Latest News

• 5th December 2017

  Taking The Mickey!

  

  King Michael of Romania has joined the ever growing list of successes for DeathList 2017. The 96 year old former monarch passed away after announcing he was suffering from cancer last year. King Michael, who was a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, had two spells as King of Romania, the second ending in 1947 when the communist Government banned the monarchy. He was then forced into exile for many years, finally being able to visit Romania again in 1992. Michael spent much of his later life in Switzerland where he died. King Michael was making his first appearance on DeathList this year, with his advanced age and diagnosis securing him 21st place. His death marks the 17th success of this record-breaking year.
  1 appearance: 2017 (21)
  

  17th Death

  Age: 96, King of Romania, Cause of death: Cancer

• 25th October 2017

  Domino's Toppled

  

  Legendary rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, Fats Domino, has boogie woogied for the final time to move DeathList 2017 up to a total of 16 successes and counting. Domino released his first record, “The Fat Man”, in 1949, which has subsequently been named by some as the first successful rock ‘n’ roll record. Domino released nearly 100 singles and some 50 albums over the 30 years of his recording career, selling more that 65 million records in the process. His most famous records included Blueberry Hill, Ain’t that Shame and I Hear You Knocking. Fats was 89 years old when he died and had been a regular on DeathList for many years, this year finding 38th spot.
  9 appearances: 2017 (38), 2016 (32), 2014 (47), 2013 (47), 2012 (46), 2010 (47), 2008 (18), 1997 (30), 1996 (33)
  

  16th Death

  Age: 89, Singer, Cause of death: Natural causes

• 18th October 2017

  Tragically RIP

  

  The Tragically Hip lead singer, Gord Downie, has, as expected, succumbed to brain cancer to deliver a death that pushes DeathList 2017 into being the most successful DeathList ever. The Tragically Hip formed in 1984 in Ontario, Canada and became one of Canada’s best-known bands. Downie announced in May 2016 that he had terminal brain cancer, but the band continued to tour in the summer of 2016. The band performed their final concert in August 2016, which was broadcast live on Canadian TV and watched by one third of the Canadian population. 53 year old Downie was making his first appearance on DeathList, jumping straight into 16th position.
  1 appearance: 2017 (16)
  

  15th Death

  Age: 53, Tragically Hip Singer, Cause of death: Brain Cancer

• 28th September 2017

  Hef in Hell?!

  

  Hugh Hefner, legendary Playboy founder, has departed the Playboy Mansion for pastures new to provide DeathList 2017 with a record equalling 14 deaths. Hefner started Playboy magazine in 1953. The first issue included a nude centrefold of Marilyn Monroe which Hefner had managed to acquire for $500 and the rest is history. Playboy magazine managed to blend a combination of soft pornography with celebrity interviews and achieved huge success. In 1965, the brand started to expand creating a series of Playboy Clubs, which operated until 1991. Despite changing cultural tastes and a weakening of the Playboy brand, Hefner himself maintained legendary status right up until his death. Hefner had numerous “girlfriends” and married three times, although only one of his wives was within 36 years of his own age. The long running debate as to whether Hefner was a hero or a villain rages on, but three things are for sure: this year he was making his first appearance on DeathList, he was selected in 31st place and he has taken DeathList 2017 to the brink of a new DeathList record.
  1 appearance: 2017 (31)
  

  14th Death

  Age: 91, Playboy, Cause of death: Natural causes

• 26th September 2017

  Boothanasia!

  

  British TV actor, Tony Booth, has provided DeathList with a quick follow up to record the 13th success of the year. Booth was best known for his role as Mike Rawlins in the shockingly racist 1960s/70s BBC sitcom, Till Death US Do Part. Booth also starred in the infamous series of “Confessions of…” British sex comedy movies of the 1970s. In recent years, perhaps Booth’s biggest claim to fame was being father to Cherie Blair, wife of British war criminal, Tony Blair. Booth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2004 and was making his debut on DeathList, jumping straight in at the fancied number 12 slot. Booth’s passing sees DeathList 2017 in a red hot streak of form and just one death away from equalling the all-time record of 14 successes in one year.
  1 appearance: 2017 (12)
  

  13th Death

  Age: 86, Actor, Cause of death: TBC

• 26th September 2017

  From Dawn to Dust

  

  Liz Dawn, Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth, has finally succumbed to emphysema to provide DeathList 2017 with its 12th success. Dawn first appeared in the UK TV soap opera, Coronation Street, in 1964 and began appearing regularly in 1976. She left the show after 32 years in 2008 when her health started to deteriorate. Dawn was making her debut on DeathList this year and was selected in 44th place.
  1 appearance: 2017 (44)
  

  12th Death

  Age: 78, Vera Duckworth, Cause of death: Emphysema

• 20th September 2017

  Clock runs out for LaMotta

  

  Legendary boxer, Jake LaMotta, has finally climbed through the ropes of the boxing ring in the sky to record the 11th death for DeathList 2017. LaMotta was a middleweight who gained a reputation for being one of the toughest ever boxers. He fought 106 times between 1941 and 1954 and had six fights with one of the greatest ever boxers, Sugar Ray Robinson. LaMotta only won one of those fights but was never put on the canvas, a fact from which he took great pride. After his boxing career, LaMotta became a stand-up comedian and actor. LaMotta’s fame was significantly enhanced with the release of the highly successful 1980 Robert De Niro movie about his life, Raging Bull. As a final record of his toughness, despite his hard life, LaMotta did not throw in the towel until he had reached the grand old age of 95. He appeared on DeathList 13 times, this year in 20th place.
  13 appearances: 2017 (20), 2016 (39), 2015 (35), 2014 (28), 2013 (37), 2012 (35), 2011 (15), 2010 (35), 2009 (32), 2008 (31), 2007 (38), 2006 (40), 2005 (34)
  

  11th Death

  Age: 96, Boxer, Cause of death: Pneumonia

• 20th August 2017

  Reign ends for King of Comedy

  

  Jerry Lewis, the legendary American comedian, has passed away to provide DeathList 2017 with yet another success. Lewis had a long and successful career starting in the mid-1940s when he teamed up with Dean Martin, appearing in many movies as a double act. In the mid1950s, Lewis set out on his own and continued to be successful. Probably his most famous movie was (the original version of) The Nutty Professor in 1963 which he wrote, directed and produced. After a break in his movie career, he returned and made The King of Comedy alongside Robert De Niro in 1982. Lewis also became famous for his annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association which started in the 1950s and ran until 2010, raising more than $2.6 billion. Lewis was making his sixth appearance on DeathList, this year at number 33. After a lifetime of raising money for good causes, Lewis’ final generous contribution has been that of the tenth death for the 2017 list.
  6 appearances: 2017 (33), 2014 (45), 2011 (19), 2010 (45), 2007 (46), 2005 (50)
  

  10th Death

  Age: 91, Comedian, Cause of death: Natural Causes

• 18th August 2017

  Didn't he do well!

  

  Legendary British TV entertainer, Bruce Forsyth, has put another point on the old DeathList scoreboard in passing away aged 89. Forsyth was the king of catchphrases, producing numerous lines from a string of successful British TV shows including The Generation Game, The Price is Right, Play Your Cards Right, You Bet and, finally, Strictly Come Dancing. Forsyth retired in 2015 after suffering a fall at his home. His health reportedly deteriorated in early 2017 when he suffered from chest infection and he was not seen in public subsequently up to his death. Forsyth was making his third appearance on DeathList, having been very prematurely first selected in 1995. This year Brucie was chosen at number 37. It seems a good bet that St. Peter will be greet him at the Pearly Gates with a shout of “Nice to see you, to see you nice!”.
  3 appearances: 2017 (37), 2016 (50), 1995 (48)
  

  9th Death

  Age: 89, Entertainer, Cause of death: Pneumonia

• 8th August 2017

  Tombstone Cowboy

  

  Country music legend, Glen Campbell, has succumbed to Alzheimer's disease to score another top 50 hit for DeathList 2017. Campbell’s career spanned more than 50 years, included more than 70 albums, more than 50 Top 40 country hits, 10 Grammys and four wives. Campbell started his career as a session musician in 1960 and made steady progress until an extended period of success in the late 1960s to mid-1970s. His most famous song, Rhinestone Cowboy was released in 1975 and became a international hit. Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2011 and was making his second appearance on DeathList this year, selected at number 43. He is the eighth success of the year.
  2 appearances: 2017 (43), 2016 (36)
  

  8th Death

  Age: 81, Country Singer, Cause of death: Alzheimer's disease

• 11th June 2017

  Christie Out For The Count

  

  British boxer, Errol Christie, has been stopped by the referee for the last time to give DeathList 2017 another quick win on its record. Christie had a very successful amateur career but, when he turned professional in 1983, he became a bit of a knockout specialist - in that he always seemed to get badly knocked out crucial points in his career. Despite being a very well-known boxer in the UK with his fights regularly televised, Christie never won a professional title. After his boxing career, Christie hit some hard times but got things more on track in recent years, until he was diagnosed, in 2015, with the lung cancer that would ultimately take his life. Christie was making his first appearance on DeathList, taking the number 49 position. He was 53 when he died. Rest in peace, Champ.
  1 appearance: 2017 (49)
  

  7th Death

  Age: 54, Boxer, Cause of death: Lung Cancer

• 5th June 2017

  Summer Wine Corked

  

  Peter Sallis, British actor of Wallace and Gromit and Last of the Summer Wine fame, has passed on at the ripe old age of 96 to provide DeathList 2017 with another success. Sallis worked in theatre and movies during the 1960s, but his major break came with the start of BBC TV sitcom, Last of the Summer Wine, in 1973 where he played Cleggy. The show went on to run until 2010. In 1990, the first Wallace and Gromit movie established Sallis as the voice of Wallace, a role for which he would become more famous. Sallis was making his fifth appearance on DeathList, rising to number 5 this year.
  5 appearances: 2017 (5), 2016 (15), 2015 (32), 2014 (30), 2013 (39)
  

  6th Death

  Age: 96, Last of the Summer Winer, Cause of death: Old age

• 29th May 2017

  Gone with Noakes

  

  John Noakes, Blue Peter TV show presenter, has passed away to provide DeathList 2017 with its fifth success. Noakes was the most famous presenter of the BBC Children’s show which started in 1958 and still runs today. Noakes presented the show from 1965 to 1978 and often took on dangerous stunts in the name or entertaining or educating children, such as going down the Cresta Run in a bobsleigh (although ejected from the sleigh in an accident halfway down) and climbing Nelson’s Column without safety equipment. He was also the main star when Lulu the baby elephant visited the Blue Peter studios, which urinated, defecated, pulled his minder all around the studio and then make Noakes squeal by standing on his foot all on live TV. Noakes’ canine companion on the show was Shep, an excitable border collie, who was the focus of his catchphrase, “Get Down, Shep”. Noakes also has a spin-off show Go with Noakes with ran from 1976 to 1980. Noakes had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years and was 83 when he died. He was making his second appearance on DeathList this years, selected at number 45 this year.
  2 appearances: 2017 (45), 2016 (49)
  

  5th Death

  Age: 83, Blue Peter Presenter, Cause of death: Alzheimer's disease

• 15th May 2017

  No Moors Mr Nice Guy

  

  It’s been said many times that the purpose of DeathList is not to wish for the demise of well known figures for the purpose of entertainment. Indeed, more often than not, it is sad to see the passing of a celebrity from the list that has made a positive contribution to the human race. None of this, however, applies to Ian Brady, the Moors Murderer, who may have just made his first positive contribution to society in finally passing at the age of 79. Between 1963 and 1965, Brady, along with partner Myra Hindley, sexually assaulted and slayed 5 children and disposed of the remains of some of their victims on Saddleworth Moor, near Manchester, England. Brady and Hindley were caught and convicted in 1966 and both would spend the rest of their lives in prison. Brady never showed any remorse for his crimes and, over many years, appeared to toy with police attempting to locate the remains of his victims. He had reportedly been on hunger strike (and at times force fed) since 1999 in a, possibly half-hearted, attempt to kill himself. Hindley died in 2002, which caused Brady to sulk that he was not allowed to die. At least the world is a slightly better place now that he has gone and DeathList 2017 has its fourth hit.
  6 appearances: 2017 (50), 2014 (50), 2013 (50), 2011 (38), 2004 (31), 2002 (21)
  

  4th Death

  Age: 79, All round Mr Nice Guy, Cause of death: Heart failure

• 20th March 2017

  Rockefeller has given his all

  

  Billionaire philanthropist, David Rockefeller, has made his last donation by contributing a hit for DeathList 2017. David Rockefeller was the grandson of the wealthiest American ever, John D. Rockefeller Sr, who made a vast fortune in the oil industry. Rockefeller had a long career at Chase Manhattan bank between the 1946 and 1981. In his later years, he become known as a generous philanthropist, giving away more than $2 billion during his lifetime. Despite this, his net worth was still estimated to be in excess of £3 billion. He was 101 years old when he died and was making his first appearance on DeathList, claiming 34th place.
  1 appearance: 2017 (34)
  

  3rd Death

  Age: 102, Billionaire, Cause of death: Congestive heart failure

• 6th February 2017

  Joost Over The Line

  

  South African Rugby icon, Joost Van der Westhuizen, has succumbed to motor neuron disease to provide DeathList 2017 with its second success. Van der Westhuizen got his first South African cap in 1993 and, in 1995, was a key part of the South African team that defeated the All Blacks in the final to win the Rugby World Cup. By the time of his retirement in 2003 he held the record for most capped player for South Africa with 111 appearances. After being diagnosed with the disease in 2011, Van der Westhuizen went on to chalk up four appearances on DeathList, although this year was only selected in 47th position.
  4 appearances: 2017 (47), 2016 (21), 2015 (28), 2014 (20)
  

  2nd Death

  Age: 46, Rugby player, Cause of death: Motor Neurone Disease

• 25th January 2017

  Mary Tyler No Moore

  

  Sitcom legend, Mary Tyler Moore, has passed away to provide DeathList 2017 with its inaugural success. Moore is most famous for her US Sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which ran for seven years in the early 1970s. The show was a huge success and produced several spin off shows including Rhoda and Lou Grant, both of which were also very successful and all of which were produced by the production company she set up with her husband. Prior to this, Moore had played Laura Petrie in another hit show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, for five seasons in the 1960s. In addition to her TV work, Moore also had some success in movies, most significantly in the 1980 movie, Ordinary People, for which she received an Oscar nomination. Moore had faced a number of health problems in recent times and was 80 years old when she died. She was making her second appearance on DeathList but only just snuck into 48th place on this year’s list.
  2 appearances: 2017 (48), 2016 (13)
  

  1st Death

  Age: 81, Actress, Cause of death: Pneumonia