Rabbi Lionel Blue, regular contributor to Radio 4’s Thought for the Day,sandwiched in the Today programme, always aims to leave the audience laughing. He says “work is my great therapy if I feel low or troubled and can’t sleep first I try counting odd socks rather than sheep and if that doesn’t do the trick I start working.” He’s in remission for Merkel cell cancer “they fished it out and were rather pleased with me because they don’t see many of these sort of cancers.” He has just started work on another book, a guide for Godseekers of all religions.He uses lots of anecdotes about everyday things. He lectures at the Leo Beck College as he has done for 41 years, and at Durham University. Nothing special is planned for his birthday, “Jim and I will have a supper of half priced smoked salmon and we’ll wolf the lot.” Rabbi Lionel Blue is 78 today. RGT
Lord Fearn, Liberal Democrat spokesman on transport, housing and tourism, 1990-92, 77; Professor Roger Greenhalgh, vascular surgeon, 67; Major-General Nigel Gribbon, Assistant Chief of Staff, SHAPE, 1972-74, 91; Sir Thomas Harris, Consul-General, New York, 1999-2004, 63; Gayle Hunnicutt (Lady Jenkins), actress, 65; Patrick MacNee, actor, 86; Denis Norden, scriptwriter and broadcaster, 86; Mark Sheldon, president, The Law Society, 1992-93, 77; Jimmy Tarbuck, comedian, 68; Keith Waterhouse, writer, 79; Kevin Whately, actor, 57.