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Kevin Stoney Tribute

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Dr Dean
Moderator

1 Posts

Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 10:35:00

This is a copy of the post that I made in the RT forum. I wanted to pay tribute to Kevin

Derek and I met and interviewed Kevin many years ago and remained friendly with him ever since. Whenever we were passing near to his house we would pop around with some cakes and have tea and a chat. Kevin was an expert at chatting and it was wonderful to hear his stories about all manner of things. He had a wonderful memory and would know a great deal about many of the actors that got mentioned during conversation. Everyone that met Kevin would agree that he was a true gentleman and everybody that knew him always spoke highly of him.

Over the years the decline in Kevin's health was very evident with each successive visit. He would get out of breath very easily and suffered for many years from exhaustion and general lack of energy. A few years ago Kevin was hospitalised with a bad virus and suffered from a dramatic loss of weight. This coincided with another rumour of his death, which seemed to be quite frequent now due to his age. However, he pulled through this period and made a good recovery. Kevin always used to joke about these reports stating Mark Twain's quote that "The rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated".

Kevin was always in high demand for public appearances but always appeared to be non-committal. He explained to me that this was not because he was busy or snobbish but that his health was so unpredictable. Any conventions or signing events were usually worded as 'health permitting'. Kevin found it very difficult to keep to a schedule as he only really knew if he was well enough to attend an event in the morning of that day. He told me that he really didn't like to let people down and would rather not commit than end up disappointing people.

Then about a year ago Kevin was diagnosed with skin cancer. He told me that this made him self conscious and embarrassed about the way he might look and so his public appearances became even rarer.

I last spoke to Kevin only last month. As usual he would not usually pick up the phone immediately as it was quite a walk from his living room to the hallway where the phone was kept but he would always return my calls. He was in high spirits and sounded quite well. He sometimes got out of breath during a conversation but this time he sounded like his old self. He had now been diagnosed with bowel cancer and was in the process on undergoing a series of tests. Nevertheless he was in good spirits and seemed fine.

When I heard the news of his death my initial reaction was 'oh no not another Kevin Stoney death rumour'. As many of you know, his must be the most rumoured celebrity death. I tried to call him yesterday but got no answer and he didn't return my call. Today I have spoken to his niece who lives in Carlisle and she confirmed that sadly this time the rumours are true. Kevin died on 22nd January after being hospitalised following a bought of illness related to the bowel cancer. His funeral was in Carlisle last week.

My thoughts go to Kevin's family at this time. This is very sad news and marks the loss of a great Dr Who icon. But on a more personal note the loss of a kind and warm gentle-man and a good friend.

Dean

mondas42
Junior Time Traveller

United Kingdom
60 Posts

Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 10:37:34

Lovely Tribute.

Martin

chap with wings
Legendary Time Traveller

United Kingdom
3192 Posts

Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 12:30:22

Seconded.

"I didn't get where I am today by selling ice cream tasting of bookends, pumice stone and West Germany."

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kajaboy
Legendary Time Traveller

United Kingdom
1673 Posts

Posted - 05 Feb 2008 : 13:46:45

Agreed.

"JN~T's Champion. Just try to complain about Mel, and you will answer to me"

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Steve Hatcher
Newbie

United Kingdom
2 Posts

Posted - 06 Feb 2008 : 01:04:42

Kevin's contributions to the Daleks Masterplan and Invasion recons are to my mind, the best of all the celebrity interviews / introductions on a recon tape - especially the warm, self-deprecating interview on The Invasion. Kevin's work on so many great shows was extraordinary. He will be very much missed.

Makkabee
Legendary Time Traveller

1516 Posts