Octopus of Odstock

Thanks I'm taking ol' VJ out for next year. The reason I chose him is as he was a major star, you don't hear anything about him any more (always a major sign - hence my choosing of Ron Greenwood, the football manager in 2004), but when researching a little further, he doesn't appear to be particulary frail or ill. He's on my list of possibles for 2007, but not next year. I try to go with people obviously famous enough at the time, but somehow not so famous now that people will automatically pick them. Having Halliwell's Whos Who really helps with famous but forgotten actors & actresses - Simone Simon being trumps this year.

Peter Sallis will be 85 next year, not 95. I've removed Ronnie Biggs from my list as Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary said he wasn't suffering from a terminal illness, despite Biggs' pleas. I do take a lot of what Michael Biggs says with a pinch of salt. He's not a well man, I admit, but I think he'll go on, or that's what I'm risking. Also taking out Michael Gough. He's old, frail, but still active. Worth thinking about that haven't been suggested anywhere else (I think): Eric Tindill, oldest test cricketer & international rugby player, 95 Al Molinaro, star of Happy Days, 87 Malcolm Allison, football manager & now very ill Ma><ine Edington, the terminally ill woman who sang that song with Billy Bragg recently Bruce Bennett, the actor, now 96, I think.

Caroll Shelby is a good choice. Suffered with heart problems for aeons until he had a heart transplant back in 1990 (ish). Since then, it has given him a new lease of life, but now in his 80's, with previous heart problems and being overweight, I wouldn't be surprised to see him go. Another car related person that is possible would be Toulo de Graffenried, now 91 & winner of the 1949 British GP.

Because my first DDP entry contained loads of Octogenarians. Trying to think of other Octo words I failed miserably & could only think of Octopus. I added Odstock as 1) It starts with O 2) I was born there 3) Odstock needs the publicity. I would very much like to change my name but I can't be arsed. Decided I might as well stick with it for this forum as well rather than be clever. Thing is I have lots of Nonagenarians & Centerians (sp.) in the DDP 2006 entry, so maybe I think about a change in 2007....

Well, he's got a point, look at Rick Parfitt. On my possible list then cancer-free so off. Good thing I held back. I am Octopus of Odstock (obviously). Doing pretty well this year but have seen myself slide from 2nd down to about equal 17th where I am now. Super-strong DDP team in 2006 I think. My joker is a gamble but one that might just pay off dividends. Should be an interesting competition - I alwys look forward to seeing who people have chosen at the start of the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surviving_Vet...First_World_War says there are 85 left but some plonker has included two from a TV documentary shown recently. All very well & good but those two have since died as the programme is three years old. It is pretty certain that Ross of Australia, the three Canadians & most of the British-based veterans, especially Patch & Allingham will get enough coverage when they die.