EDITOR'S PERSPECTIVE: "You're like the Grim Reaper”

I can’t stop it. Googling the names of people I see on TV or remember from the past.

"They died years ago, didn’t they?”

“No, they were on something the other day.”

"Hold on, I’ll have a look… Yes, died June 19 2014. Told you.”

It doesn’t happen when you’re young. You don’t really consider death until someone you know passes on (Well, I suppose I did, but that’s a different story).

Then suddenly you’re not looking at who is 18 or 21, has passed their driving test, got married, had a baby, turned 40. People start to crop up on social media when they have died.

Some you used to br close friends with, others you only vaguely remember. or maybe didn’t like at all. “He died a couple of years back.”

"Ah, that’s a shame. Never liked him, but you don’t wish that on anyone do you?”

"No, but he was a prick.”

It extends to famous people – I won’t call them celebrities – and it’s all because of the internet. Most of Wikipedia’s hits must come from people looking up whether or not someone has taken their last breath.

Top of the Pop 2, usually after a few drinks because there’s nothing much else on TV and you want to stay up a bit longer (by you, I mean me), is prime for this. On comes Boney M or someone. “I think he died recently the singer. Hold on…. no it was the dancing monk and it was 14 years ago. Could have sworn it was only the other week. Died on the same day as Rasputin, he did. THat’s a coincidence. eh?”

Three weeks later…. same episode, same scenario… “no it was the dancing monk...”

On comes some star of the 60s. “He’s got to be a gonna? Just a minute…. er… no, he’s 93 and still performing. In a wheelchair.”

Films are another one. I don’t recognise many actors and am often surprised when one turns out to be incredible famous. “Died he has! I didn’t know that. 1973!”

I was in the pub recently with a chap from Portsmouth and we were discussing footballers. “Rodney Marsh… hold on… brilliant, he’s still alive, 79. He’ll be 80 on October 11…. Frank Worthington… oooh no, went in 2021. Stan Bowles, wow, he only died in February. I’d forgotten about that.”

"You’re like the Grim Reaper, you are,” the chap said.

"Yes, I thought it was fancy dress. Why else would I be sitting in a pub dressed as a skeleton, wearing a robe and wielding a scythe?”

I wasn’t, obviously, and anyway I’m not sure the Grim Reaper caused someone’s death by looking them up on Wikipedia, especially has some of them have actually died.

Maybe, he/she does that now though. Got lazy. After all, it would be far easier just to Google someone whose time you thought should be up and send them shuffling off. Way better than having to get a bus or jet off to find them. They might be out.

It’s what the rest of us do. We find this by staying in. That’s why the shops have closed down and there are no books, CDs or newspapers. All the things I like and Google on a far too regular basis.

Yes, maybe I am the Grim Reaper.