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: 31st July 2012

Deadie Yeats

Prolific character actor Geoffrey Hughes has died after a long battle with prostate cancer. Hughes became famous in the 1970s as binman Eddie Yeats, who lodged with the legendary Stan and Hilda Ogden in 'Coronation Street', known for infectious chuckle. He later featured in the 90s sitcom 'Keeping up Appearances' as Hyacinth Bucket's slobbish brother-in-law, Onslow. Hughes also appeared in 'Doctor Who', 'Heartbeat' and 'The Royle Family' as the ironically named Twiggy. Hughes was 68 and a very popular pick, 66 teams in all, putting him in 17th position in the Drop Forty. All bar 3 get 8 points. Warning - Dying Can Be Hazardous To Your Health, Girlfriend in a Coma and Jill Dando's Cat get 16 joker points.

To each his own in the morgue

Popular singer and actor Tony Martin has passed way. Martin was a contemporary of the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and combined a singing career with Hollywood movies. Martin enjoyed a 60-year marriage with dancer Cyd Charisse, who pre-deceased him. Martin was 98 and a hit for 15 teams, all scoring 5 points.

Latest Stiffs: 20th July 2012

Iron Man turns to rust

Former Wales rugby union international Jack Matthews, has passed away. Dr Matthews was a tough tackling centre who formed a famous partnership with Bleddyn Williams. During the Second World War, he reputedly fought an amateur boxing match with the legendary heavyweight Rocky Marciano. Dr Matthews was 92 and was a unique hit for rugby theme team Try And Die, who get an impressive 3rd hit and 8 points.

Asher to ashes

TV producer and director William Asher has died aged 90. Asher was best known for directing hit TV sitcoms 'I Love Lucy' starring Lucille Ball and 'Bewitched' which starred his then wife Elizabeth Montgomery. Asher also devised the "Beach Party" movies of the 1960s which featured perennial DDP favourite Annette Funicello.
This Guardian obit guarantees 5 points two teams, Life Zucks! and Lights Out!

Wells runs dry

Kitty Wells, the original "Queen of country music" has died. Born Ellen Muriel Deason, Wells had her first #1 hit in 1952 with 'It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels' and was consistently voted the best female country singer in the World until she was usurped by Tammy Wynette. She died aged 92. Three teams each win 5 points...

Latest Stiffs: 16th July 2012

Lord turns a deep shade of purple

A potentially decisive death comes in the form of Jon Lord, founder member and keybordist for legendary 1970s rockers Deep Purple. Lord co-wrote the rock anthem 'Smoke On The Water' and his classical stylings, for better or worse, proved hugely influential in the development of progressive rock. Lord died after a battle with pancreatic cancer aged 71. He was a hit for 5 teams including (yes, you've guessed) The Living End, who get their tenth hit of the year, 7 points and stretch their lead to 17 points. 'arry-Kiri move up to second. Theme team Last Trip To The John pick up 14 points for the joker. He'll be lording it up...

The Celestial Holmcare Omnibus

Oscar-winning actress Celeste Holm becomes the third 95 year old to win points in a week. Holm achieved fame in the 1940s, picking up a best supporting actress gong for 'Gentlemen's Agreement' in 1947, following up with a prominent role in 'All About Eve' (1950). However, the New Yorker preferred the stage, occasionally popping up on TV in 'Falcon Crest' and the like. Holm was a hit for 8 teams, all getting 5 points.

Knock down Sales this summer

Former archbishop Eugenio de Araujo Sales has passed away. Sales was archbishop of Rio de Janeiro from 1971 to 2001. Sales became Brazil's most promiment catholic voice in the wake of the end of military rule in 1985 and any stroll down Copacabana beach will tell you he would have had his work cut out. Sales was 91 and a unique hit for The Cardinals who get 8 points, 5 bloody Marys and 10 how's your fathers!

Vanish Yamada

Veteran Japanese actress, Isuzu Yamada has died. Yamada was a key actress in the films of leading director Kenji Mizoguchi, later also starring in the films of the legendary Akira Kurosawa. Yamada was 95 and a hit for two teams, Bxboy422 and You're Not Acting Like Yourself Today -- Are You Dead?. Five points for the two teams.

Marty felled man

Pugnacious Hollywood actor, Ernest Borgnine has died aged 95. Borgnine, who attributed his long life to the pleasures of the palm, was best known for acting as the tough guy in a number of films such as 'The Dirty Dozen' and 'The Wild Bunch'. But it was his sensitive portrayal of the eponymous unlucky-in-love 'Marty', which won Borgnine the Oscar for best actor in 1955. Borgnine was a popular pick with 53 teams scoring. Soylent Green gain 10 points for a joker, the rest get 5...

Latest Stiffs: 8th July 2012

Eric's rhubarb crumble

Comedian and writer Eric Sykes has died. Sykes was one of the last of his generation of post-war comics, working alongside the likes of Spike Milligan, Tommy Cooper and Jimmy Edwards. He formed a memorable on-screen partnership with Hattie Jacques in his own TV show, 'Sykes and A...', later simply 'Sykes'. He later enjoyed a late career revival, with parts in 'The Others' with Nicole Kidman and as part of the Harry Potter franchise. But he is perhaps best remembered for his (largely) silent films (when such things were unfashionable) 'The Plank', with Cooper and 'Rhubarb', in which the dialogue consisted of just that word.
Sykes was 89 and a very popular pick, 44 teams (joint 34th in the Drop Forty) all getting 6 points.

A quick thank you to team Wep 2.0 - World's Eternity Prophet Reloaded for helping me find the pictures of the obscure celebs. I salute you...

Latest Stiffs: 3rd July 2012

Case closed for Matlock

Popular US actor Andy Griffith has died. Griffith starred in his titular series in the 1960s, playing a small town sheriff. The series featured a young Ron Howard as his fictional son. Griffith later starred in the 1980s legal drama 'Matlock' as a southern lawyer. Griffiths was 86 and was a hit for 7 teams who each get 6 points.
We're now half way through with The Living End still with a comfortable lead and well on course for his third DDP title. Meanwhile the hit count is 93 so the record could be broken once more by the year's end...

Shamir the way to the crematorium

Former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir has died. Shamir was PM from 1983-84 and again from 1986-92 and had an uncompromising stance towards Palestine. Shamir was a member of the Israeli secret agency Mossad so that was no surprise. Despite this, he did become the first Israeli PM to enter formal talks with the Palestinians. Shamir was 96 and a hit for 45 teams, placing him in 33rd position in the Drop Forty. All get 5 points, including Composition of Death who move into 3rd place.

The Strange death of James Grout

Character actor James Grout has died aged 84. Grout appeared in many TV shows over the years but he his best known as Chief Superintendent Strange in 'Inspector Morse'. This obit from the Guardian gives Obituarynotice 9 points for a unique hit.

List of the Lost - Latest Entrants

Jacqueline Piatigorsky

List of the Missed - Latest Entrants

Walter Haefner, David House, Alistair Burnet, Jack Taylor, R. G. Armstrong

Player of the Month - June

Clathrate Gun - 16 points

Latest News

It's the Olympics in London, so how are the DDP Picks' getting on? Organiser Lord Coe juggles the problem of corporate eejits failing to turn up. Ailing boxing legend Muhammad Ali touches the Olympic flag for what could be his last appearance at the games. Arguably the current holder of the title "World's Greatest Sportsman", Usain Bolt, gears up to defend his 100m & 200m titles. Captain Mark Phillips will be proud as his daughter Zara wins team silver for GB in Three-day Eventing (that's arsing about with horses, folks!). And will Kriss Akabusi's British 400m hurdles record fall to Dai Greene? No doubt he'll have a laugh about it either way...

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.

Further Information

Who's dead so far | Celebrity picks | Team selections | DDP main page | DDP Archive