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Something a little different this week. As the year draws to a close, the Thursday quiz pauses to pay tribute to some of the notable pop culture, sporting and public figures we lost over the past 12 months, with the annual in memoriam edition. No prizes, except the chance to remember the joy they (mostly) gave us – via the medium of trying to recall obscure trivia about them. Let us know how you get on in the comments. Allons-y!
The Thursday news quiz, No 226 – annual in memoriam edition
- 1.Dave Ball (pictured with Marc Almond), responsible for some of the greatest electronic pop music of the early 1980s as half of Soft Cell, died in October. Who recorded the original version of the duo's huge hit Tainted Love?
- 2.Patricia Routledge was well known for her role as Hyacinth Bucket, but what was the name of the detective series she starred in?
- 3.We lost Michelle Trachtenberg far too young at only 39. What was the name of the character she played in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as Buffy's sister (both pictured)?
- 4.Henry Kelly passed away in February, having delighted people for years presenting which game show that shares its name with a Shed Seven hit?
- 5.Ace Frehley of KISS has played his last solo. Which character in the band was he during their heyday?
- 6.John Stapleton died at the age of 79. He used to present which consumer programme on the BBC?
- 7.Former world boxing champion and Manchester City fan Ricky Hatton died in September. When did he make his professional boxing debut?
- 8.Legendary cricket umpire Dickie Bird took a last metaphorical walk back to the pavilion in September. Where is this statue of him located?
- 9.Bobby Hart died this year. He was part of a songwriting team with Tommy Boyce, who wrote a string of hits for which band in the 1960s?
- 10.We lost Robert Redford (pictured, being menaced by a giant Oscar). Which of these did he help found?
- 11.Marianne Faithfull (pictured in 1979) died in January after an amazingly eventful life and career. What was her hugely successful debut single, which featured Mick Jagger and Keith Richards among the writing credits?
- 12.Tony Slattery passed away early in the year. What was the name of the improvised comedy show that helped make his name?
- 13.David Lynch died in January, a couple of years after frequent collaborator Julee Cruise also passed away. In his legendary Twin Peaks show, which location did her character regularly appear in as a singer?
- 14.Denis Law was one of Scotland's greatest footballers, but he only played in one match in a World Cup finals tournament (not pictured, that is against England at Hampden Park). Which of these was it?
- 15.Gene Hackman died in February. Which movie did he win his first Oscar for?
- 16.American astronaut Jim Lovell passed away aged 97. Which Apollo mission did he fly on, wearing this helmet?
- 17.John Woodvine, pictured here in Danger Man, died in October. He played Dr J S Hirsch in which horror movie?
- 18.Pope Francis died in April. Where was he born?
- 19.The football world was shocked by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother in a car accident in Spain in July. Which team did he join Liverpool from in 2020?
- 20.Frederick Forsyth was 86 when he died in June. When was Day of the Jackal published?
- 21.Musical genius Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys died over the summer. What was the band originally called before adopting the name under which they became famous?
- 22.Stella Rimington passed away in August. She was the first woman to head …
- 23.Ozzy Osbourne went to the great gig in the sky shortly after playing the final Black Sabbath show in which venue?
- 24.Terence Stamp, who died in August, got his image removed from the cover of which classic 1980s indie banger?
- 25.And finally, what did Tom Lehrer, who died in July, like poisoning in the park?
If you really do think there has been an egregious error in one of the questions or answers – and can show your working and are absolutely 100% positive you aren’t attempting to factcheck a joke – you can complain about it in the comments below. Why not watch Frightening Machines by Katherine Priddy instead?
Frightening Machines by Katherine Priddy
