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Something different this week. As the year draws to a close, the Thursday quiz always takes a pause to reflect on some of the notable pop culture, sporting and political figures we lost in the last 12 months, with our annual in memoriam edition. There are no prizes except the opportunity to remember all the joy these people gave us, via the medium of trying to recall obscure trivia related to them. Do let us know how you get on in the comments.
The Thursday quiz, No 188 – annual in memoriam edition
- 1.We lost the pioneering DJ Annie Nightingale, who was the first female presenter on BBC Radio 1, joining in 1970. Who was the second female presenter on BBC Radio 1, who joined more than a decade later?
- 2.Teri Garr, who died in October, once said: “I’ve spent a lot of time clawing my way to the middle.” What was the name of her character in Mel Brooks’s horror pastiche Young Frankenstein?
- 3.Janey Godley was incredibly funny and huge value on Twitter back when it wasn't a cesspit. Where did she stage her amazingly sweary one-woman protest against Donald Trump?
- 4.We lost the tremendous actor Donald Sutherland. Aside from his fantastic film career, which Kate Bush music video did he star in?
- 5.James Earl Jones died in September. His incredible pioneering theatre and film work was somewhat overshadowed by his role playing the voice of which famous sci-fi character?
- 6.About 20,000 bikers joined in a tribute for one of the TV chef duo Hairy Bikers. Which one?
- 7.We lost Karl Wallinger, who was part of the Waterboys and fronted World Party. Which song of his did Robbie Williams record and make a smash hit?
- 8.Ray Reardon was an absolute snooker legend, looked like Dracula and had an incredible life story before picking up the cue professionally. When did he first become the world snooker champion?
- 9.Maggie Smith was an absolute acting legend. She won an Oscar for best actress for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, but in which year did she win the best actress in a supporting role Oscar?
- 10.Geoff Capes was an absolute shot put legend. When did he win an Olympic gold medal?
- 11.Here is the Pokémon Quaxly on a day out in London. We sadly lost voice-acting star of the Pokémon anime series Rachael Lillis, who used to voice Misty and Jessie. Which team is antagonist Jessie part of?
- 12.We lost Damo Suzuki in February, who was the inspiration for the song I Am Damo Suzuki by the Fall. Which of these bands was Damo Suzuki singer for?
- 13.Johan Neeskens was one of the key members of the glorious Netherlands football team that came so close to winning men's World Cups. Which final did he score a penalty in?
- 14.The death of Liam Payne was one of the biggest shocks of the year. How many No 1 singles did One Direction have in the UK?
- 15.We lost Shelley Duvall. Everybody remembers the line "Here's Johnny" from The Shining, but what was the name of her character in the movie?
- 16.Paul Di'Anno, one of Iron Maiden's early singers, passed away in 2024. Which of these early Iron Maiden UK hit singles did he sing on?
- 17.The tabloids looked back rather more fondly on Sven-Göran Eriksson when he died this year than they generally did at the time he was England's men's football manager. Which team was he working for when he took the England job?
- 18.We lost Shannen Doherty. What was the name of her character in the original series of Beverly Hills, 90210
- 19.John Prescott died in November. He famously once thumped a member of the public during a general election campaign. Which election campaign?
- 20.And finally, Willow (pictured) wants to remind you that we lost Kevin (not pictured), the world's tallest dog, just days after he secured the world record and enjoyed his 15 minutes of fame. Where did Kevin live?
If you really do think there has been an egregious error in one of the questions or answers – and can show your working – you can complain about it in the comments below. Why not watch Karl Wallinger and World Party with Is It Like Today? instead …
Is It Like Today? by World Party
