HAHA Oh did anyone see that rumour scome scruffians made about Tom Baker?

[Gingerbread Demon]

So did anyone see that rumour that Tom Baker had died?

Channel 10 Australia ran with the story without fact checking

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Wasn't the first time that's happen, I'm certain.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Wasn't the first time that's happen, I'm certain.

The stories started on Sunday but our plucky news channel didn't bother to even check, just ran with it in the 5pm news

 

[StCoop]

Funnily enough this photo was taken last Sunday.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Ah there you go he's 80 years young

 

[matthunter]

Still, if you hadn't seen him since Day of the Doctor you might be a little shocked at the weight loss.

But then DoTD was 9 years ago and we've had lockdown since.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

He was losing that weight even before the lockdown, I believe.

But he has lost even more since then. It is a bit shocking to see how skinny he has become.

 

[auntiehill]

Ah there you go he's 80 years young

He's 88.

 

[Timewalker]

Back in the '80s I was reading a book on the history of science fiction. Tom Baker had an entry in it, and it stated that he had died of a drug overdose in New York City.

 

[diankra]

Back in the '80s I was reading a book on the history of science fiction. Tom Baker had an entry in it, and it stated that he had died of a drug overdose in New York City.

Judging by his book, he started that rumour himself to a taxi driver who was delighted to have Mr Pertwee in his cab.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

He's 88.

Ah thank you @auntiehill

 

[Timewalker]

Judging by his book, he started that rumour himself to a taxi driver who was delighted to have Mr Pertwee in his cab.

So how did it get from a cab to a book on the history of science fiction?

 

[diankra]

At a guess, the cab driver passed it on to other customers. Tom tells the story in his 1997 book.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Back in the '80s I was reading a book on the history of science fiction. Tom Baker had an entry in it, and it stated that he had died of a drug overdose in New York City.

That was another Tom Baker

Tom Baker died of a drug overdose in 1982 in New York City, in the loft on 14th Street which he shared with friend and actor Bob Brady who starred in Liquid Sky. His death caused confusion in the media. British actor Tom Baker was more well-known at the time, due to his portrayal of the Doctor on the BBC programme Doctor Who, and was also a heavy drinker. Some publications mistakenly reported that the British actor had died.

 

[The Wormhole]

Wasn't the first time that's happen, I'm certain.

I remember a story about a radio station once announcing the death of singer Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot himself was at his dentist listening to the radio during his appointment when he heard his own death being reported. After he was done at the dentist, he went to the radio station, walked in and asked "who told you I died?"

 

[Timewalker]

That was another Tom Baker

I know that. The book stated it in the context of Doctor Who and did not bother to mention that it was a different Tom Baker.

I remember a story about a radio station once announcing the death of singer Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot himself was at his dentist listening to the radio during his appointment when he heard his own death being reported. After he was done at the dentist, he went to the radio station, walked in and asked "who told you I died?"

I once received a letter from the electricity company, addressed to my estate, informing me that because I'd died owing money, they were cutting off my electricity.

It was a bit of a shock for them when I called and told them that I was still alive and they had to restore my electricity since I'd be needing it.

I can only surmise that they got confused between me and my grandmother. Her first name is my middle name, same last name. She is the one who was dead.

 

[diankra]

At a guess, the cab driver passed it on to other customers. Tom tells the story in his 1997 book.

Alternatively Tom already knew of the other Tom Baker, so it added to his story.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Alternatively Tom already knew of the other Tom Baker, so it added to his story.

I'd like to think that's the cause as he probably would have known about the other guy with the same name.