Vinegar Tits

Due to post-Eurovision comedown after Saturday night I had a look at past contestants who may be going to the great Song Contest in the sky sooner rather than later. Of course, most probably won't get an obit over here but there are a few that I'd be surprised won't be mentioned in the press when God decides their douze points are up and may be worth a look: Lys Assia (b. 1926). First winner of Eurovision 50 years and 1 day ago exactly. Despite her age she's in fine fettle and pops up occasionally on ESC-related programmes, most recently the 'Congratulations' programme that the Beeb didn't decide to show here in the UK. Survived a vicious attack when her apartmernt was burgled a few years ago so is obviously made of stern stuff. Pearl Carr (b. 1923). Of 'Sing Little Birdie' fame. Could possibly already be dead but don't recall hearing anything. Corry Brokken (b. 1932). One for our Dutch Deathlisters. Won once, and might get a UK obit because she hosted the Contest in 1976 when Brotherhood Of Man won. Nana Mouskouri (b. 1934). Getting on a bit but looked in rude health last Saturday so I can't imagine we'll be wiping the tears off our oversized glasses just yet. Udo Jurgens (b. 1934). Still recording and touring but is getting on a bit. Kenneth McKellar (b. 1927). In 1966 when the rest of Europe were sending cutesy France Gall clones, the UK decided to enter... a man in a kilt. Will certainly get an obit due to being a major man of Scottish song rather than any Eurovision 'achievements'. Rudi Carrell (b. 1934). Already mentioned on here I believe. Suffering from lung cancer and prognosis not good. Not sure he'd get a UK obit but if Monica Zetterlund can then I can't see why not. Freddy Quinn (b. 1931). One of the first German-language pop stars. Massive in the 50s and early 60s, he's sort of the equivalent of the Austrian-Germanic Cliff Richard (only without the 'edginess' *cough*). Katie Boyle (b. 1926). Getting on a bit and we don't see her much on TV these days. She hasn't even popped up in a Eurovision-related programme for a while. Perhaps she's never got over being manhandled by Guildo Horn back in Brum in '98. News of a few others who probably won't get a UK obit but maybe of interest to some anyway: Riki Sorsa (Finnish Rod Stewart lookalike from 1981 who wore a nasty yellow and pink jumpsuit and sang a crap reggae song) has been diagnosed with cancer. Vice Vukov (b. 1936) - represented Yugoslavia in 1963/1965. Was elected to the Croatian parliament and became ambassador to Switzerland, so his political stature might just give him an obit. Last November he fell down the parliamentary building stairs and sustained a serious head injury. Apparently his chances of recovery are even slimmer than Ariel Sharon's, being in a persistive vegatative state.

RIP and sad for her family etc. Couldn't stand the unfunny attention-seeking gobshite personally, I found her about as funny as, well, you fill in the ironic ailment here. Too soon?

Sad news but he was 84 - this generation of rock stars are *old*. Always an interesting and thoughtful interviewee, Lesh's autobiography is a really good read ,(though I don't agree with him on not playing open bass string notes). RIP.

Inger Lorre of The Nymphs dead from recently diagnosed cancer at 61. Mucho hype and notoriety in the early 90s but the band probably gained the most publicity after Inger pissed on a record company exec's desk. After The Nymphs imploded she co-wrote (actually added a verse but anyway) 'Yard Of Blonde Girls' with Audrey Clark of one of my favourite bands of the 90s the 360s, covered by Jeff Buckley. Sad news. Only found out via Kathy Valentine's Instagram.

Sad news. He had a lovely soft, calm and reassuring voice. Treated quite badly by the Beeb imho when they got rid of him. RIP. (And yes, I did once work with him )

Sad news, just Harry and Snowy left now. Interesting news though as Diamonde had pretty much disappeared from sight and there'd been rumours floating around that he'd died years ago.

Not that it will come as any surprise but I have a Herbie Flowers anecdote after meeting him when he was playing in Sam Brown's band in the early 90s. It'll have to wait as I'm on holiday at the mo and have borderline heatstroke, but he was a nice, gracious bloke. RIP.

Quite the legend, but I know him best for telling Phil Daniels where to go in 'Breaking Glass'. RIP.

Ooh, that's sad news. Was rather partial to ZuZu's Petals back in the day, and saw them supporting Nova Mob at Leeds Duchess. Have got her autobiography but not read it yet. Their version of 'Brand New Key' is worth checking out.

Very sad news. The Lyn Scully era was around the time that my Neighbours fandom was coming to an end but she was amazing as Reb Kean in Prisoner. RIP.

Sad news. A pioneering actress and one of the Hong Kong greats. 'Come Drink With Me' is a magnificent film. RIP.

Really sad news, but not unexpected and now she is free. RIP

I once made a massive faux pas in front of him back in 2001 when he was in the short-lived Wellbeing satellite channel office awaiting an on-air 80s makeover. "Colin Gibb? Colin Routh isn't it. He was the one done for knobbing a 14-year-old, wasn't he?" *turns round to see the aforementioned glaring at me* "Oops..." Probably a good job I didn't say The Nolans should have represented us at Eurovision in 1979 too... Anyhoo, RIP. The end of 'proper' Black Lace. They were all local - the fella who replaced Routh following the above (and who got done for benefit fraud a few years ago) used to bank at my village Barclays branch and had a very nice indeed Lotus Esprit, and I think Routh/Gibb lived down Cleckheaton Road (also vvv near to me) at one point.

French singer Véronique Sanson hospitalised with pneumonia Official statement: Tour dates have been rescheduled so Véro and her team are obviously optimistic, plus she's a tough old broad so...

Legend and far more important to a generation just slightly too young for John Peel (erm.. You know what I mean). Annie made Sunday night baths and homework bearable. RIP.

Really sad news. Incredible bassist, and obviously there's the Kate Bush connection too; hopefully it won't scupper any future work as she's worked so close with him for years, plus John Giblin died last year too - not a good year for bassists.

I'm a bit out of the loop but any reason why? (Eve Leve Toi is such a great song)

Ken bloody bastard Bates Been on my person DDP team since the beginning. I think I've granted him eternal life. Bah.

Any reason why Catherine Deneuve's name isn't on that list? They're close and she's been very supportive of him in the past.

Probably deserves to be in the tennis thread tbh. One of Denmark's most famous tennis players and a prominent tour player back in the day.

Sad news. Yes, about to namedrop yet again but I did used to work at Emmerdale *clang* so... met him a number of times. Nice, unassuming bloke, had a splendid example of a classic VW campervan. RIP.

Ah, sad news. The clip of him and Norman Hunter scrapping never fails to raise a smile. Proper football. Also the latest victim of The Curse Of HMHB of course... ('Persian Rug Sale At The URC')

Prince Philip in cahoots with MI5 even from heaven... I look forward to Ian Hislop/Private Eye's obituary.

Luton Town lose one of their few fans. Crikey, he wasn't even 40 when I saw Pavement back in the day. He seemed so old! I guess he was compared to everyone else. A strange man - very much not sober at the time - I remember him giving out Bonios to the audience at Leeds Duchess Of York. I can imagine his antics must have got very tiresome for the rest of the band, but he had a good heart. RIP.

It's A Beautiful Day were a great band - as with so many, screwed over by Matthew Katz, and their debut album cover is one of the classics of its genre. RIP.