2024

15 days out/events | 65 famous people died | 2 dramas | 79 movies/TV series watched | 3 purchases | 7 meals out
DECEMBER
31

Johnnie Walker died, aged 79
Johnnie Walker was an English radio disc jockey and broadcaster. He began his career on Swinging Radio England before joining pirate radio, most notably on Radio Caroline. He joined BBC Radio 1 in 1969 and BBC Radio 2 in 1998. From 2009 to 2024, he presented Sounds of the 70s on Radio 2 on Sunday afternoons and The Radio 2 Rock Show on Friday nights from 2018 to 2024.
On 6 October 2024, Walker announced his retirement from broadcasting after 58 years because of ill health, with his final show airing on 27 October. Walker’s death, at the age of 79, was announced by the BBC on 31 December 2024.
30

Movie: Assasin Club
Up until about ¾ of the way through the film, it was fast-paced, 5-star stuff, but then it suddenly dragged on. Make movies slightly shorter to keep the momentum. This fell short purely for that reason.
28

Jake is 17
Our grandsome, Jake is 17.
27

Kelly is 40
My angel… our daughter, Kelly turned 40.

Movie: Terminator: Dark Fate ★★★★
Good film and fantastic effects. It’s pretty much everything we’ve seen before with Terminator films but the fast-pace action and special effects just keep you gripped.

Movie: Bad Tidings ★★★★
Excellent little film starring Lee Mack and Chris McCausland. It’s like a spoof of the Home Alone movies but I loved nonetheless.
26

Meal Out: The Caigers for cold meat and bubble
Jezz and I went over to Nik and Caiger’s our traditional yearly Boxing Day ‘cold meat and bubble’ lunch. We met Maureen (Caiger’s Mum) and Karen (his sister). Had a lovely relaxing time.
25

Movie: 80 For Brady ★★★★★
We knew there would be no question about how superb this film was going to be. It starred Lila Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field. Also starred Billy Porter and Tom Brady. Based on a true story and it was totally superb. Proper 5-star rating.
22

Movie: Dark Game ★★★★
Now this wasn’t a bad film and kept me watching. Story line was ok and it’s left it completely open for a Dark Game 2.
17

Alfa Anderson died, aged 77
Alfa Anderson (September 7, 1946 – December 17, 2024) was an American singer and educator, best known as one of the lead vocalists of the 1970s band Chic. In Alfa’s early career she recorded as backing vocals for artists including Dionne Warwick and the group Odyssey. She was also a part of the soundtrack on Quincy Jones’s The Wiz. Her backing vocals, alongside Luther Vandross are recorded in Chic’s Dance, Dance, Dance and Everybody Dance.
When Norma Jean Wright left the band, Alfa became one of the lead vocals for Chic and fronted iconic disco hits from the late 70s, including Le Freak, Good Times, My Forbidden Lover and I Want Your Love. As lead vocalist for Chic, she was a regular on shows such as Soul Train, The Midnight Special and Top Of The Pops. Her voice was amongst others in the single We Are Family by Sister Sledge. As the band dissolved in 1983, she continued to work with notable artists including:Bryan Adams, Mick Jagger, Teddy Pendergrass, Jennifer Holiday, Sheena Easton, Bryan Ferry and others. Alfa was named as ‘Former First Lady Of Chic’ in 2013.

Movie: Carry-On ★★★★★
Epic superb film, starring Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman.
12

Duncan Norvelle died, aged 66
Duncan A. Norvelle (2 April 1958 – 12 December 2024) was an English comedian in the variety tradition, who appeared on British television from the early 1980s. He was often referred to as Duncan “Chase me” Norvelle, stemming from his catchphrase “Chase me!” His act was based on appearing to be a stereotypical camp homosexual.
11

Movie: Subservience ★★★★★
Superb film and Michele Morrone is so sexy.
10

Movie: The Hitman’s Apprentice (also known as The Liability) ★★★★★
This was an epic film… absolutely loved it. It was billed as ‘The Liability’ on IMDb. I’m a big fan of Jack O’Connell from seeing him in Starred Up. Loved this film, a lot.
9

Movie: The Cabin In The Woods ★
Dreadful film. Had to stop watching it after 30 minutes.
NOVEMBER
29

Movie: Something In The Water ★★★
A strange film with little action and yet compelling to see it through. Frustrating, but still ok.

Movie: Ready Or Not ★★★★
This is a barmy film with some ridiculous storyline, but the effects were good, and it kept me watching. Samara Weaving, who played Grace, was superb.

Movie: Darkness Falls ★★
Dreadful film.
25

Earl Holliman died, aged 96
Earl Holliman was an American actor, animal-rights activist, and singer known for his many character roles in films, mostly Westerns and dramas, in the 1950s and 1960s. He won a Golden Globe Award for the film The Rainmaker (1956) and portrayed Sergeant Bill Crowley on the television police drama Police Woman throughout its 1974 to 1978 run.
20

John Prescott died, aged 86
John Prescott was a British politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007. He was First Secretary of State from 2001 to 2007. A member of the Labour Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years, from 1970 to 2010.
12

Timothy West died, aged 90
Timothy West was an English actor and presenter. He appeared frequently on stage and television, including stints in EastEnders as Stan Carter, and Not Going Out, as the original Geoffrey Adams. He was married to the actress Prunella Scales. From 2014 to 2019, they travelled together on UK and overseas canals in the Channel 4 series Great Canal Journeys. In February 2013, West joined the cast of ITV soap Coronation Street, playing Eric Babbage. He joined the cast of EastEnders in 2013, playing Stan Carter from January 2014. He filmed his final scenes for EastEnders in February 2015. In 2019, West played Private Godfrey in Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes, a recreation of three missing episodes of the BBC comedy Dad’s Army.
3

Quincy Jones died, aged 91
Quincy Jones was an American record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and film and television producer. His career spanned over 70 years, with 28 Grammy Awards won out of 80 nominations, and a Grammy Legend Award in 1992. I remember him best for producing Michael Jackson’s albums “Off The Wall,” “Thriller,” “Bad” and the “The Wiz.” Also, his own hits, including Razzamatazz and Ai No Corrida. To think he was the producer of Lesley Gore’s 1963 hit “It’s My Party” and he worked with other legends including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie. Quincy worked as an arranger for Billy Eckstine, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley Horn, Peggy Lee, Nana Mouskouri, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, and Dinah Washington, Herb Alpert, Donna Summer, Louis Armstrong, Patti Austin, Tony Bennett, George Benson, The Brothers Johnson, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jnr, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Bob James, Little Richard, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Sarah Vaughan, Andy Williams and many more. In 1985, he produced and conducted the charity song “We Are the World”, which raised funds for victims of famine in Ethiopia.
2

Evening Out: Kenny Thomas
Amanda, Nik, Caiger and I went to the London Palladium to see Kenny Thomas and supporting act Rumer.
OCTOBER
29

Teri Garr died, aged 79
Teri Garr was an American actress. She frequently appeared in comedic roles throughout her career, which spanned four decades and includes over 140 credits in film and television. Her accolades include an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA Award nomination, and a National Board of Review Award. Here are some of the films: Viva Las Vegas, Young Frankenstein, Close Encounters of The Third Kind, Tootsie, The Sting II, Dumb and Dumber, Batman Beyond: Return of The Joker and many more. And TV shows including: Dr. Kildare, Batman, The Andy Griffith Show, Star Trek, McCloud, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, M*A*S*H, Maude, Saturday Night Live!, Prime Suspect, Frasier, Men Behaving Badly, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, Friends, ER, and many more.
28

Movie: No Escape ★★★
This was ok, but the storyline dragged a little. Well acted, and the effects were good. Slightly graphic with the violence mind.

Movie: Hijack 93 ★★★
Just ok.
26

Movie: Don’t Move ★★★★★
Brilliant film. Everything I love about a gripping, tense (not too violent) movie. Kelsey Asbille was excellent, but Finn Wittrock is stunning.
24

Albie was born
Another new arrival in the family, this is Albie, Heather and Alfie’s son. Born at 2.48pm on Thursday 24th October 2024, weighing 9lbs. Awe. What a cute and massive little bundle of joy.
23

Vicki came round
Good ole Vic. Jezz and I love seeing Vicki. She’s always vibrant, fresh and fun to be with. Love her story telling and we had a good catch up. Jezz did a chicken risotto for lunch.

Jack Jones died, aged 86
Jack Jones was an American singer and actor. He won two Grammy Awards and has received a total of five nominations. His recordings include “Lollipops and Roses”, “Wives and Lovers”, “The Race Is On”, “The Impossible Dream” and “Call Me Irresponsible”. He also sang the opening themes for television series The Love Boat.

Geoff Capes died, aged 75
Geoff Capes was a British shot putter, strongman, and Highland Games competitor. He was famous in the UK in the 1980s for his sporting prowess and appearances on television in shows such as Superstars and the World’s Strongest Man, which he won twice.

Movie: Cobweb ★★★
It was ok film, but a weak finish. Effects were good though and a few scare jumps, too.
18

TV: Young Royals ★★★★★
Binge-watched all 3 series, 18 episodes over a few days and this is utterly brilliant. So compelling, and the ending just has you completely captivated. Love it. True 5-star stuff.
16

Liam Payne died, aged 31
was an English singer. He rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction.
12

Alex Salmond died, aged 69
Alex Salmond was a Scottish politician, economist and television host, who served as First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. A prominent figure in the Scottish nationalist movement, he served as Leader of the Alba Party from 2021 to 2024. Salmond was leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), on two occasions, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.
9

Our granddaughter, Esme, was born
Esme was born, at 5.11pm at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon. She weighed 8lb 3oz.
8

COVID booster and flu jab
Today, Jezz and I both had our annual flu jabs and a COVID booster one, too.
7

Cissy Houston died, aged 91
Cissy Houston was an American soul and gospel singer. She was a founding member of the R&B group The Sweet Inspirations. She was also a backing singer for artists including Roy Hamilton, Dionne Warwick, Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan. Houston embarked on a solo career in 1970, and won two Grammy Awards in the Traditional Gospel Album category. She was also the Mother of Whitney Houston and Aunt to Dionne Warwick.
5

TV: Heartstopper ★★★★★
Series 3. Binged watched over 2 days. All 8 episodes. Love love love this. I’ve realised that watching Heartstopper and feeling myself grinning like mad, with the occasional ‘awe’ and ‘oh, how cute’ all the way through, are real feel good factor moments. In the same way that a song can be.
3

TV: Phillip Schofield Castaway ★★★★★
Superb. Whatever the reason for Phillip to do this special three-episode series, it’s brilliant.
2

Movie: Watcher ★★★★★
Brilliant film.

Purchase: ring Floodlight Cam Wired Pro
An upgrade for the front of house.
1

Purchase: 2 x orange/black neck pillows
I bought two cushions with straps as neck pillows for the car. They are orange (although they do look a quite red in this image).
SEPTEMBER
28

Kristoffer Kristofferson died, aged 88
Kristoffer Kristofferson was an American country singer, songwriter and actor. He wrote the famous songs: “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, all of which were hits for other artists. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in the country music supergroup the Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were a key creative force in the outlaw country music movement that eschewed the traditional Nashville country music machine in favour of independent songwriting and producing. As an actor, Kristofferson was known for his roles in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976) (which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004). Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

Movie: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
This was absolutely brilliant. Remembering the true story in the news from 1989, this 9 episode series shows the life of the two brothers, after and before the murder of their parents. Acting from Cooper Koch, who plays Erik Menendez is so convincing and brilliant. The other superb acting came from Nathan Lane, who played Dominick Dunne.
27

Dame Maggie Smith died, aged 89
Maggie Smith was a British actress. One of Britain’s most recognisable and prolific actresses. She received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards. Smith was one of the few performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting. Amongst many of her acting roles, she is known for her character in Harry Potter, The Last September, Curtain Call, Hook, A Room With A View and my personal favourite, The Lady In The Van.
23

Chris Serle died, aged 81
Chris Serle was a BBC TV presenter, reporter and actor. He’s probably best known for his presenting with Esther Rantzen on BBCTV’s That’s Life.
22

Purchase: New Apple Watch Ultra 2
After weeks of wanting, waiting and saving, Jezz and I bought an Apple Watch each from the Apple Store.
21

Kelly and Charlie move into their new home
It feels like forever, but finally, my heavily pregnant angel and Charlie move into their new dream home.

Meal out: Chinese Takeaway at Nik’s
Jezz and I picked Michèle up and head to Nik’s for a catchup and Chinese takeaway.
15

Tito Jackson died, aged 70
Tito Jackson was an American musician and one of the original Jackson 5 brothers, later known as The Jacksons. I’ve grown listening to their music that includes hit singles, as The Jackson 5; ABC, I’ll Be Back, I’ll Be There, Dancin’ Machine, Never Can Say Goodbye, and then as The Jacksons; Show You The Way To Go, Destiny, Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), Blame It On The Boogie, Can You Feel It?
12

Robin Guy died, aged 54
Robin Guy was a British drummer for the band Sham 69 and All About Eve. I remember the hit single: If The Kids Are United best.
11

Kenneth Cope died, aged 93
Kenneth Cope was an English actor and scriptwriter. He was best known for his roles as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Jed Stone in Coronation Street, Ray Hilton in Brookside, Sid in The Damned and as a minor member of the Carry On Team. He also appeared in Dixon Of Dock Green, The Desperado’s, George and Mildred and many others.
9

James Earl Jones died, aged 93
James Earl Jones was an American actor known for his iconic voice acting roles and for his work in theatre. Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He is probably best known for his voice role as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars film. But is also known for Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990) and The Lion King (1994). He guest starred in many American TV shows including Will & Grace, Law & Order, Frasier, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman and more.
6

Will Jennings died, aged 80
Will Jennings was an American lyricist. He is popularly known for writing the lyrics for the songs “Up Where We Belong”, “Tears in Heaven” and “My Heart Will Go On.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and won several awards including three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards. He wrote for a variety of recording artists including: Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Joe Sample, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, and Roy Orbison. With Joe Sample, Jennings wrote “Street Life” (a world-wide hit for the Crusaders with singer Randy Crawford). Both of them also wrote Randy Crawford’s “One Day I’ll Fly Away.”
5

Herbie Flowers died, aged 86
Herbie Flowers was an English musician specialising in electric bass, double bass and tuba. He was noted as a member of Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky.
Flowers contributed to recordings by Elton John, David Bowie (Space Oddity, Diamond Dogs), Lou Reed (Walk on the Wild Side), Melanie (Candles in the Rain), David Essex (Rock On), Bryan Ferry (The Bride Stripped Bare), Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, Olivia Newton-John, Sally Oldfield, Steve Harley, Cliff Richard, and more.
He also played bass on Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.
2

James Darren died, aged 88
James Darren was an American television and film actor, television director, and singer. As well as a regular role as a police officer in TJ Hooker, he is best remembered as Dr Tony Newman in the TV series The Time Tunnel. He also played Vic Fontaine in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appeared in Police Woman, The Love Boat, Hawaii Five-0, Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island, Diagnosis Murder, Melrose Place and many more.

Event: My car is back
Finally, my car is back with me. It went off for repair on 29 July and it was ready yesterday. I wanted to charge the rental car so that I could give it back with the same amount of charge as when it arrived. Everyone at Enterprise Car Rental, South Croydon and Coombe Coachworks, Sutton have been superb. Excellent service throughout. I bought them both a tray of doughnuts each from Asda.
1

Movie: Broken
This is a very depressing film, but well-made.
AUGUST
28

Kristoffer Kristofferson died, aged 88
Kristoffer Kristofferson was an American country singer, songwriter and actor. He wrote the famous songs: “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”, all of which were hits for other artists. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in the country music supergroup the Highwaymen. The Highwaymen were a key creative force in the outlaw country music movement that eschewed the traditional Nashville country music machine in favour of independent songwriting and producing. As an actor, Kristofferson was known for his roles in Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973), Blume in Love (1973), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), A Star Is Born (1976) (which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), Convoy (1978), Heaven’s Gate (1980), Stagecoach (1986), Lone Star (1996), and the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004). Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

Movie: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
This was absolutely brilliant. Remembering the true story in the news from 1989, this 9 episode series shows the life of the two brothers, after and before the murder of their parents. Acting from Cooper Koch, who plays Erik Menendez is so convincing and brilliant. The other superb acting came from Nathan Lane, who played Dominick Dunne.
27

Dame Maggie Smith died, aged 89
Maggie Smith was a British actress. One of Britain’s most recognisable and prolific actresses. She received numerous accolades including two Academy Awards, five BAFTA Awards, four Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards. Smith was one of the few performers to earn the Triple Crown of Acting. Amongst many of her acting roles, she is known for her character in Harry Potter, The Last September, Curtain Call, Hook, A Room With A View and my personal favourite, The Lady In The Van.
23

Chris Serle died, aged 81
Chris Serle was a BBC TV presenter, reporter and actor. He’s probably best known for his presenting with Esther Rantzen on BBCTV’s That’s Life.
22

Purchase: New Apple Watch Ultra 2
After weeks of wanting, waiting and saving, Jezz and I bought an Apple Watch each from the Apple Store.
21

Kelly and Charlie move into their new home
It feels like forever, but finally, my heavily pregnant angel and Charlie move into their new dream home.

Meal out: Chinese Takeaway at Nik’s
Jezz and I picked Michèle up and head to Nik’s for a catchup and Chinese takeaway.
15

Tito Jackson died, aged 70
Tito Jackson was an American musician and one of the original Jackson 5 brothers, later known as The Jacksons. I’ve grown listening to their music that includes hit singles, as The Jackson 5; ABC, I’ll Be Back, I’ll Be There, Dancin’ Machine, Never Can Say Goodbye, and then as The Jacksons; Show You The Way To Go, Destiny, Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground), Blame It On The Boogie, Can You Feel It?
12

Robin Guy died, aged 54
Robin Guy was a British drummer for the band Sham 69 and All About Eve. I remember the hit single: If The Kids Are United best.
11

Kenneth Cope died, aged 93
Kenneth Cope was an English actor and scriptwriter. He was best known for his roles as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), Jed Stone in Coronation Street, Ray Hilton in Brookside, Sid in The Damned and as a minor member of the Carry On Team. He also appeared in Dixon Of Dock Green, The Desperado’s, George and Mildred and many others.
9

James Earl Jones died, aged 93
James Earl Jones was an American actor known for his iconic voice acting roles and for his work in theatre. Over his career, he received three Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Grammy Award. He is probably best known for his voice role as Darth Vader in the original Star Wars film. But is also known for Conan the Barbarian (1982), Coming to America (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), The Hunt for Red October (1990) and The Lion King (1994). He guest starred in many American TV shows including Will & Grace, Law & Order, Frasier, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman and more.
6

Will Jennings died, aged 80
Will Jennings was an American lyricist. He is popularly known for writing the lyrics for the songs “Up Where We Belong”, “Tears in Heaven” and “My Heart Will Go On.” He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and won several awards including three Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Academy Awards. He wrote for a variety of recording artists including: Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Joe Sample, Mariah Carey, Jimmy Buffett, Barry Manilow, and Roy Orbison. With Joe Sample, Jennings wrote “Street Life” (a world-wide hit for the Crusaders with singer Randy Crawford). Both of them also wrote Randy Crawford’s “One Day I’ll Fly Away.”
5

Herbie Flowers died, aged 86
Herbie Flowers was an English musician specialising in electric bass, double bass and tuba. He was noted as a member of Blue Mink, T. Rex and Sky.
Flowers contributed to recordings by Elton John, David Bowie (Space Oddity, Diamond Dogs), Lou Reed (Walk on the Wild Side), Melanie (Candles in the Rain), David Essex (Rock On), Bryan Ferry (The Bride Stripped Bare), Harry Nilsson, Cat Stevens, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, Olivia Newton-John, Sally Oldfield, Steve Harley, Cliff Richard, and more.
He also played bass on Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds.
2

James Darren died, aged 88
James Darren was an American television and film actor, television director, and singer. As well as a regular role as a police officer in TJ Hooker, he is best remembered as Dr Tony Newman in the TV series The Time Tunnel. He also played Vic Fontaine in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also appeared in Police Woman, The Love Boat, Hawaii Five-0, Charlie’s Angels, Fantasy Island, Diagnosis Murder, Melrose Place and many more.

Event: My car is back
Finally, my car is back with me. It went off for repair on 29 July and it was ready yesterday. I wanted to charge the rental car so that I could give it back with the same amount of charge as when it arrived. Everyone at Enterprise Car Rental, South Croydon and Coombe Coachworks, Sutton have been superb. Excellent service throughout. I bought them both a tray of doughnuts each from Asda.
1

Movie: Broken
This is a very depressing film, but well-made.
JULY
30

Movie: Jamesy Boy ★★★★★
Superb, excellent movie. Absolutely brilliant. Enjoyed the story line and fancy the pants off Spencer Rocco Lofranco who played James Burns.
29

Drama: Car accident with a bus
a bus pulled out and sliced down the side of my beautiful car. Spent most of the day sorting out insurance claim and courtesy car.
28

Movie: The Accompanist ★★
Well, I watched it all. Too much dancing and images of the horizon.

Movie: Soft Lad ★★★★★
And yet again, another excellent gay movie. This story is brilliant. David (Jonny Labey) has been having an affair with his sister’s husband, Jules, played by Daniel Brocklebank (Billy from Coronation Street). It gets so much worse when revelations unfold. Superb film.
27

Movie: Fair Haven ★★★★★
Another excellent gay movie. I’ve seen a few now. This one stars Michael Grant, who plays James and Josh Green, who plays Charlie. A wonderful story of how conversion therapy doesn’t work and James returns back to his home and falls back in love with his boyfriend, Charlie. But, it’s not to anyone else’s approval.

Movie: Akron ★★★★★
Absolutely beautiful film. It was on Prime Video and one of their LGBTQ+ movies. Christopher, played by Edmund Donovan is really sexy. But then, so was Matthew Frias, who played Benny. Christopher’s Mother had a car accident in a shopping car park years before, but the people involved are reunited once again when their children for a relationship. A must watch.
25

Movie: Home Invasion ★★★★★
A brilliant movie. Tense, gripping, thrilling… just good story line, good action and acting not bad either. Scott Adkins, who plays one of the baddies, is super fit and sexy.
24

Movie: Ouija ★★★
It was ok… on in the background and didn’t really have me captivated enough for it to be a great film. Music and end credit music was good though.
21

Movie: Tiger Orange ★★★★★
Another LGBTQI+ film. I fancied Frankie Valenti and his character. A good film, interesting story line, weak ending but still… a great film.

Evelyn Thomas died, aged 70
Evelyn Thomas was an American singer from Chicago, Illinois, best known for the hi-NRG dance hits “High Energy.”
20

Movie: Insignificant ★★
OK. For the first time, every actor in this film was poor, including the lead role. The story line was tame and the ending confusing.
19

Epsom Playhouse: Ahh Freak Out
An evening out at the theatre, watching a show that pays tribute to disco music from the 1970s and 1980s. It was an excellent night. Great music, sang to everything.

Movie: Shelter ★★★★★
The title of this movie was billed by Amazon as Suddenly California.
Another excellent movie from Amazon Prime’s LGBTQI+ category. I so loved Trevor Wright’s character as Zach. His devotion to his family is abused by his sister, but the romance between him and his best mate’s brother is so cute. It turns out good and you’re quite not sure til the end, how!

Ray Reardon died, aged 91
Ray Reardon was a Welsh professional snooker player. He won the World Snooker Championship six times and more than a dozen other tournaments. Reardon was World Champion in 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1978, and runner-up in 1982. He won the inaugural Pot Black tournament in 1969, the 1976 Masters, and the 1982 Professional Players Tournament. Reardon was the first player to be ranked “world number one” when world rankings were introduced during the 1976–77 season, a position that he held for the next five years.
18

Bob Newhart died, aged 94
Bob Newhart was an American comedian and actor. He is known for his deadpan and stammering delivery style. Beginning as a stand-up comedian, he transitioned his career to acting in television. He had received numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour in 2002.

Movie: Complete Strangers ★★★★★
An excellent movie in the LGBTQI+ genre. Such an amazing and unforeseen twist at one point. Well acted, sexy and a little dark. Loved it.
16

Movie: The Weekend Away ★★★★★
A superb film, twists and turns throughout that keeps your attention.
14

TV Series: Derry Girls ★★★★★
Just brilliant. An excellent series. Watched all episodes now. Funny, entertaining and you get used to the Irish accent quite quickly.
13

Shannen Doherty died, aged 53
Shannen Doherty was an American actress who played roles in both television and film, including Jenny Wilder in Little House on the Prairie (1982–1983), Maggie Malene in Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985), Kris Witherspoon in Our House (1986–1988), Heather Duke in Heathers (1989), Brenda Walsh in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–1994), 90210 (2008–2009) and BH90210 (2019), Prue Halliwell in Charmed (1998–2001), and Dobbs in Fortress (2021). Doherty died of cancer in 2024.

Richard Simmons died, aged 76
Richard Simmons was an American fitness personality and public figure. He had promoted weight-loss programs, most prominently through his Sweatin’ to the Oldies line of aerobics videos.

Thomas Matthew Crooks died, aged 20
Thomas Crooks was an American dietary aide who attempted to assassinate Donald Trump, the former President of the United States and presumptive Republican Party nominee for the 2024 presidential election. On July 13, 2024, Crooks shot Donald Trump at a political rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. He injured Trump and two attendees, and killed another. He was subsequently killed by the Secret Service Counter Assault Team. An investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is underway, and his motivation remains unknown.
12

Dr Ruth died, aged 96
Dr Ruth (Karola Ruth Westheimer), was a German and American sex therapist, talk show host, author, academic, and Holocaust survivor.
9

Movie: Spenser Confidential ★★★★★
A good film starring Mark Wahlberg. Action packed, good story line.
1

Movie: Supacell ★★★★★
This first season of six episodes is superb. Josh Tedeku, who plays Tazer, is excellent. I remember him from A Town Called Malice. Tosin Cole (Michael), Eric Kofi Abrefa (Andre), Nadine Mills (Sabrina), Calvin Demba (Rodney), were also amazing.

Movie: The Guilty ★★★
I’m not sure about this one. It was good because it has Jake Gyllenhaal in it. But the pauses and the story line were frustrating at best.
JUNE
27

Martin Mull died, aged 80
Martin Mull was an American comic actor whose career included contributions as a musician and painter. Mull gained visibility on screen for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and its spin-off Fernwood 2 Night. His other notable roles include Colonel Mustard in the 1985 film Clue, Leon Carp on Roseanne, Willard Kraft on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Vlad Masters / Vlad Plasmius on Danny Phantom, and Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development. He had a recurring role on Two and a Half Men as Russell, the drug-using, humorous pharmacist. He appeared in Grace and Frankie, Roseanne, The Golden Girls, Taxi. He has also been a voice on TV shows, Danny Phantom, American Dad, Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons and Family Guy.
26

Worthing Day Out 2024
Jezz, Nik and I planned a day out while Jezz was off for a week. We headed out around 10am to miss the school hour and took the M23 and A24 to Worthing. The journey took around 1 hour and 15 minutes and the weather was absolutely perfect, if not a little too hot.
After finding a parking space for three hours, we headed off to the town centre and walked through the open market, trying to stay in the shade. Jezz then found a Wimpy in town by looking on his phone, and we went there for lunch.
Then, after moving the car to a new spot along the parade, we got an ice cream and went to the pier. We all had a go on the 2p machines, went for a drink in the bar and took more photos. After a stroll around M&S, we went back to the car and came home. A brilliant and excellent day out.
25

Bill Cobbs died, aged 90
Bill Cobbs was an American actor, known for such film roles as Louisiana Slim in The Hitter (1979), Walter in The Brother from Another Planet (1984), Reginald in Night at the Museum (2006) and Master Tinker on Oz the Great and Powerful (2013). He also played Lewis Coleman on I’ll Fly Away (1991–1993), Jack on The Michael Richards Show (2000), and had guest appearances on Walker, Texas Ranger and The Sopranos. In 2012, he had a reoccurring role as George in the sitcom, Go On. In 2020, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Performance in a Daytime Program for the series Dino Dana.
24

Crazy Golf Session
To kickstart Jezz’s week off, he organised for us both to go to World Of Golf, in Surrey. I’ve never been to any Crazy Golf before, and this was more fun than I thought it was going to be. There were 18 holes, and no one came in after us, so it felt as though we had the place to ourselves. We took loads of photos and a few videos.

Wimbledon Common Picnic
After an hour or so at crazy golf, Jezz and I headed for Wimbledon Common for a picnic that we had prepared earlier at home. It was a gorgeous day, maybe a little too hot. We only stayed for under an hour, but it was nice.
20

Donald Sutherland died, aged 88
Donald Sutherland was a Canadian actor. With a career spanning six decades. He received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. He is considered one of the best actors never nominated for an Academy Award, but was given an Academy Honorary Award in 2017. Sutherland rose to fame after starring in films such as The Dirty Dozen (1967), MAS*H (1970), and Kelly’s Heroes (1970).
He also starred in many films including The Eagle Has Landed (1976), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), The First Great Train Robbery (1978), Ordinary People (1980), Backdraft (1991), JFK (1991), The Italian Job (2003), and Pride & Prejudice (2005).
19

Jezz get taken to A&E by ambulance
After several nights of chest pains, coughing convulsions and vomiting, and this evening it lasting more than 4 hours, we decided it was time we got help and called 111. An ambulance arrived and two lovely paramedics, did an ECG, advised he gets checked out at the hospital. We got there at 4 and didn’t leave until 2.30pm. He had three more ECG’s, 2 blood tests, treatments for anti-sickness, pain relief and blood thinning. A very thorough doctor consulted with a cardiologist and while there was no evidence of cardiac arrest, the tests were carried as though he had. This resulted in them suspecting a new onset of angina and sent home with medication. He is being referred for an electrocardiogram, (ECG while undergoing exercises) and should get an appointment in the next 2 weeks.
17

Paul Spencer died, aged 53
Paul Spencer was a third of the band, Dario G. A trio of English DJs and producers. The band were most famous for their UK No. 2 hit single, Sunchyme, in 1997. Scott Rosser, and Stephen Spencer were the other band members. Other hits included: “Dream To Me” and “Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven).”
15

Kevin Campbell died, aged 54
Kevin Campbell was an English professional footballer, sports television pundit and co-commentator. A striker, he played in the Premier League for Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Everton and West Bromwich Albion. He also played in the Turkish Süper Lig for Trabzonspor, and in the Football League for Arsenal, Leyton Orient, Leicester City and Cardiff City.
14

Movie: Nope ★★★
It’s an ok film. A bit daft and a tad slow.
12

Movie: Big Game ★★★★★
Nice. Good Acton-packed, a little daft but wonderful film.
10

Michael Mosley died, aged 67
Michael Mosley was a British television journalist, producer, presenter, and writer who worked for the BBC from 1985. He was a presenter of television programmes on biology and medicine and regularly appeared on The One Show. Mosley was an advocate of intermittent fasting and low-carbohydrate diets who wrote books promoting the ketogenic diet. He died while on holiday on the Greek island of Symi in June 2024.
8

New tap fitted to the driveway
Today, Essy came round and installed our outside garden water tap, on to the wall under the kitchen window. This will enable us to use the water more easily when washing the cars with the pressure washer.
Essy also fitted a new light fitting in the downstairs toilet, so now we have a motion-censored light that is also connected to our light system in the home.
6

Nicholas Ball died, aged 78
Nicholas Ball was an English actor. He was best known for playing the title role in the television series Hazell.
He portrayed the vicious gang lord Terry Bates in EastEnders between 2007 and 2009. He played Garry Ryan in series five of Footballers’ Wives and both series of its spin-off programme, Footballers’ Wives: Extra Time. In 2019, he appeared in an advert for Premier Inn, playing the part of Lenny Henry’s manager. Nicholas Ball was married to actress–comedian and psychologist, Pamela Stephenson from 1978 until her affair—and eventual elopement, with Billy Connolly.
Other TV shows he appeared include: The Young Ones, Bergerac, Heartbeat, Red Dwarf, Jonathan Creek, Eastenders, Hustle, Holby City, Doctors and more.
3

William Russell died, aged 99
William Russell was an English actor who performed as both Russell Enoch and William Russell. He first achieved prominence in the title role of the TV series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (1956–1957). In 1963, he was in the original lead cast of BBC1’s Doctor Who, playing the role of schoolteacher Ian Chesterton from the show’s first episode until 1965.
Russell’s film roles include parts in The Man Who Never Was (1956), The Great Escape (1963) and Superman (1978). On TV, he appeared as Ted Sullivan in Coronation Street in 1992. In his later years, he continued his association with Doctor Who and returned as Ian for a 2022 cameo in “The Power of the Doctor”, 57 years after the character left, which won him a Guinness World Record for the longest gap between TV appearances.
2

Jeannette Charles died, aged 96
Jeannette Charles was a British actress who was often chosen to portray Queen Elizabeth II because of her supposed physical resemblance to the monarch. I remember her best for her portrayal of our former Queen, in the movie: “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!”

Colin Gibb died, aged 70
Colin Gibb was a British musician, best known as an original member of Black Lace, who were famous for their novelty party records, including their biggest hit, “Agadoo”.
MAY
29

Movie: Black And Blue ★★★★★
An excellent movie. Loved it for the action and good story line.
28

Movie: In His Shadow ★★★
Not a bad film. I stayed watching. Reasonable story line.
26

Event: Amanda came round for the afternoon
Jezz prepared the furniture on the decking in the garden and when Amanda arrived, we sat out and had an elegant afternoon tea with quiche and cakes.
22

Movie: Security ★★★★★
Antonio Banderas and Ben Kingsley star in this good film. Plenty of action, some of it daft but great.
18

Frank Ifield died, aged 86
Frank Ifield was an Australian country music singer and guitarist who often incorporated yodelling into his music. After living in Australia, Ifield returned to the United Kingdom in November 1959 where he had four number-one hits on the UK Singles Chart in the early 1960s with his cover versions of “I Remember You”, “Lovesick Blues”, “The Wayward Wind” and “Confessin’ That I Love You”. My favourite Frank I field song was “She Taught Me How To Yodel.”
18

Dabney Coleman died, aged 92
Dabney Coleman was an American actor. He is probably best known for his role as Franklin M. Hart, Jr. in the film 9 to 5 (1980) with Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, but also in films including, On Golden Pond (1981), Tootsie (1982), WarGames (1983), Cloak & Dagger (1984), The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), Recess: School’s Out (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), and Rules Don’t Apply (2016). He has starred in 57 movies, but his appearances in TV shows are equally impressive, no less than 62, including, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Outer Limits, I Dream Of Jeanie, Bonanza, Columbo, Kojak, McMillan and Wife, Quincy M.E., The Love Boat, Barnaby Jones, Diff’rent Strokes, Buffalo Bill and many more.
Dabney Coleman was an American actor. He is probably best known for his role as Franklin M. Hart, Jr. in the film 9 to 5 (1980) with Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, but also inf films including, On Golden Pond (1981), Tootsie (1982), WarGames (1983), Cloak & Dagger (1984), The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), You’ve Got Mail (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), Recess: School’s Out (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), and Rules Don’t Apply (2016). He has starred in 57 movies, but his appearances in TV shows are equally impressive, no less than 62, including, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Outer Limits, I Dream Of Jeanie, Bonanza, Columbo, Kojak, McMillan and Wife, Quincy M.E., The Love Boat, Barnaby Jones, Diff’rent Strokes, Buffalo Bill and many more.
15

Movie: The Unforgivable ★★★★★
Sandra Bullock does it every time, for me. Absolutely spectacular performance. Great film, slightly slow at the beginning but an amazing twist in the story line towards the end.
14

TV Series: Who Killed Jill Dando ★★★★
An interesting watch, with interviews from the police officers, family members and co-workers of Jill Dando. Also, an interview with the man accused, charged and sentenced but acquitted 8 years later.

Jimmy James died, aged 83
Jimmy James was a Jamaican-British soul singer, known for songs like “Come to Me Softly”, “Now Is the Time” and “I’ll Go Where Your Music Takes Me”. Based in Britain, he performed as the lead singer of Jimmy James and the Vagabonds from the mid-1960s.
13

Gudrun Ure died, aged 98
Gudrun Ure, known as Ann Gudrun, was a Scottish actress, most famous for her portrayal of the title character, Super Gran. She also starred in the comedy movies: Carry On Regardless in 1961 and Doctor In The House in 1954 as well as the film: the Million Pound Note, also in 1954.

Movie: The Courier ★★★
This was ok. Quite enjoyed it. Acting was ok. Action was plentiful. Bit daft in places.

Movie: Sleepless ★★
Story line was great, choreography for the fighting was good, acting ok. But… it just went way over the top with the ‘too-ing and fro-ing” of one minute good guy is winning, then the bad is winning. A rollercoaster ride that became tedious and predictable. But it was a good action movie overall. Jamie Foxx was pretty good.
12

David Sanborn died, aged 78
David Sanborn was an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blended jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. Aside from working with the legend Bob James, look at this catalogue of famous artists that he has played with:
James Brown, Bryan Ferry, Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, the Brecker Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Players Association, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Al Jarreau, Kenny G, George Benson, Joe Beck, Donny Hathaway, Elton John, Carly Simon, Guru, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel, Kenny Garrett, Steely Dan, the Eagles, The Rolling Stones, and Toto.
There’s more: Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Lou Reed, Santana, Leonard Cohen, Was (Not Was), and Curtis Mayfield.
8

Movie: I Know What You Did Last Summer ★★★
I like Freddie Prinze Jr and I love Ryan Phillippe, but this movie was silly, at best. It would’ve been nicer to have so many predictable scenes and maybe less girlie screams.
5

Bernard Hill died, aged 79
Bernard Hill was an English actor. He is known for playing Théoden, King of Rohan, in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, Captain Edward Smith in Titanic, and Luther Plunkitt, the Warden of San Quentin Prison in the Clint Eastwood film True Crime. In 2005, he portrayed David Blunkett, Home Secretary and Labour MP in Channel 4s A Very Social Secretary, as well as Vin Fox in 1980, in the TV drama, Fox. He played John Lennon, in John Lennon: A Journey In The Life, in 1985. He was a narrator for popular TV shows such as Horizon and Timewatch, and more.
4

Movie: The Black Phone ★★★★
It’s good. I liked it. It kept me glued to it, so I wouldn’t miss any of the plot. A little scary in parts but an excellent watch.
2

TV Series: Baby Reindeer ★★★★★
Oh my gosh. So intense. It’s an splendid true story about the life of a comedian who is stalked by Martha, an obese ex-lawyer who is known to the police and has been convicted in the past. It’s painstaking and gripping, all 7 episodes.
APRIL
28

Meal out: At Vicki’s
Jezz and I drove down to Handcross and met with Vicki. We had a great catch up, the food was excellent, and I just adore Vick.
26

Movie: The Inspection ★★★★★
Great film. Jeremy Pope was excellent.
25

Movie: Cold Pursuit ★★★★★
Another great movie starring Liam Neeson.
19

Movie: Fun Mom Dinner ★★★★
A superb film. Totally action-packed, excellent story line, well acted by Taraji P. Henson who played Mary. But also, Jahi Di’Allo Winston who played Danny Miller, weas just so believable. A brilliant young actor who I first saw in the movie: ‘We Have A Ghost.’
18

Meal out: Taș Grill, North Cheam
Jezz and I met up with Nik, Caiger and Michèle at the Turkish restaurant, Taș. Food and service were all good. Had a lovely evening.
13

Meal out: Bar and Block, Sutton – Couple Night Out
Jezz and I join 4 other couples, who are mostly partners from his workplace. We met at the Bar & Block Grill steakhouse in Sutton. We all had a cocktail or two during the buy one, get one free hour, then were seated. Jezz and I, and several others, had the steak sampler and their loaded fries are delicious, so are the garlic mushrooms.
10

OJ Simpson died, aged 73
OJ Simpson was an American football player and actor. Despite his highly successful careers as both an NFL player for 11 series, playing for the Buffalo Bills, and as an actor, appearing in no less than 37 TV and film productions, OJ Simpson is probably most remembered for his trial and controversial aquittal of his former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994. On the night of June 12, 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ron Goldman, were found stabbed to death in the courtyard outside Brown’s condo in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles.
8

Movie: Proud Mary ★★★★★
A superb film. Totally action-packed, excellent story line, well acted by Taraji P. Henson who played Mary. But also, Jahi Di’Allo Winston who played Danny Miller, weas just so believable. A brilliant young actor who I first saw in the movie: ‘We Have A Ghost.’
7

Movie: Fall ★★★★
Very realistic – at times it really feels as though you’re up there, with them. I liked it.

Movie: Sniper Rogue Mission ★★★
A bit daft, but plenty of action to keep you watching.

Movie: Scoop ★★★★★
A brilliant film. All about the BBCs Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew. But, the interviewer, Emily Maitlis was played by the phenomenal Gillian Anderson. And Billie Piper was superb too. Great story and great film.

Event: New medication
I started a new drug today, by injection. It was okay during, but just a few hours later, I was in agony. Ibuprofen, Paracetamol and an ice pack, and it was only slightly better. I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to cope, if this is the pain each time, but if it’s short-lived, I’ll give it a go.
MARCH
31

Barbara Baldavin died, aged 85
Barbara Baldavin was an American television and film actress.Baldavin mainly performed in dramatic roles. In the late 1960s, she played a small recurring part in Star Trek as Angela Martine, in season 1, episodes “Balance of Terror” and “Shore Leave”. She married the casting director of Star Trek, The Original Series, Joseph D’Agosta. However, she also appeared in so many other programmes, Rawhide, The Fugitive, Columbo, McMillan & Wife, Airport 1975, Quincy M.E. and more.

Barbara Rush died, aged 97
Barbara Rush was an American actress. In 1954, Rush won the Golden Globe Award as most promising female newcomer for her role in the 1953 American science-fiction film It Came from Outer Space. Later in her career, Rush became a regular performer in the television series Peyton Place, and appeared in TV movies, miniseries, and a variety of other programs, including the soap opera All My Children and family drama 7th Heaven. She also starred in films, including The Young Philadelphians, The Young Lions, Robin and the 7 Hoods, and Hombre.
But it was her notoriety for her roles in TV shows that I remember her most. Shows including: Batman, Peyton Place, The Fugitive, Marcus Welby M.D., Ironside, Maude, The Streets Of San Francisco, The New Sick Van Dyke Show, Cannon, The Bionic Woman, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Knight Rider, Magnum P.I., Murder She Wrote, The Outer Limits and many more.
29

Louis Gossett died, aged 87
Louis Gossett was an American actor. In 1977, he appeared in the popular miniseries Roots, for which he won Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series at the Emmy Awards.
Gossett continued acting in high-profile films, television, plays, and video games. In 1982, for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and became the first black actor to win in this category.
28

Movie: Poms ★★★★★
Absolutely bloody brilliant film. Diane Keaton, epic as always, Jacki Weaver, Rhea Perlman, Alisha Boe and Charlie Tahan all star in this amazing storyline. For me, Jacki Weaver, who played Sheryl was outstanding.
27

George Gilbey died, aged 40
George Gilbey was a British TV personality, famed by Channel 4s Gogglebox. He also appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother.
George Gilbey, his mother Linda and late stepfather, Pete, were a regular fixture on the Channel 4 show between 2013 and 2018.
26

Movie: Bonded By Blood 2 ★★★
Sam Strike was good. A violent film though.
25

Vincent Bonham died, aged 67
Vincent Bonham was an American singer and original founder member of the 70s soul band ‘Raydio.’ He was front singer with childhood friend, Ray Parker Jnr. and responsible for the vocals on hits including: “Jack and Jill,” “You Can’t Change That,” “Is This A Love Thing,” “Two Places At The Same Time” and later in 1981, “A Woman Needs A Love.” I’ve been a big fan of the group since they began in 1978. Vincent Bonham is a musical prodigy and genius playing keyboards, guitar, bass, percussion, and horns.
Vincent Bonham has also worked with the likes of Prince, Chaka Khan, Evelyn Champagne King, Maxine Nightingale and many more.
24

Movie: Lou ★★★★
Alison Janney plays an ex-CIA agent, hiding away on an island. As a child is kidnapped by her own father, Lou joins forces with the child’s mother. Together, they must track him down before he leaves the island. Also stars Jurnee Smollett, Matt Craven and Logan Marshall-Green.
I watched this movie from Nextflix, with spatial audio Dolby Stereo surround sound, with Jezz in his room, with the sofa pulled out, and a picnic organised by him, with a heated blanket. Awe.
23

Richard Taylor died, aged 75
Richard Taylor was the campaigner and father of Damilola Taylor. Damilola was stabbed in the leg and left to die, in a stairwell in South East London, in November 2000. He was just 10 years old. Richard campaigned for the rest of his life and wanted the memory of his son to be remembered as a boy of hope and for his legacy to be a better life and opportunities for underprivileged young people.
21

Movie: Crown Vic ★★★
This was another of those movies that was billed as something else in the TV listings, Bulletproof, but either way, quite a good film.
17

Movie: Case 39 ★★★★★
This is more like it, an excellent film. Renée Zellweger stars and Bradley Cooper and Ian McShane is in it too. All characters were great, and the entire film was gripping, tense, and full of twists.

Steve Harley died, aged 73
Steve Harley was an English singer and songwriter, best known as frontman of the rock group Cockney Rebel. He scored five UK hit singles with the band in the mid-1970s, including the number one “Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me).”

Billy
My nephew, Billy, would be in his 31st year, this year. Today is the anniversary of his passing, 29 years ago, 17 March 1995. A most harrowing time for my sister, Nikki.
11

Eric Carmen died, aged 74
Eric Carmen was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist. He was the lead singer of the band Raspberries. He’s probably best known for his 1975 solo single “All By Myself.” It was also recorded by Celine Dion in 1996.
5

Movie: Leave The World Behind ★
OMG – I’m not sure that this isn’t the most infuriating film ever. Absolutely and totally annoying. It leaves me with the feeling that I’ll never get those 2 hours and 21 minutes back. SHIT movie.
4

Tony Green died, aged 85
Tony Green was a British sports commentator and television announcer. He’s best known for his co-hosting on the British TV game show, Bullseye. He was the commentator for the annual WDF World Darts Championships, 1978 to 2016.
FEBRUARY
28

Movie: Wasteland ★★★★
Three in a row – another good film.
27

Movie: The Abyss (2023) ★★★★
Another good film from Netflix, good story and terrific effects.
22

Movie: Baby Driver ★★★★★
Awesome film. Excellent from start to finish. Gripping, loved the story, loved the main character and the actor who played him even more, Ansel Elgort. It also starred Kevin Spacey, who was brilliant, too.
21

John Savident died, aged 86
John Savident was a wonderful British actor, known for his numerous television roles, including his portrayal of Fred Elliott in Coronation Street from 1994 to 2006. He was also known for his performance as Monsieur Firmin in the West End cast of The Phantom of the Opera. His other credits included The Avengers (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971), The Professionals (1978), Blake’s 7 (1979), Yes Minister (1980), Gandhi (1982), The Remains of the Day (1993) and Middlemarch (1994).
20

Robin Windsor died, aged 44
Robin Windsor was a British dancer and known for his appearances on BBCTVs Strictly Come Dancing. He mentored and danced with celebrities, including Susanna Reid, Lisa Riley, Patsy Kensit, Anita Dobson and Deborah Meaden.
19

Ewan MacIntosh died, aged 50
Ewan MacIntosh was a Welsh actor and comedian known for his role as Keith Bishop in The Office (2001–2003). But I’ve also seen him in Miranda and Little Britain.
19

Movie: Blood Red Sky ★
What a totally pathetic waste of my time. Just fucking awful.
15

Movie: Welcome To The Punch ★★★
It’s a fast-paced enough movie to keep you watching, but it’s missing something to make it a four-star film, for me.
15

Steve Wright died, aged 69
Steve Wright was an English radio personality, occasional television presenter and disc jockey. He presented Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 1 for 12 years and an amazing 23 years on Radio 2. Steve Wright was a DJ hero of mine.
8

Movie: Last Night In Soho★★★
An OK but weird and dark story line. Didn’t really keep up with it but watched it to the end.
7

Henry Rambrough died, aged 85
Henry Rambrough was an American vocalist, known for being a member of the R&B quintet The Spinners (also called The Detroit Spinners and The Motown Spinners) from 1954 until his retirement in April 2023. He was the last surviving original member of The Spinners from 2013 until his death. I remember most the single “Ghetto Child” and Henry was of the lead singers.

Movie: Disquiet ★★★★
A good film, but left me a little confused. Couldn’t keep up with it but understood the ending.
6

Movie: Haunt ★★★★
A good film. Scary and jumpy but, for the first time in a long while, all in context. Good acting all round.
5

Michael Jayston died, aged 88
Michael Jayston, was an English actor. He played Nicholas II of Russia in the film Nicholas and Alexandra (1971). He also made many television appearances, which included portraying Peter Guillam in the 1979 miniseries Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, playing the Valeyard in all fourteen episodes of the Doctor Who serial The Trial of a Time Lord (1986). Furthermore, he appeared in the Only Fools and Horses episode Time on Our Hands (1996) as Raquel’s father, James. But, he’s also appeared in EastEnders, Coronation Street, Only Fools and Horses, The Darling Buds of May, Tales of the Unexpected, The Bill and the character of Donald De Souza in Emmerdale. He has also appeared in Foyle’s War, Holby City, Sherlock Holmes, Tracy Beaker Returns, and Midsomer Murders.
3

Our third EV charger unit in installed
We’ve had our now, third, EV charging unit installed today. The last one had no way of locking the cable to the charger, only the car. Hopefully, this tethered Ohme Home Pro unit will give us peace of mind.
2

Ian Lavender died, aged 77
Ian Lavender was an English stage, film and television actor. He was best known for his role as Private Pike in the BBC sitcom Dad’s Army, and was the last surviving cast member of the series following the death of Frank Williams in 2022.

Jonnie Irwin died, aged 50
Jonnie Irwin was an English television presenter, writer, lecturer, business, and property expert. He presented “A Place In The Sun — Home Or Away” on Channel 4. He was also the presenter of BBCs “A Place In The Sun” and “Escape To The Country.”