News about Rick Wakeman

The daughter (left) of The Body Shop founder Dame Anita Roddick (right) has revealed the infected blood scandal 'robbed' her of time with her mother. Sam Roddick, 52, who founded lingerie company Coco de Mer, spoke of her heartache at losing precious time with her mother, who died of a brain haemorrhage linked to hepatitis C aged 64, in 2007. Tens of thousands of people in the UK were infected with deadly viruses - including HIV , Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B - after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Most of the infections stem from a blood product called Factor VIII that was imported from the US because the NHS was low on supplies. Factor VIII was often taken from high-risk groups including drug addicts, prostitutes and prisoners who had donated their blood for cash. If just one donor was carrying a virus, a whole batch would be contaminated. Dame Anita received blood that was contaminated with hepatitis C when she needed a transfusion to deal with a potentially fatal haemorrhage after giving birth to Sam in 1971.

More than 3,000 patients died and many continue to suffer after tens of thousands of vulnerable patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis from contaminated blood products during the 1970s and early 1990s. Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff today identified shocking failures covering multiple governments, politicians and health organisations, with victims repeatedly lied to, misled and ignored, and children treated like 'objects for research'. Campaigners today called for a Mr Bates vs The Post Office style drama to keep the issue at the forefront of the public's consciousness - as victims continue to battle for a £1billion compensation package.

More than 3,000 have died and many continue to suffer after tens of thousands of vulnerable NHS patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis. A damning report into what happened published today in London identifies a litany of failures covering successive governments, prominent politicians and health organisations, with evidence that victims were repeatedly lied to, misled and ignored. Pictured are campaigners in London today.

Tens of thousands of people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Among them is Andy Evans , 47, who was infected when he was just five years old. He started a campaign group called Tainted Blood in 2006, calling for justice for victims. He and others say today's bombshell report on the scandal offers little comfort to those whose lives have been destroyed.

It all starts the moment you open your eyes. Well before that, actually. Stuff that makes the day off to a rocky start.

On Thursday, the Army veteran Ian Lavender was remembered by celebrities and villagers alike at his funeral at St Mary's Church in Woolpit, Suffolk. The actor, best known as the young Private Pike, was the last remaining main cast member from the wartime series on BBC TV show The actor died on Friday, February 2nd, aged 77, with his wife and sons at his side.

Rick Wakeman contributes to our travel Q & A. He also addresses his first package holiday (to Majorca) and how he and his bandmates used to 'drink planes dry'.