Octopus of Odstock

Firstly, "Toulo" is still doing well health-wise, but he's getting a little more frail. Hardly surprising, I suppose. He would be famous enough for DL & DDP's needs. He won the 1949 British GP & during the late 1940's, was one of the more successful drivers. He remained in the F1 paddock for years after that, and would get an obituary in at least the Times or Telegraph as Doug Nye often does specialist obits. I know Doug & I know he has a "list of obituaries" as such, which are on tap for usage when the required person dies. de Graffenried is as famous as Trintignant was, on a global scale. Trintignant's death was well covered by the UK media generally. Paul Pietsch, now 94, is a possible. However, despite his age, he is doing brilliantly & although he is the last really famous pre-war driver alive in motor racing circles, I'm not sure about his global fame. The reason I chose Tony Rolt in my DDP is because he's a lot frailer than before, and he would definitely get an obituary in most papers & probably the BBC. If you really want to take a risk, try John Paul Jr., a US sportscar & Indianapolis 500 driver who's got cancer, Doug Serrurier, now in his mid 80's & ill, a car builder who is famous enough in his field, as two alternative choices. By the way, as an update the list M.Lawrenson posted on oldest drivers still alive, well, all of those on there are still alive as somewhat amazingly, taking age into account, no GP driver has died since last June.

What? From the link: sometimes seems as if her Golden Girls co-stars Betty White and Rue McClanahan are part of that welding. "We see each other quite a bit," Arthur says. "We're always meeting somewhere to sign DVDs or participate in some event. Unfortunately, Estelle (Getty, who played the mother) can't be with us because of her health, but we have a good time. I will always remember that show as one of the best parts of my life." That's what I call 3 of them doing well & the other one not so....

Latest on Karl Malden AND Richard Widmark

Health Status

3 out of 4 of the Golden Girls doing fine....

Sad one this, young British stage actress Lou Gish has died aged 35, less than a year after her mother also died from cancer.

Although he was doubtful for a UK obit, I was still surprised when I checked DDP & found he wasn't chosen this year. DDP was the only way I'd ever heard of him.

That, and she was a legal fighter AND a slow death week. The Guardian loves people like Lauren Hester & timing helped, I think. Having said that, Go Fish deserves congratulations for such an audicious & wise choice.

He's not been a well chap for a few years. Decent bet. Should get an obit, especially as he was featured heavily in one of Michael Palin's travel documentaries - Sahara, I believe. Palin was of the presumption that he was well known worldwide, so.. maybe...

We can't. The trouble is they didn't vote for independence, so in theory, we would have to attack New Zealand. What with their Maoris, Giant apes, Jonah Lomu & trolls, I don't fancy it. I suggest Nauru. Same set-up, only slightly more people..... still easy.

I'm Welsh on my father's side. Plus I was born on St. Davids' Day & my surname is as Welsh as they come. I thought this thread would be about aging Welsh film people, like Kenneth Griffith, but obviously not...

Thanks for this, DDT. I was beginning to think I'd not get another hit for a while.

No, it does. So, Go Fish leads by miles. The Guardian gives obits to anyone it seems, sometimes.

Yeah, last check last night, was one in Florida, one in Pennsylvania, 19 news reports overall. Similiar to say, a High School principal, who gets a lot of obits locally but none nationwide. The only way I can figure it'll change is if the Guardian does something like "test case for lesbian rights" blah blah.....

I'm one who feels it should actually be stricter ie broadsheet or BBC only, but really you need some level - I think half the excitement of the DDP is "yes, they're famous, but in Britain??" - until a few days before his execution, I was having major doubts over having picked Clarence Ray Allen, let alone as my joker, for example. It should stay as it is - that's what makes it unique (and is the main reason why I only do that one dead pool) amongst the other dead pools as otherwise we'd all post obscure old Americans & the challenge would be much less, but that's just me.

It's not - that was when he was a MP. Although the news story shows no sign of Sir Cyril popping off, this is a recent picture taken on the 10th February 2005. The man on the left is the current Rochdale MP - the other two need no mention.

The fall was on Tuesday, he's fine, "comfortable" in hospital now & soon to be discharged. Stop being such a tease, Iain.

Well, only if you're a Babylon 5 fan. I've never heard of him & what's more, not one person on the DDP chose him either. A complete unknown in the UK bar a niche group really.

Well, I like it

Now, Go Fish has already had a great start, but whether he/she wins the DDP may hinge on a UK site giving recognition to this death: Laurel Hester Now, Go Fish would get 14 points if there is a mention, which would give them a massive lead. However, i'm doubtful Hester will get the required obit as the only Uk mentions in the last month have been from Gay & Lesbian sites only - let's see....

I thought he was helping Staunton with the Irish job

A while back, I suggested Ray Barretto as a possible 2007 DL pick after his recent illness. Well, today came news that he didn't recover.

Yes she has. http://www.grg.org/Adams/E.HTM Go down a bit & you'll find it.

I wondered that meself. Reason being is her "birthdate" - 1 Jan is always the most supicious one as way back someone may just've put that in to fill up two spaces in a database if they only had the year remaining. She was born Norah Baker, and looking at the British census, it looks like she was born in Plymouth. No record of her death, but she may've died years ago. (ie 1970's). For what it's worth, I think she is still alive, but as she's on my DDP long-list, I'd love to know for sure. Good rant against IMDB, by the way. A good word to the wise who trust that site.

Josip Vrhovec, a Croatian communist who was Tito's last foreign minister (in fact from 1978-1982) has died, aged 79. Most reports are in Serbo-Croat, so here's a simple link to say he has passed away Josip Vrhovec Also, Lord Brightman, High court judge & Law Lord, has died, aged 94.