2024

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

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.

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NOVEMBER

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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.

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SEPTEMBER

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

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AUGUST

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JULY

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

APRIL

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).”

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.

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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

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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.”

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