Of storms, heartthrobs and Darby O'Gill

The latest "annoyingly named storm" currently swamping the extensive gardens here at Dolores Delargo Towers is called "Aiden".

The spelling may be different, but any excuse for some gratuitous pictures of the lovely Mr Turner...

Drooling aside, sad news has arrived today - the "archetypal James Bond" Sean Connery is dead.

• Read my tribute to him just this August, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Mr Connery was well-known for his "hard-man" roles, but in just about every part he played, there was always that slight twinkle in his eye that said he wasn't taking himself entirely seriously...

...which is probably just as well in this early role, in which he was called upon to sing!

Sean Connery - Pretty Irish Girl

RIP, Sir Thomas Sean Connery (25th August 1930 – 31st October 2020)

Totty of the Day

Mr Aidan Turner, currently winning the "battle of the britches" in his star turn in the remake of Poldark.

Just call me Demelza...

Pride of Wales

Very sad news of the death at just 63 of the adorable Angharad Rees, one of Britain's most loved actresses - in particular for her role as "Demelza" in Poldark.

The BBC adaptation of Winston Graham's bodice-ripping epic was absolutely massive in the mid 70s. I remember the whole family being glued to every episode. We never missed it!

Poldark - Ross and Demelza

In "real life" Angharad Rees was the pride of Wales - the "local girl done good" - and she and her husband for many years Christopher Cazenove (most famous worldwide for his part in Dynasty) were truly a "golden couple".

She had faded away from acting of late, devoting her time to her swanky jewellery business and her charitable work. She had apparently been ill for several years with pancreatic cancer. Such a sad loss...

RIP

Angharad Rees BBC obituary

Watch the documentary The Cult of Poldark