How Bill Oddie was a comfort to me | Brief letters

I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again | Marmite ice-cream | Obituaries | Natural causes | Vanished plate

Sad to hear of Bill Oddie’s death (Report, 27 July). He first grabbed my attention in I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again, a 1960s radio show with fine comedic talent: John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall. Bill’s songs were always witty. I remember going to a recording of the show and watching him grapple with the line “He battled with the rollocks”. To a 14-year-old that was hysterical. As a lifelong depressive, when I heard about Bill’s own battle, I felt sympathy for him and comfort for myself.
Chris House
Hertford

• Regarding the best ice-creams, Lucy Knight awards 5/10 for flavour to the Marmite on toast creation (Scoop of the year!, 28 July). Surely in the case of Marmite, the only appropriate ratings are 10 or zero?
Adrian Brodkin
London