Bill Cosby, the hugely successful American comedian, continues to divide the black population of America with his calls for his fellow blacks to take personal responsibility for their actions and stop blaming everyone else. He asks: “How can a city like Detroit that is 87 per cent black keep blaming white folk for its problems?” A university professor from Pennsylvania, writing in The Washington Post, spoke for many Cosby critics: “The plane of black progress lifts on the wings of social responsibility and social justice. Cosby is trying to fly the plane with one wing. With such a philosophy it is bound to crash.” Cosby is undaunted by criticism and will be in Detroit next week preaching his message. His TV comedy show sparkled in the US ratings for eight years until 1992, shattering many comfortable stereotypes by concentrating on a well-to-do black family tackling middle-class problems. He says about growing old: “I don’t worry about senility because when it hits you, you won’t know it.” Bill Cosby is 70 today. RGT
A.G. Bamford, principal, Homerton College, Cambridge, 1985-91, 77; John Bullock, joint senior partner and deputy chairman, Coopers & Lybrand, 1989-92, 74; Sir Alastair Burnet, broadcaster, 79; Sir Peter Carr, chairman, Occupational Pensions Board, 1994-97, 77; Lord Cuckney, chairman of Westland, 1985-89, 82; Dr Jean Curtis-Raleigh, psychiatrist, 74; Gareth Edwards, former rugby player, 60; Anna Friel, actress, 31; Dame Mary Glen Haig, president, Disability Sport England, 1981-90, 89; John Lahr, writer, 66; M.G. Matthews, director, Royal College of Music, 1985-93, 76; Lord Quirk, president, British Academy, 1985-89, 87; Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale, international affairs consultant, 71; Ramniklal Solanki, editor, Garavi Gujarat newsweekly and Asian Trader, 76.