking very good for a man in his late 90's.