Every so often I do a DOND revisit, watch some games on YouTube (mostly from the early days obviously) and remember how fun some of the games were.

It is easy to forget some times that the show commenced over 15 years ago, and that someone who was only 20 for example in the early days is nudging 40 now!!!

In addition, some of the players inevitably will have passed away by now, and I wondered if those that still occasionally peruse the forum had heard of any news regarding former players.

Those I am aware of are, with show numbers;
Beryl (99); Rich (176); Joseph (251); Sheran (410); Deano (771); Pauline (853); Mary (926); Joe (1001); Marshall (1427).

Wrighty *nearly* passed away due to a heart attack several years ago, but thankfully he survived and recovered from it. It was brought up when he was on one and six zeroes earlier this year.

Elaine H from December 05 and Laura from July 2010 sadly aren't with us anymore. Elaine passed away in 2007 (Andy K posted on here to announce the news) and Laura was in her early 30s and fighting cancer at the time, but sadly passed away 2 years later in October 2012

The most well-known example of this was Frank who did 4 shows in March 2010 and almost instantly became a big character. Then on his 5th show, Frank was absent due to illness, and at the end of the show, Noel announced that after Frank left because of his health, he sadly passed away not long after.

I remember a few months later, there was an old man on the wings named Mike who disappeared halfway through his first show due to poor health and never returned - i sometimes wonder if something awful happened to people like him as well (along with Audrey and Clive from the early days of the show, who disappeared after a handful of shows on the wings and were nowhere to be seen after that, and also Mandy who did a handful of shows in 2015 before leaving and not returning)

Paul (6th March 2011), Joycey (7th October 2011) and Donna (18th March 2012) are some more.

I hate to be morbid but there's surely more oldies passed on now we're getting on for 17 years since the show's debut, I mean I've just watched Norman's game from August 2007 on YouTube and he was 75 then, so if he's still alive he'd be 90 now. Though of course the likes of Sheran, Laura, Rich and Donna are far worse as none were very old when on the show.

Giorgio from July 2006 (last show before the summer break) died in 2019, his notice is online (written by his partner who was in the audience for his game)

June was the then-oldest contestant in May 2006 at age 82 (a sprightly age compared to the record breakers that came later). Passed away in 2013.

I can't imagine a character like Pat M not being around though, and nothing is showing up online. Hopefully she's out there and soon to be accepting a telegram from The Queen Charles.