2nd May

33 years ago today marks the anniversary of the sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano during the Falklands War conflict. 

Sunk by the Royal Navy submarine Conqueror, it incurred the loss of 323 lives – more than half of the total number of Argentine fatalities in the war.

She is the only ship ever to have been sunk in military operations by a nuclear-powered submarine and the events remain highly controversial in both Argentina and the UK to this day.

3 UK birthdays today, all in their 60s, include:

David Suchet

British actor David Suchet, best known for his TV portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Poirot (69)

English gardener, author and TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh (66)

Former Generation Game hostess and Scottish actress and singer, Isla St Clair (63)

It's time Sir Bruce Forsyth Called it a Day

Hopefully I will never be accused of beating around the bush and not saying what I think. 

This posting is going to upset a lot of people, but sadly it has to be said - at age 83, the veteran host of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, Sir Bruce Forsyth, should call it a day and retire.

 Brucie (Wikipedia)

I agree that Brucie is a living legend and has long been a favourite in British households, but let's be honest here - he's just not funny anymore and if anything, watching him on a Saturday evening has become something of an embarrassment. It is noticeable that he doesn't get to front the Sunday evening results show, although last evening he popped up with a totally cringeworthy song and dance routine.

How would he be replaced I hear you ask? If you remember, when he fronted the Generation Game for the BBC back in the late 70's, he decided to jump ship and join ITV for his ill-fated Big Night show (can't imagine there's any danger of him being poached by ITV again somehow). He was replaced by camp comedian Larry Grayson who, against all the odds, took the show to a higher level and not only achieved higher viewing figures, but in truth did a far better job. Forsyth's new ITV show was cancelled after one run.

A suggestion for his replacement could be SCD dancer Anton du Beke, who has made a creditable job of fronting the Hole in the Wall show for the BBC, also on Saturday evening (when SCD is off-season) or even a return to regular TV of Sir Terry Wogan. 

du Beke and regular dance partner Erin Boag.

But as for Sir Brucie, now he has been awarded his long deserved knighthood, it's time the BBC and the British nation said a big thank you and allowed him to retire gracefully.

The Wonderful Larry Grayson

I recently wrote an article outlining the life an career of British comedian/gameshow host Larry Grayson. Link below:-

British Comedy Giants: Larry Grayson

Larry is best remembered for the period in the 1970's where he came (back) to fame and was the 2nd host of BBC TV's "The Generation Game". Replacing Bruce Forsyth, who went on to a short lived variety show on ITV, Larry took the show to new heights with his hapless, hopeless style of presenting.

Larry was a marvellous comedian. The master of camp and inuendo, he could make an audience howl with laughter just by raising his eyebrows or making a quick quip.

It is truly impossible to do a career justice with either a short 900 word article or a 10 minute video as posted below.

The video gives an insight into how he was plucked back to stardom with the help of legendary drag artist, Danny La Rue and goes on to explain how he was hounded by the press, desperate to know his sexuality. In this age it wouldn't have been an issue, but back then things were grossly different.

Larry, who learned his trade in the harsh UK working mens club circuit, truly was a comedy genius and watching the footage both brings back memories and still makes me laugh.

Larry Grayson 1923 - 1995