Stephen Fry

Quiz king nearly died when he got QI… Quite Intoxicated. The smart-talking TV veteran says a few sips of a strong beer brewed by monks came close to killing him as it triggered his extreme asthma – but he was saved by comedian pal Ben Elton

Stephen, 62, explains: “As soon as the fluid touched my throat I recognised the signs.

“By the time I’d put the glass down I could barely breathe.

“That’s how quick the reaction can be. My lungs just seemed to completely close down.”

Quick-thinking Ben hailed a cab to get the TV legend to hospital.

Stephen says: “The next thing I recall was waking in a recovery room, oxygen mask on my face, concerned eyes peering down. It had been a close-run thing.”

Stephen recalls the moment in book Dear NHS: 100 Stories To Say Thank You.

Looks like Ken Barlow made a pretty penny when he sold up his Corrie home to move into a retirement complex this year. His Salford terraced house is today valued at £148,527 – and while he may have sold to daughter Tracy at a discount, its value has increased by 11,221 per cent since he bought it in 1960 for £1,312.

says his After Life companion Brandy is to retire after the show’s third series. His sidekick in the Netflix show is played by German Shepherd Anti .

Ricky told a Screen Actors Guild Awards event: “She was 10 two months ago so she’ll retire soon – I’ll get her in the third season.”

He previously vowed to never kill off Brandy, hired from an agency.

He said: “She’s usually a vicious attack dog or police dog or a Nazi. She’s been typecast so long.”