Gay Byrne was known to friends as "Gaybo".
I was once chatting to him and others in a club near Granada TV in Manchester.
At one point, I asked him "Do you mind if I call you Gaybo?"
He replied, "Not at all."
Comedically inspired, I immediately turned my attention to the lady next to him.
"In that case . . ." I began.
Reading my mind, she gave me a look that would have stopped a charging rhino.
It was opera singer, Lesley Garrett. 
Quote: Rood Eye @ 5th November 2019, 12:37 PMGay Byrne was known to friends as "Gaybo".
I was once chatting to him and others in a club near Granada TV in Manchester.
At one point, I asked him "Do you mind if I call you Gaybo?"
He replied, "Not at all."
Comedically inspired, I immediately turned my attention to the lady next to him.
"In that case . . ." I began.
Reading my mind, she gave me a look that would have stopped a charging rhino.
It was opera singer, Lesley Garrett.
And?
Gary Rhodes, the spiky-haired TV chef has died at his home in Dubai.
I always thought of him as quite a young man but apparently he was 59.
The cause of death is not known but Jamie Oliver tweeted (and then quickly deleted) a message saying it was due to a fall.
I mentioned Gary Rhodes to my wife last night (I can't even remember under what context) which would be the first time i would have mentioned him in many years...
Can anyone else hear the theme from 'Tales of the unexpected' playing faintly in the distance?
Everybody seems to be dying today. Gary Rhodes, Jonathan Miller, Clive James...
Remember Clive James doing the tv clips show. Like rood I also thought of Gary Rhodes as a young man
Quote: Billy Bunter @ 27th November 2019, 4:25 PMEverybody seems to be dying today. Gary Rhodes, Jonathan Miller, Clive James...
Three such eminent entertainers dying independently on the same day? Dark times indeed.
That's what annoys me about death: it's always happening to the wrong people.
Oh, and welcome back Billy - safe and sound!
Quote: Rood Eye @ 27th November 2019, 4:51 PMThree such eminent entertainers dying independently on the same day? Dark times indeed.
That's what annoys me about death: it's always happening to the wrong people.
It seems to happen to quite a lot of people.
I was devastated to hear Clive died, I thought he was only on TV the other day, he looked so healthy. Of course my dyslexia had me thinking Clive Anderson rather than Clive James. But in truth I have huge respect for both Clives, each excellent at high brow comedy. I see Jeremy Kyle and Jeremy Clarkson are still alive (I check each day) there is no justice !
Quote: Firkin @ 27th November 2019, 6:18 PMmy dyslexia had me thinking Clive Anderson rather than Clive James.
I know the feeling, Firks.
When I saw Jonathan Miller had died, my immediate thought was "Well, at least he had Marilyn Monroe!"
Who can forget Margarita Pracatan?
Quote: Briosaid @ 27th November 2019, 8:29 PMWho can forget Margarita Pracatan?
Who can forget her?
Nobody who ever saw her perform, that's for sure!
I thought Clive James died a few years ago, but still sad. Great clip show, and his memoirs were excellent.
Really liked Clive James.
RIP
Quote: chipolata @ 27th November 2019, 9:18 PMI thought Clive James died a few years ago,
Not surprising. It seemed to me that the author felt he was living on borrowed time.