The Derby Dead Pool

The online competition to guess which famous people won't make it to the end of the current year. If they're elderly, ill, or just live a high-risk lifestyle, stick 'em in your team, and for each one whose death you correctly predict, you'll score points. DDP was dreamt up in Derby, England (hence the name...) by Big Iain back in 1996, then was run from 2003-2007 by Siegfried Baboon and Rude Kid. From 2008-2009, it was run by Octopus of Odstock, but from 2010 onwards it's the turn of The Man in Black to run the DDP.

Latest Stiffs: 11th May 2012

Redman, dead woman...

A 1960s feel to the latest batch of hits. First up is British actress Joyce Redman, who has died aged 96. Redman was twice nominated for the best supporting actress Oscar, in 1963 for "Tom Jones" and 1965 for "Othello" opposite Lawrence Olivier. This obit confirms that a trio of teams win 5 points.

Gone too Sassoon

Famous and influential hair stylist Vidal Sassoon wont be needing anything for the weekend anymore. Sassoon opened his first salon in 1954 but it was in the sixties that he came to fame and fortune with his modernist and geometric styles making him one the leading creatives of the time. Sassoon used much of his wealth promoting anti-semitism. Sasoon died aged 84. 18 teams each get 6 points.

Sendak goes where the old things are

Children's author and illustrator Maurice Sendak has died. Sendak is best known for his 1963 book "Where the Wild Things Are" which was later adapted for film and a clear influence on Julia Donaldson's modern classic "The Gruffalo". Sendak was 83 and a hit for 2 teams, Life Zucks! and Lights Out! They each get 6 points.

A life cut Short

Former Labour cabinet minister Edward Watson Short has died aged 99. Ted Short, later Lord Glenamara was very much the party loyalist and although not one of the better known members of the Wilson government, he nevertheless made his mark in government in the 1960s, closing down the pirate radio stations, introducing funding for opposition parties within Westminster (so-called "Short money") and the expansion of the comprehensive school system. So an obit was a formality. Nine teams each get 5 points.

Latest Stiffs: 11th May 2012

Licensed too ill

Rapper Adam Yauch, better known as MCA from the Beastie Boys has died of cancer. The Beastie Boys started out as a punk band but soon latched on to the growing sound of hip-hop. In 1986, they hit fame with the album 'Licensed To Ill', sparking controversy with their brattish behaviour which as always with the passing of time seems rather quaint these days. Other highlights of his career was the Beastie Boys 1989 follow up 'Paul's Boutique', the 1994 single 'Sabotage', with the 1970s cop show parody video and 1998 hit single 'Intergalactic'. It was Yauch who directed most of the boys videos. He was also heavily involved in the Free Tibet movement.
He died aged just 47. Misers lands a unique hit and 13 points moving him up to 3rd place. Kick it!

Another one to add to the Pyle

Actor George Lindsey has died aged 83. Lindsey was best known stateside for the role of Goober Pyle in the 'Andy Griffith Show' and it's spin-off 'Hee-Haw' from 1968-1993. With it's eye firmly on the American online market, The Daily Mail were quick with the obit. Theme team S*M*A*S*H*E*D, devoted ot the famous film and sitcom spin-off M*A*S*H of which Lindsey guest-starred pick up 9 points for a unique hit.

Zion dyin' tryin'

Historian Benzion Netanyahu has died aged 102. Netanyahu was a staunch Zionist and a clear influence on the politics of his son, current Isrraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. So make of that what you will. Parental theme team Mummy and Deady pick up 7 points.

List of the Lost - Latest Entrants

Rich Buhler

List of the Missed - Latest Entrants

Carl Johan Bernadotte of Wisborg

Player of the Month - April

Blacksox - 14 points

Latest News

Disgraced ex-MP Margaret Moran is deemed "unfit" to stand trial for fraud. Hollywood actor Ryan O'Neal denies that he is seriously ill. Stories of the treatment of former Ukrainian PM Yulia Tymoshenko whilst in prison, could lead to a boycott of teams at the Euro 2012 football championships. Which could be good news for new England manager Roy Hodgson With former FIFA president João Havelange still in a delicate condition, the news that England may somehow win a major tournament may well finish him off....and a few Scotsmen too!

Message to all current competitors: If you haven't been receiving the notification mails that we send out whenever a celeb carks it, please check that we have your current email address (re-send it to us if unsure), your inbox is not full, and our address is not blocked by your mail system. The following teams are currently uncontactable; Jesus Jones, Juicy Janny, Mad Maureen. Getting spammed by Lived So Let's Die, Shorter Of Breath, One Day Closer To Death and SeasideEssexXile...

Further Information

Rules & Scoring

E-mail The Man In Black with any questions/comments about the DDP: ddp2012@derbydeadpool.co.uk

Links