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 to 2007 by Siegfried Baboon and Rude Kid. From 2008 to 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: 29th January 2013

Knocked down Price

Former IRA prisoner Dolours Price has died aged 61. Price served 7 years at Her Majesty's pleasure in the 1970s after a bomb attack at the Old Bailey in 1973, along with her sister Marian when the republican campaign was ramped up. She was married to the actor Stephen Rea for 20 years. Aptly, the "troubles" based theme team Their Troubles Will (hopefully) Soon Be Over bag all the points, so they will...

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] + [Unique] = 11pts

Clausen's an early banker

There was a little wait for an obit for Alden W "Tom" Clausen, the former head of the World Bank. But ironically it was the Financial Times that saved the day. International theme team, er Death is International, grab the glory.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] + [Unique] = 9pts

Khanh he kick it? Yes he can...

Another obit which took its time and can only be described as a technical obit was for former South Vietnam leader Nguyen Khanh who died on 11th January aged 85. Khanh was military leader of the war-torn country in the mid 1960s. The whereabouts of his passing (San Jose, California) tells you all you need to know on whether this has approval from you know who! Anyhow, an obit arrived, but as you can see it isn't in English. But it is bbc.co.uk. So it's accepted. Congrats to Vietnam War theme team Lt. Colonel Kilgore's Ultimate Surf Party who take the spoils.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] + [Unique] = 9pts
Latest Stiffs: 23rd January 2013
[Picture of Michael Winner with Charles Bronson]

We'll Never Forget What's'isname

Maverick film director Michael Winner has become the first big hit of 2013. Winner's biggest success as a film director came in 1974 with the vigilante action movie 'Death Wish', starring Charles Bronson (that's the late actor not the bonkers long-term prisoner). Winner later became known as an outspoken restaurant critic and star of the Esure insurance commercials, which sparked a trend for deliberately annoying advertising campaigns. He was never shy of a quip or two and had a habit of putting his foot in it. But one thing's for sure, like him or loath him, the World has become a somewhat duller place without him. He was 77.
Winner is the first of the Drop Forty to call it a day in 13th place. Of the 93 teams to benefit, Octopus of Odstock continues his fine start with his third hit in three weeks and a 15 point lead. Those who reckon the race is already over just calm down, dears!

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (93 teams) = 7pts, [Joker] (14 teams) = 14pts

Toyo joins the Dead Poet's Society

Late blooming Japanese poet Toyo Shibata has reached the last stanza aged 101. Shibata found success at the ripe old age of 98 with her first collection, 'Don't Lose Heart', which sold over a million copies. The Independent steamed in with the obit. Theme team One Century Is Enough, Madam! take the points.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] + [Unique] = 7pts

Stan's passing is not unMusial

US Baseball legend Stan Musial had died. Musial played for the St. Louis Cardinals for over 20 years, the team winning the World series in 1942, 1944 and 1946. He was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2011.
"Stan the Man" was 92. Mr C continues his fine start to 2013 with his 2nd hit and his 65th in all.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (5 teams) = 5pts
Latest Stiffs: 18th January 2013

John Nkomotose

Zimbabwe's Vice-President John Nkomo has died afer a long battle with cancer. Nkomo was a founder member of Joshua Nkomo's ZAPU party, before their merger with Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party in the 1980s. He had served as Mugabe's second-in-command since 2009. He died aged 78. Among the teams picking up the points include the defending champion The Living End. But it's 2010 champion Octopus of Odstock who continues his good start with a 2nd hit for 2013.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (10 teams) = 7pts

Abby takes Death's advice

Agony aunt Abigail Van Buren has passed away. Born Pauline Friedman, Van Buren started her 'Dear Abby' advice column in 1956, and became known for her often blunt style of answer. Nonetheless, Van Buren's advice was lapped up by over 100m people at her peak. She passed the column down to her daughter in 2002 and her twin sister was also an advice columnist. Van Buren was 94. Mr C has yet another hit to keep him up among the best of all time and has had at least one hit in each of the 15 years in which he has competed,

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (7 teams) = 5pts

Bain's dead? What'chu talkin' about, Willis?

Canadian actor Conrad Bain had died aged 89. Bain was best known as Phillip Drummond in the pioneering multi-racial sitcom 'Diff'rent Strokes', which ran from 1978-1986. The series, which featured DDP miss
Gary Coleman was notorious for it's "special" episodes, dealing with the pressing issues of the day. God knows what the makers of the programme would have made this little activity! Curiously, like Van Buren, Bain also has a twin sibling. Just one of the many oddities that spring up in this business...

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (4 teams) = 6pts

Okubo Koto go

It seems nobody wants to be the oldest woman in the World. Just weeks after Dina Manfredini gave up the ghost, Japan's Koto Okubo has quickly followed suit aged 115. The Daily Express are the unlikely providers of a requisite obit. Well, it's either that from them or apocalyptic news about the cold weat-oh!

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] (11 teams) = 3pts, [Joker] (1 team) = 6pts
Latest Stiffs: 12th January 2013
[Picture of The Famous Five]

The famous unalive

Broadcaster Robert Kee has died. Kee was one of the "Famous Five" that started out on TV-am almost thirty years ago, alongside David Frost, Anna Ford, Michael Parkinson and Angela Rippon. But he was also a respected historian, most notably for his history of Ireland, 'The Green Flag', which was later made into an acclaimed tv series. Kee was also, er, key in the release of the wrongfully imprisoned "Guildford Four" in 1989. He was 93. Jesus Jones celebrates his 18th year as the only team to compete in every edition of the DDP with a joker hit.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points][Points] [Points] (2 teams) = 5pts, [Joker] (1 team) = 10pts

A Bridge too far for Evan

Novelist Evan S Connell, Jr has passed way. Connell was a respected author whose most famous work, 'Mr & Mrs Bridge' was later adapted into a film, starring Paul Newman. Connell was 88 and a unique hit for wrting theme team Write Your Own Obit, I’m Busy Breathing.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] + [Unique] = 9pts

That old Reg didn't pass his MOT...

Britain's oldest man, The Reverend Reginald Dean, has died aged 110. Dean lived through two world wars and 24 prime ministers, 3 wives and probably other multiple things. He served in Burma during WWII as a chaplain and attributed his long life to laziness. So there's hope for us all. Surprisingly only two teams picked him, that of the twin attack of Dead and Dusted 1 & 2.

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] (2 teams) = 3pts

Rearden loses out to Death in the game of pot black

Mamie Rearden, America's oldest woman, has died, barely a day after being added to the DDP for the first time. Rearden was 114. The Daily Mail were on the case, another reflection of their leaning towards the US for marketshare, which should aid some of the teams who have more Americocentric picks...

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] (7 teams) = 3pts, [Joker] (1 team) = 6pts

How much is that casket in the window?

Singer Patti Page has died. Page was most popular in the 1950s, with four number one hit singles, with Tennessee Waltz becoming the last million-selling sheet music. But it's the novelty record '(How Much Is That) Doggie In The Window' which she will be best remembered. When her waned in the 1960s, she became a more overtly Country-based performer, and will still singing into her 80s. Page was 85. 2013 has made an auspicious start with 2 hits on the opening day for the first time...

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (2 teams) = 6pts

CMJ's gone in the first over

Some people had barely got over their hangovers when news came through that BBC Test Match Special's Christopher Martin-Jenkins had died of cancer. CMJ joined TMS in 1973, his soft but authoratative tones nicely underscored the more excitable Brian Johnston and later, Jonathan Agnew. He succeded Johnston as the BBC's main cricket correspondent the same year. CMJ was later cricket correspondent for both the Telegraph and the Times and was even president of the MCC in 2010. He was 67. Only two teams chose him, with former host Octopus of Odstock keeping his ear to the ground and winning joker points as a result. The gauntlet has been thrown already...

[Scorecard] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] [Points] (2 teams) = 8pts [Joker] (1 team) = 16pts
List of the Lost - Latest Entrants

Gerard Helders, Jo Bryant

List of the Missed - Latest Entrants

James Buchanan, Nagisa Oshima, Jadwiga Kaczynska, Sean Fallon, Sally Starr, Bernard Horsfall

Player of the Month - December

One Bar Gas Fire And A Tin Of Dog Food - 17 points

Latest News

Dutch monarch Queen Beatrix announces her abdication. Forget it, Charles, she wont if that's what you're thinking... Actor Ashton Kutcher gets mixed reviews for his portrayal of Apple maestro and DDP 2011 graduate Steve Jobs. As Benjamin Netanyahu hangs on for another term as Israeli Prime Minister, former PM Ariel Sharon apparently shows signs of increased brain activity. Watch out Ben, he could make a comeback!
There is now an updated Stats & Facts page, updated to the end of last year.

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; None

Further Information
Derby Dead Pool is hosted by The Man In Black with contributions from Big-Iain, Rude Kid, Siegfried Baboon, Octopus of Odstock, WEP 2.0 - World's Eternity Prophet Reloaded and The Grey Horde

[DDP 2013]
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