h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Former Plaid Cymru leader and Senedd Presiding Officer Lord Elis-Thomas has died at the age of 78, his family has announced.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas led Plaid between 1984 and 1991 and served as MP for Meirionydd and then Meirionydd Nant Conwy between 1974 and 1992, when he was appointed to the House of Lords.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly5p2453z3o

Tony Roberts, a versatile, Tony Award-nominated theatre performer at home in both plays and musicals and who appeared in several Woody Allen movies - often as Allen's best friend - has died. He was 85. Roberts' death was announced to the New York Times by his daughter, Nicole Burley

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/08/tony-roberts-versatile-actor-and-longtime-woody-allen-sidekick-dies-aged-85

Sam Nujoma, first president of Namibia, dies aged 95.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx859nq9jwo

Nigel McCrery, 71. Screenwriter, producer and writer. (Silent Witness and New Tricks). Prolific author even though he was dyslexic.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwypj7pp94wo



We are currently binge-watching New Tricks, up to series 6. I'll be sorry when it ends.

Irish jockey Michael O'Sullivan has died after a fall at Thurles, Republic of Ireland, earlier this month.

The 24-year-old had been in an induced coma in intensive care at Cork University Hospital since the incident during racing on 6 February.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/articles/cg5yr9e42jro

Julian Holloway, who starred in eight Carry On films and was a regular in TV shows such as The Sweeney and Doctor Who, has died. He was 80.

In a statement to the Guardian, agents for the actor confirmed that Holloway died after a brief illness in a Bournemouth hospital on 16 February.

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/feb/18/julian-holloway-carry-on-star-and-father-of-sophie-dahl-dies-aged-80

Rick Buckler, former drummer in The Jam, has died at the age of 69, his ex-bandmates have confirmed on social media.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99n0p2x94vo

Jerry Butler, singer and politician, born 8 December 1939; died 20 February 2025

Butler, who has died aged 85, had hits across three decades, with records that spanned the evolution of African-American popular music, from the gospel-influenced doo-wop of For Your Precious Love, aimed at the teenagers of the 1950s, through the suave balladry of Moon River and Make It Easy on Yourself in the 60s, to the sophisticated boudoir soul of I Want to Do It to You in the 70s.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/23/jerry-butler-obituary

Roberta Flack, soul and R&B icon behind Killing Me Softly, dies aged 88.
Much-loved singer known for Killing Me Softly With His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson, had suffered a stroke in 2016

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/24/roberta-flack-soul-and-rb-icon-behind-killing-me-softly-dies-aged-88

Michelle Trachtenberg aged just 39, best known as Buffy's little sister "the Key"

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/michelle-trachtenberg-dead-ice-princess-and-gossip-girl-actress-was-39/ar-AA1zQH6I?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Henry Kelly star of Game For A Laugh and Going For Gold

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn04y7dg68ko

Quizzer Chris Hughes, star of the popular BBC and Channel 5 series Eggheads, has died aged 77, a statement on the programme's social media accounts has said.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2009jgj58o

Boris Spassky

http://www.fide.com/boris-spassky-1937-2025/

Picked three times by Pink Paisley, between 2018 and 2020.


To round up the earlier deaths:

Chris Hughes, quiz champion was never picked in this game.

Henry Kelly, TV presenter was never picked in this game.

Roberta Flack, singer was never picked in this game.

David Johansen, the swaggering, peacocking frontman with glam rock band New York Dolls, has died aged 75.

Last month he had announced he was living with cancer, and recently suffered a broken back. "David Johansen passed away peacefully at home, holding the hands of his wife Mara Hennessey and daughter Leah, in the sunlight surrounded by music and flowers,"

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/01/david-johansen-frontman-of-new-york-dolls-dies-aged-75

Singer Angie Stone, known for her hit Wish I Didn't Miss You, has died at the age of 63.

A representative for the singer confirmed to Variety that Stone was killed in a car crash in Montgomery, Alabama. She had reportedly been on her way home from a show and was the only person who died in the crash.

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/01/soul-singer-angie-stone-dies-in-a-car-crash-at-63

Singing Butler painter Jack Vettriano dies aged 73

Vettriano, who was born Jack Hoggan on 17 November 1951 in Methil, Fife, was a self-taught artist.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y02wxgrzlo

James Harrison died in his sleep at a nursing home in New South Wales, Australia on 17 February, his family said on Monday. He was 88.

Known in Australia as the man with the golden arm, Harrison's blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which is used to make medication given to pregnant mothers whose blood is at risk of attacking their unborn babies.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y4xqe60gyo

Thank you James Harrison

Carl Dean, age 82.

He was the husband of Dolly Parton for 58 years.

Sincere condolences to Dolly, whom I think is one of the world's heroes.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c241vp9yv1mo