
Enormous amount doctor husband of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson left to his family in his will
Dr Malcolm Donaldson was a paediatric consultant and senior lecturer in child health at the University of Glasgow until his retirement.
He died at the age of 75 on September 22.
Affectionately known as Dr Gruffalo by his young patients at the city's Royal Hospital for Children, Dr Donaldson was known for his 'kindness and dedication'.
He was married to the notorious children's author, whose books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child have been global best-sellers for 52 years.
Following his death, probate documents revealed he left an estate valued at £1,322,528 and a will he prepared in 2020 instructed his fortune should be handed to his family.
Dr Donaldson met the award-winning author and former Children's Laureate at Bristol University in 1968, when he was studying medicine and she was studying drama and French.
The couple lived in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden from 1987 until moving to Surrey in 2014.
As a highly-respected academic, Dr Donaldson wrote or contributed to more than 180 publications, papers and books.
But he was also an accomplished actor, singer and guitarist who accompanied his wife to perform her songs and stories at festivals, schools, libraries and bookshops around the world.
Tributes were paid to Donaldson after his death.
Axel Scheffler, who illustrated the Gruffalo books, said: 'I have known Malcolm for 30 years and always admired his enthusiasm for our books, Julia's work and children's books in general.
'All this beside being a paediatric consultant and giving lectures all over the world.
'His true passion was performing with Julia on stage, playing the guitar and acting - especially his legendary suave role of the Fox in*The Gruffalo.
'He will be deeply missed.'
The British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) said: 'His contributions will continue to resonate in the field of paediatric endocrinology and child health in the UK, Europe and beyond for many years to come.
'His warmth, wisdom and gentle spirit will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all you knew him.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Scottish firm to bring From Ground Zero film to UK cinemas
The anthology documentary, From Ground Zero, showcases' dozens of emerging Palestinian artists as they share messages of heartbreak and defiance which will be available in cinemas across the UK from September 12. The Glasgow-based distributor Cosmic Cat will release the film which has been described as an extraordinary time capsule of a visceral response to an ongoing catastrophe as the artist's call to bear witness the crimes being committed in Palestine. Produced by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi and executive producer, and two-time Oscar winner, Michael Moore, each film featured on From Ground Zero rages in length from, three to six minutes, and presents a different perspective of the lived reality in Gaza. READ MORE: John Swinney and Donald Trump talk whisky tariffs in Aberdeenshire The collective of filmmakers aims to give the audience an on-the-ground, intimate perspective of a territory now so often viewed through war and casualty footage and will be able to be viewed across the UK, including at the Glasgow Film Theatre. Using a mix of genres including documentary, docu-fiction, stop-motion animation, and experimental cinema, From Ground Zero has been critically acclaimed for its ability to capture the experiences of Palestinian life, including the immense challenges and tragedies of navigating the warzone each day. Shot in between, and sometimes during, bombing raids across nine months from 2023-2024 From Ground Zero features short films like Damo Nidal's Everything Is Fine which follows the daily life of a comedian before he performs his stand-up set in a bombed venue. (Image: From Ground Zero) Other shorts like, Neda'a Abu Hassnah's Out of Frame sees artist Ranin Al Zeriei surveying the remainder of her destroyed studio, while Reema Mahmoud's documentary, Selfies, sits with a young woman while she applies her make-up to hide the physical signs of trauma. Meanwhile, shorts like Khamis Masharawi's Soft Skin which captures young children using stop-motion animation to relay the nightmare experience of their parents writing their family names on their limbs in case a bomb hits, aims to showcase the horrors Palestinians have faced during Israel's brutal bombardment on Gaza. Those behind From Ground Zero claim that the screenings aim to serve as a reminder that despite previous efforts to silence them, as the film was stricken from the 2024 Cannes lineup on political grounds after initially being accepted, Palestinian people's voices are louder than ever through art and film. You can click here to find out more information about screenings and tickets.


The Guardian
2 hours ago
- The Guardian
Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession to pass through Birmingham city centre
Ozzy Osbourne's funeral cortege is to pass through his home city of Birmingham on Wednesday. The hearse will travel along Broad Street to Black Sabbath Bridge and the Black Sabbath bench – the sites of thousands of messages, floral tributes and vigils following the metal star's death last week at the age of 76 – at 1pm BST. Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said: 'It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.' The Osbourne family has paid for the event and all associated costs, and Osbourne's wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack – possibly among his other children – will follow the procession before the private funeral later in the day, the details of which have not been made public. The local brass band Bostin Brass will soundtrack the procession, with members of Black Sabbath and the musician Yungblud thought to be taking roles. Fans at home will be able to watch the procession via an ongoing live stream of the Sabbath bench. Fans from across the world – including the Canadian R&B megastar Drake, who was passing through the city on tour – have travelled to Birmingham to pay their respects to Osbourne. Iqbal said that he had been moved by accompanying fans in a line to sign a book of condolences, and that Osbourne had put 'Birmingham on the map. He put Aston on the map.' In June, Osbourne and Black Sabbath were given the Freedom of the City ahead of their Back to the Beginning gig, a mammoth, all-star show paying tribute to Osbourne as he and Black Sabbath gave their final live performance. The event raised more than £1m for local charities fundraising for children's causes and treatment of Parkinson's, which Osbourne was diagnosed with in 2003. Evoking David Bowie's death just days after the release of his final album, Blackstar, in 2016, Osbourne died 17 days after the performance, at home in Buckinghamshire. Thousands of fans are expected to attend the event: Birmingham council has encouraged mourners to turn up early, and roads will close from 7am. A book of condolences will remain open at the Birmingham Museum and Art gallery, where the exhibition Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero remains open. In 2011, Osbourne told the Times what he hoped for from his funeral. He didn't care about the music, he said. 'But I want to make sure it's a celebration, not a mope-fest.'


Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
John Torode's wife Lisa Faulkner is flooded with support from celeb pals as she gives update after breaking her silence after MasterChef star was sacked for 'using a racist slur'
John Torode 's wife Lisa Faulkner has been flooded with support from her celebrity pals as she took to Instagram with an update on Tuesday, TV chef John, 59, recently lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. And now Lisa has thanked the couple's dog for supporting them these past few weeks as she shared a sweet snap with Rory. She penned: 'Our little shadow over the past few weeks. I can't tell you how much Rory has kept me smiling. 'Every day she wakes up wagging her tail, smiling and greeting a new day with her positivity ! My motto really is Be More Rory'. And friends headed straight to the comments to share their support as fellow TV stars Amanda Holden, Cat Deeley and Nicole Appleton shared their support. TV chef John, 59, recently lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of Cat penned: 'Sending big love' while Amanda added: 'Sending you both loads of love' and Kate Thornton added a series of red love hearts. It comes after Lisa broke her silence on Monday after the MasterChef star was sacked as she spoke out for the first time since her husband was fired. She said: 'Hi there, I just wanted to check in and say hello and I'm here. 'Just thank you for all your really lovely comments because they really mean a lot, so thank you.' John was reportedly singing the rapper's hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly 'caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago'. But, BBC News has since reported this was not the incident which led to the complaint upheld by the report. This instead related to another incident a year earlier, when he allegedly used the same word on set after filming an episode of MasterChef and it was directed at a member of staff. The news site added that the upheld allegation of racist language was one of nine complaints made against Torode in the report, which also related to allegations of abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language, and which were not upheld. Friends headed straight to the comments to share their support as fellow TV stars Amanda Holden, Cat Deeley and Nicole Appleton shared their support Others also sent their words of support as they flooded the comments It comes after Lisa broke her silence on Monday after the MasterChef star was sacked as she spoke out for the first time since her husband was fired These allegations were not upheld as they were unsubstantiated due to a lack of evidence or witnesses. The Sun claims Torode used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn't take offence. The Australian-born chef has insisted 'he had absolutely no recollection' of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago. The person who raised the complaint is understood to have 'overheard the conversation'. The production pal allegedly backed Torode and said he only used the racial slur as an 'example' and 'apologised afterwards'. MailOnline has contacted BBC and Torode's representatives for comment. A witness told investigators he had apologised immediately, 'was mortified' and 'didn't use the term as a slur' in 2018. The BBC said earlier this month that Torode's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term'. The corporation has refused to say what the racist term was - as has Torode, who has claimed he did 'not believe that it happened'. But it was then described as the 'worst racial slur there is' by Richard Osman, who added of the investigation: 'They found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with - that that was true'. Torode said after his sacking, in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of.' The complaint against Torode was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace's inappropriate behaviour. Wallace, 60, was sacked after dozens of complaints against him were upheld. Torode identified himself as an unnamed person in the report who was accused of using 'racist language'. ITV have continued to host the disgraced presenter on his show he shares with his wife, Lisa; John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen. In the nine months since MasterChef finished filming last Autumn there have been questions over whether it would ever be broadcast following allegations of inappropriate behaviour against presenters Wallace and Torode. Last week the corporation revealed that the amateur series of MasterChef filmed last year, before allegations against Gregg and John were upheld, will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6. The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings. A source said: 'The BBC have made it clear that it should limit the amount of airtime the presenters have in the editing of the new series, with a bigger focus on the contestants who are at the heart of the competition.' 'Neither Gregg nor John will appear in BBC iPlayer thumbnails and they will not be doing any promotional activity around the latest series.' 'All of the brilliant new contestants were consulted on whether the series should be broadcast, and no one objected.' 'Everyone involved is very keen to promote the hard work of the contestants and that will be our priority.' The BBC said it had taken the decision to broadcast the unaired series 'after careful consideration and consultation with the contestants'. In a statement, the corporation said: 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.' The BBC also said it had not yet taken a decision on the completed celebrity series and Christmas special, filmed with Torode and food critic Grace Dent. In its statement, the BBC said: 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. 'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series.' The BBC concluded its statement by describing MasterChef as 'a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual'. 'There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.' The MailOnline understand that the BBC have told the MasterChef production company Banijay that the show should reduce Gregg and John's screen time to a minimum in light of the report's findings But some people are not happy with the decision, including former workers on the show. While former contestants on the show previously said that being on MasterChef can be 'life-changing' for them. Some of the women who came forward with claims against Gregg have said they didn't think it should be shown. One former MasterChef worker told BBC News it would show 'a real lack of respect' to people like her if the series was aired, while another warned it would 'make a mockery' of the people who have spoken out.