Newspaper obituaries

Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, director and actor, died on 24 December 2008 aged 78.

Oliver Postgate
Oliver Postgate, writer and creator of much-loved children’s TV programmes including Bagpuss, died on 8 December 2008 aged 83.

Jack Scott
Jack Scott, weatherman for BBC TV (1969-83) and for Thames Television (1983-88), died on 11 November 2008 aged 85.

Sir John Hermon
Sir John (“Jack”) Hermon, former Chief Constable of the RUC, died on 6 November 2008 aged 79

Ian McColl
Ian McColl, football player and manager of the Scottish national team, died on 24 October 2008 aged 81.

Rick Wright
Rick Wright, keyboard player, songwriter and founder member of Pink Floyd, died on 15 September 2008 aged 65.

John Esmonde
John Esmonde, radio and television sitcom writer in partnership with Bob Larbey, died on 10 August 2008 aged 71.

Baron Russell-Johnston
Russell Johnston, Liberal Democrat MP and Scottish and European politician, died on 27 July 2008 aged 75.

Frank Blackmore
Frank Blackmore, inventor of the mini-roundabout, died on 5 June 2008 aged 92.

Beryl Cook
Beryl Cook, hugely popular self-taught artist, died on 28 May 2008 aged 81.

Humphrey Lyttelton
Humphrey Lyttelton, jazz trumpeter, bandleader, broadcaster and journalist, died on 25 April 2008 aged 86.

Mark Speight
Mark Speight, presenter of children’s television including art programme SMArt, was found dead on 13 April 2008 aged 42.

Anthony Minghella
Anthony Minghella, television and film director and screenwriter, died on 18 March 2008 aged 54.

Sir Arthur C Clarke
Sir Arthur C Clarke, science visionary and author of science fiction including 2001: A Space Odyssey, died on 19 March 2008 aged 90.

Jeremy Beadle
Jeremy Beadle, TV prankster and presenter of light entertainment shows, died on 30 January 2008 aged 59.