Goodbyes of 2025

There is quite a long list this year.

Jocelyn Wildenstein. Catwoman.

Wayne Osmond. One of 'The Osmonds'.

Denis Law. Footballer.

Linda Nolan. One of 'The Nolans'.

Dame Joan Plowright. Actress.

Marianne Faithful. Chanteuse, and personal acquaintance.

Brian Murphy. George of 'George and Mildred'.

Roberta Flack. Singer.

Gene Hackman. Actor.

Jack Vettriano. Scottish painter.

Eddie Jordon. Formula 1 supremo.

Barry Fantoni. Artist, writer, contributor to Private Eye.

George Foreman. Boxer.

Richard Chamberlain. Dr Kildare.

Edward Evans (Father Ted). Genius jewelry maker.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Pope.

Virginia Giuffre. (?)

Alan Yentob. Old school friend and top BBC TV man (above).

Loretta Swit. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan.

Brian Wilson. Beach boy.

Sandy Gall. UK News at Ten presenter.

Lord (Norman) Tebbit. IRA bombing survivor, and Tory grandee.

Connie Francis. 'Stupid Cupid' singer.

Ozzy Osbourne. British rocker.

Hulk Hogan. Wrestler.

Cleo Laine. Jazz singer.

Sylvia Young. Stage School founder.

Ray Brooks. Brighton's own actor. 'Cathy Come Home' etc.

Terence Stamp. Handsome actor.

Frank Caprio. US TV Judge.

Joe Bugner. Boxer.

Giorgio Armani. Fashionista.

HRH The Duchess of Kent. Well-loved UK royal, and presenter of Wimbledon trophies.

Ricky Hatton. 'Hitman' Boxer.

Robert Redford. 'The Sundance Kid'.

Dickie Bird. Cricket's most famous umpire.

Claudia Cardinale. Italian actress.

Dame Jane Goodall. Champion of Chimps.

Dame Patricia Routledge. Mrs Bucket.

Jilly Cooper. Raunchy Writer.

Prunella Scales. a.k.a. Sybil Fawlty.

Jimmy Cliff. No more 'Rivers to Cross'.

Sir Tom Stoppard. Playwright.

Stanley Baxter. Scottish comedian.

Chris Rea. Finally, driven home for Christmas.

Brigitte Bardot. Sex kitten.

N.B. Alan Y and I were great friends at school. We first met on the train from London's Liverpool Street heading for our new upper school, we just happened to get into the same carriage. Then, from that first moment, we stuck together and looked after each other's interests. HE, of course, later became very well known in the world of TV, as I opted for the anonymity of the French countryside. Knowing that he's no longer with us is strange. I find his photo above very haunting; it takes me right back to that train journey in 1960, and I genuinely miss him. I can still see that apprehensive schoolboy look in Alan's face as we sat in that railway carriage, and he probably saw the same in mine. RIP old friend.