Would You Believe It?

I’d Like To Know

Q Can you please answer a question my grandson asked me – where in the world do wild wolves live and when did they last roam the UK? Mrs C.M., Burnley. A

Although there are many subspecies of wolf, the two main ones are grey (timber wolf) and the smaller red wolf. Wild wolves can be found in North America, Canada, Asia and also many European countries – Romania, Finland, Austria, Greece, Spain and Portugal.

Wolves are members of the Canidae family and are hypercarnivores as they have a diet consisting mainly of meat. They can be found in diverse habitats, from prairies to forests, and they prefer to avoid human contact.

Although there’s no precise date, it’s thought wild wolves were last in the UK around the 16th and 17th centuries, depending on the area – Scotland being the last home of wild wolves.

Q I was listening to John Denver’s “Annie’s Song” recently. It has such beautiful lyrics, but was it written for someone in particular? Mrs J.B., Dundee. A

Yes, the American singersongwriter wrote this for his first wife, Annie Martell, and it was said to be one of the fastest songs he’d written – it took around 10 minutes!

The musician, who was given his first guitar by his grandmother, was born Henry Deutschendorf, but took his stage name from his love of Colorado. Although the song lyrics remain for ever romantic, sadly John and Annie divorced.

Q You mentioned in an answer recently that the role of Del Boy in “Only Fools And Horses” had been offered to Enn Reitel before David Jason. My friend thinks he is Scottish but I don’t agree. Can you please clarify? Mrs B.W., Essex.

A

The actor is of Estonian descent. However, he was born in the Scottish town of Forfar in June 1950. It’s claimed Enn Reitel is an anagram of his real name. The actor, writer and impressionist has been much in demand for narrating and voiceover work for both television and film.

He was too busy on another project at the time the part of Del Boy was offered to him.