We had a long friendship, followed by an intense courtship, followed by a sudden marriage.SHELLEY von STRUNKEL, astrologer: At a conference on 1992 and the European Economic Community at Jesus College, Oxford. That was seven years ago.MICHAEL HOLROYD, biographer: I met my wife, Margaret Drabble, at a dull committee meeting at the Society of Authors. We got chatting and got on so well that he ended up asking me out. I really liked him but I used to go to pieces every time he came in. One weekend I was in Sainsbury's in Cowley when I saw Colin coming down the aisle I crashed my trolley into his and stopped him. I knew she had a red Golf and that she was at Reading University.

So I addressed the invitation to Janine, the girl with the red Golf, c/o Reading University. She received the invitation, came to the party and is now my wife. LYNN BURNE, wife and mother: I was working in a vet's and Colin used to bring his cat in. I wanted to invite her to a party, but I didn't know her surname. She said: "Are you married?" He said: "No." She said: "Have I got a girl for you!" Later, when I arrived with a bunch of grapes, she said: "Put on some mascara, go to casualty and introduce yourself to this doctor." We were engaged in five weeks. JIM ROSS, accountant: I met Janine at a New Year's Eve party I talked to her only briefly but I liked her. VANESSA FELTZ, television presenter: My grandmother was in hospital He was a doctor who came in to take a blood sample. Paul Austin of Ladbrokes says, "We have never taken bets on matters of life and death." William Hill has an identical policy.

According to spokesman Graham Sharpe "There are far more entertaining and uplifting things for us to speculate on."But Mr Sharpe has soothing words for the rich and famous. "I don't think people are likely to assassinate their neighbours for the sake of a fiver they might win on a sweepstake.". I certainly don't wish anyone ill."Such odds are too distasteful for the nation's betting firms. So many people die and we think 'Oh, no one ever thought of them.' And others hang on forever I've got the Queen Mother I've had her for years.

I think it's the main thing keeping her alive." But, he adds hastily, "Of course, it's very sad when anybody goes. The tally is revised each week, and if there's a dearth of deaths, the stakes can become high. Among those on the current critical list are Mother Theresa, Courtney Love, Ronald Reagan and Zsa-Zsa Gabor.At the Ghoul's last place of employment, the biggest win was pounds 640 - secured on the passing away of actor Vincent Price "I've won a few times myself," says the Ghoul "It's the luck of the draw. The sweepstake is run by a colleague nicknamed The Grateful Ghoul, and each member is allowed to reserve five celebrities.