Octopus of Odstock

Oh bollocks. She wasn't on ANY deathpool I entered in this year. A big miss - I'm not sure why I took her off now. Maybe it was because of the age rules, maybe because I thought she'd keep battling on.. But hey... All will be lost. Unless Messner goes on the 13th, of course....

A little late in filtering through, but Juan Valdivieso died back in May. Wiki Link News Link (In Spanish) He was, before his death, one of two surviving players from the very first FIFA World Cup in 1930, having represented Peru as a goalkeeper. So, worth keeping an eye on the lone survivor of the finals AND the final itself - Francisco Varallo, who is 97 this year.

US veteran William Seegers is now dead - that's 24 verified, 11 unverified/WWI era left - 35 in total. Also, the Genarians website has a little pic of nearly all the 24 verified veterans in a new page on that website. Seegers had been in a hospice, so his death is about as much a surprise as that Thursday will be the day after Wednesday.

Lopez Michelsen is now dead. Looks like my urging for a Colombian on the Death List was to no avail. Let this be a lesson to you all.

NHS refuse Tony Wilson cancer treatment.

Because I always get these things wrong and not wanting to jinx any TFM 13th bonus, I'm going to plump for Al Molinaro... no reason.

Yes. That's the way he wanted it. In Eggington, where he lived, he'd often come into the pub for a drink, same as any other bloke. He was just plain old Bob there, a normal resident. So having a huge, ornate grave in that quiet peaceful churchyard, just 500 metres or so from where he lived, would've been out of touch for both the private & (local) public persona. Don't forget two sons pre-deceased him and one of their graves in the same graveyard (the other was cremated) is quite "simple" as well, so I think Bob would've been loath to have anything too grand as a result. It's only now, "seeing" him every day in WH Smiths or the TV, that I miss seeing him round the local area more than in the early days after his death.

Yep, sure does. Maybe we should send Banshees round to check on TFM.

A great shame - despite his great age, I am very saddened by this, as, such as I have mentioned before, Lane was one of my favourite character actors of all time, and one of the last links to the "Golden Age" of film. However, well done to Deathlist and anyone else who picked him. I am confident he will get a UK obit, though it might take a few days, perhaps.

I find it odder that he's gone - even now. I used to live in the next town from him and know full well where that graveyard is - it's in a lovely spot on the Bedfordshire/Buckinghamshire border. Despite not always coming across favourably on screen, in real life Bob was a lovely man, who I had the pleasure of meeting many times. He gave so much time & effort to charity in life, it's not really surprising that he also should give it in death. Also, I think the message given out is stronger & more poignant than had it been with a prostate cancer survivor, say, Sir Stirling Moss. I have given a "few bob" for this appeal and I hope others do so too - it's all for the good, this advert. And seeing Bob Monkhouse alive on screen, for me, is no more spooky than seeing any dead star on any repeated film or TV show. Maybe it's just the setting that un-nerves HCW?

No, you're right, 16 is now the minimum age, so, not for the first time, I'm not sure what MPFC is talking about.

No, for your information, MPFC, the author of that research is Robert Young, who checks out all claims of longevity for Guiness World Records & is one of the main researchers into the last WWI veterans. He's a thoroughly nasty & unlikeable man, but knows his onions & is, generally, a reliable source. Incidentially, if you had read the talk page in full, he quotes his source. It is the 1910 US census that he quotes as proof that Ruby Muhammad is a mere 100 years of age. However, I think - but only think - he's got this quite embarrasingly wrong. Because the source in question lists Ruby Davis as being... white. So, looks like she IS 110. (PS I have made the similar comments to the above on the talk page.)

Marvin Zindler, 85, veteran Texan news reporter has pancreatic cancer. Despite a Wiki page, I would be somewhat surprised if he got a UK obit, even via an AP feed in the Guardian.

Well, considering no-one picked George Melly, my thinking is thus. It's never anyone who we think should go. It should be Tammy Faye but for sheer absurd reasons, I'm going for John Demjanjuk.

I could've sworn I saw a news item that he had died, but... Newspapers have occasionally got it wrong, as the Independent kept saying Dame Helen Gardiner was alive when she wasn't, but The Times generally is quite accurate with these things. I've checked the English death records from 1984 onwards, and he isn't there. So, unless he's died in the last 6 months, unreported, he appears to still be alive. Searches for Drabble (and similiar sounding names) born May 14 between 1912 & 1916 in the English Death Records. Neither are our man..

From a DDP point of view, please hang on until the 13th of July (or August or September), Tammy Faye. I'm certainly praying for her alright, but perhaps not how her son intended.

Well, judging by my DDP performances, my predictions can be hit & miss, but this one was eeringly, but sadly, bang on. Dave Simmons, scorer of one of those two goals vs Leeds in the FA Cup shock, has died of cancer. Simmons passes away. Simmons also got a BBC obit, so if this had been January, not July, it might've just be points all round....

Not a person, but a shop, Kwik Save is in administration & the name will disappear from the UK high streets.

George. Always entertaining, and improved, in his own unique way, many people's lives. As much as this day was expected, especially recently, it is still a sad day. Though from a DDP point of view, I did need another hit after being scoreless since March...

That's not Alan Johnston, that's football writer, Brian Glanville. Someone should tell Hamas that they've released the wrong person into the public domain & please take Glanville back. Alan Johnston

Oh no, I like them. Each & every one of them is unique in their own eccentric, ruthless way. I'd rather Chirac go before Mugabe, for starters.

When I was working overseas as a tour guide, I worked, for a while, in Tunisia. This was in 2001, and Myleene, along with Suzanne, Noel, Shrek & the barmaid in Corrie (Kym?) had just won Popstars. Of course, Tunisia doesn't get ITV (Thankfully), so their new found fame was lost on me & anyone else with a life. Unfortunately, Miss Klass came on holiday to Tunisia & unfortunately, she was staying at MY hotel & I had to meet her at the airport. She swished, swaggered & sauntered over. MK: (snobbish tone) "I believe you are the man who I need to meet for my hotel arrangements." OoO: "Possibly, can I take your name?" MK: (incredulous tone) "Don't you know who I am?!?!?!" OoO: (cheeky tone) "Not without a name madam, but I can always guess." MK: "I'll have you know I'm a celebrity" OoO: (bored tone) "That's nice. But I'm afraid I don't recognise you". MK: (huffy tone) "Well I've just been on national TV in front of millions. Don't you get out?" OoO: (pissed off tone) "I DO live here, in Tunisia you know. We don't get British TV, I'm afraid" MK: "Hmmm. Well.. the name is Klass - that's spelt with a K, but pronounced CLASS." OoO: "rightho, Miss KLASH, here is your taxi driver & here is your accomodation voucher. Have a pleasant stay & sorry I didn't recognise you for the world famous celebrity that you are". (I know... I know, but it was either be rude or hit her ) In the two weeks she stayed at the hotel, she acted like a spoilt brat & a diva & kept asking for unreasonable requests of both myself & the hotel. All cos she was one of 5 people who won a talent contest. Whoopee-whoo. I see her sweetness & light trick on British TV & applaud her at her quite brilliant acting. It's a hell of a lot better than her singing. Thank you, LFN, for allowing to tell my sorry tale to the nation.

Whilst I groan inwardly whenever they are on the mags/TV, Kerry Katona & Myleene Klass (despite, from personal experience, knowing she is a stuck-up spiteful cow) do not deserve death. I will just settle for a loss of fame overnight. However the early death of Neil Warnock, should it happen, will be met with jubiliation in OOO Towers. I can't think of anyone else, off-hand, who I despise enough to wish upon them death. Maybe I will be reminded of such awful people in due course. If iain/dave carries on with his own particular brand of ludicrosy, he can join Neil Warnock in hell

They're dropping like flies Leon Jeck, World Cup footballer for Belgium in the 1970's, is dead.

Or perhaps not. It appears that those words were taken out of context. (ie I'm in my 70's, I know I'm not gonna be around forever, not I'm gonna be dead tomorrow) Pavarotti recording again, teaching & swimming. Looks like the much-maligned DL committee may just've got this one right.