News about Norman Wisdom

QUENTIN LETTS: The Lib Dems ' conference opened with the intellectual rigour that has established the party so firmly in the politico-philosophical firmament. Sir Edward Davey, party leader, invited the cameras to snap him playing beach volleyball. The ball boinged off his bald head and Sir Ed fell to the sand like Norman Wisdom in an Ealing comedy. His deputy Daisy Cooper - teeth like a Colgate racehorse - held a rival photo opportunity. She was playing crazy golf. They are not the first senior Liberals of recent history to have been drawn to balls. Quick-change artiste Sir Edward can switch costume as fast as he alters low-fat socialist policy positions.

A woman who is celebrating her 106th birthday has revealed the secret to her long life is that she's 'never chased men' - and never smokes or drinks alcohol. Mary Spiers, who turned 106 on 18 August, was born in Manchester in August 1918 and was still in her twenties as the Second World War raged across the globe. At the time, Mary had a boyfriend who served in the RAF who she met during the war, though the two never got the chance to marry as he tragically died shortly afterwards. After the grief stricken heartbreak, Mary didn't send up marrying anyone else and instead spent almost her life living with her two sisters, whose own boyfriends also died in the war.

Had yesterday's bottom-wriggler of a session come before polling day, his Lib Dems might have gone down with their pants on fire. During the election Sir Edward presented himself as a lachrymose japester, some days weeping about his family life - vote for me, sob, because I was an orphan - while on other days he posed as the new Norman Wisdom, splashing around at water parks and doing pratfalls.

QUENTIN LETTS: With the Mall bedecked in flags for a visit by Japan's head of state - the world's only emperor, at least until next week - campaigning slowed. Chief interest was on sartorial matters. Rishi Sunak , Lord Cameron and the Home Secretary James Cleverly sported tailcoats when they strode across Horse Guards Parade in the midday heat to join the official party awaiting his Imperial Majesty. Mr Sunak's spongebag trousers were just as short as all his others. It must be an aeration thing, to direct a cooling draught up the drainpipes. Mr Cleverly, an officer in the Royal Artillery reserve, kept his arms firmly at his side. This may have been military protocol or because he had gnawed off his fists during an LBC breakfast-time immigration debate with Labour's Yvette Cooper.

RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: The State Opening of Parliament this week was something terribly Ruritanian. Charles Carroll's beloved Lewis Carroll crown and Carmela in her comedic frock, embroidery with photos of her favorite dogs and grandchildren, as well as a doily from the top table at a Victorian wedding breakfast. In his Mail sketch the next day, Quentin Letts captured the full absurdity perfectly. Although the Windsors were gussied up as Henry VIII and The Queen of Tarts, the leaders of our two once-powerful political parties eased into the Upper House in civvies - with Dishy Rishi's half-mast Norman Wisdom designer whistle and 'Sir' Keir' fair showing his gelled Max Headroom quiff, which went out of style when Kajagoo went out of style when Kajagoo

Ron, a married couple who will reach his 75th birthday in May, is moving to Somerton, where he will live in a care home on the Isle of Wight to be close to his family. Romeo Ron, on the other hand, says he is no longer fit for love due to his failing health. The emotional and physical strain of divorces had taken their toll,' he explained.'

If Cabinet Secretary Simon Case be compelled to lay down on his WhatsApp sword, his insider recollections would have journalists clamouring at his door. His memories from July 2018, when he unexpectedly appointed Prince William's personal secretary following the Harry and Meghan wedding, will be of particular concern. As the Sussexes fell out of love with the rest of the royals, he had a ringside seat. When bullying charges against Meghan were levelled by and against him, he was also front of house.