R.I.P Bill Shipton

[GabyVaroneCD]

This is absolutely dreadful news and a complete shock.

I never had the privilege of meeting Bill but like many had chatted with him online. I first became aware of Splosh in the early 90's when I got my first laptop and it wasn't long before I bought my first video from him with the great Louise Hodges and Sammy Jane starring.

Splosh made me realise that it was ok to enjoy Tiswas and all the messy stuff and that I wasn't alone in loving seeing people getting messy.

Rest In Peace Bill you're a legend and will be massively missed.

[HenryWilcox]

This isn't an attempt to hijack the thread, but I was on my way to meet Candy when she found out about Bill & told me. After a fair amount of shock (and a larger than sensible intake of wine) we had worked through the bad puns & mucky jokes and thought about what else 'he would have wanted'... Deciding that his own words were the best way to describe our feelings, we decided to raise yet another glass to Bill's memory.

There is nothing quite like a reminder of your mortality to make you realise what is important in life - and strangely perhaps all things sploshy was one of them for me. If you can't have fun and (hopefully) provide it for others, what's the point?

Naturally, Candy had her own twist to put on things, and so this one's for you Bill....

Eat, Drink and Make Messy... or wet!

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Henry (and Candy)

[kellyfowler]

Lovely post, Henry. Such very sad and truly shocking news.

I had two memorable visits to the Fat Fuck over the past year (one on my own and one with messy Lou) and on both occasions, Bill was the perfect host...welcoming, interested in you, non-judgmental, and just happy to chat for hours. A thoroughly nice and decent human being and an absolute legend in his field of expertise. RIP Bill and sincere condolencies to family and friends. He'll never be forgotten and has made such a huge impact on so many lives - a wonderful legacy.

[po1tv]

I only met Bill the once, when visiting the Fat Fuck, and was greatly impressed with his sense of humour and the sheer enthusiasm for what he was doing. People who help others actualise what might otherwise seem unattainable are rare indeed and they bring genuine colour to the world. So, hearing of Bill's passing is very, very sad news. R.I.P.

[Plx]

Such sad news, and very much a shock

Rest in peace Bill

I can only think about all the enjoyment he has given me (us) over the years

[filledstilettos]

This is such a shock I spent a great evening last year in the pub with him I just don't know what to say.
R.I.P. BILL

[Candy Custard]

Thank you Henry for that lovely, thoughtful (and spot on) post... x

[messylaura]

So sad to hear of Bill's passing, Having met Bill a handful of times I remember the excitement of meeting him for the first time and that excitement of meeting him never went away the following times, likewise the same feeling when you knew you were going to meet him again.
While he was with us he certainly left his mark among the Splosh world, and had a bloody good time doing it.

A Legend Passes,
Rest in peace Bill
xx
Bobby

[jojojo]

My throw away line in the, 1989 image set as French maids waste the dessert trolly -WSM thread, seems to have come back to haunt me.
I had the privilege of meeting Bill for the first time at the inaugural WAM convention back at Harbour Heights hotel Tenby in March 1989 organised by Colin Twyford and Roger Carpenter (Aquantics) featuring filming by Mike Ellison (WSM). On the final afternoon he floated his ideas for a magazine dedicated to WAM. Loan behold within months SPLOSH arrived. Attending further Aquantics in 90, 91, 93, 97, 98, 99 enabled me to lap up his wit humour and plain ridiculousness as he could take the piss out of anything (I know he could have been a great mock the week panellist!).
So far I have only attended one London meet but Bill was present and on form as ever. A great guy to be around superb company and the one man responsible for making WAM mainstream and really growing our community, which may never grow as fast again without him, (I hope not though).
Many WAM producers owe a great deal to Bill for providing an outlet for them to share their wares.
It was a real pleasure to have known him

[La Perla]

Indeed, one can only accept that Bill is at rest and free from troubles.
He brought a great deal of fun, humour and delight to many people in his time on this mortal coil.
Recent photos showed a drastic loss of weight so, obviously, he was in a bad way.
As the end came quickly and suddenly, it is a blessing that he is now released from his burdens. RIP.

[Noah]

Truly sad news.

[Candy Custard]

It's taken me a little while to write this, because Bill's honour and legacy deserve some time spent to try and find the right words. It's also taking me some time to accept that he is no longer with us. He was so important to us, such a pioneer of the wam community, whatever will we do without him? Things will never be the same now.

It was a joy and a privilege to have known and spent time with him. Many nights (and a daytime in one case) were spent at the pub, whiling away the hours drinking and talking, having brilliantly long meandering conversations very late into the night, picking random lumps of cake batter out of my hair, accompanied by various (very amused) regular pub-goers. I was also lucky enough to have the absolute joy of spending many messy slapstick silly hours at his excellent studio, in great company, plotting our scenes, the mess, the jokes, and generally setting the world to rights.

We worked really well as a team - because our mutual objective was to get the messy fun and the filming done, and done brilliantly well, as soon as possible, to maximise pub time. (of course!) so I would work hard not to forget my lines and to have as few bloopers as possible and he would tot up the extra pub time that had won us!

It was just wonderful to work with him, he was patient and gentle and applied his wit to almost every situation. I was new to the scene (but aware of how brilliant he was and what a legend!) and really scared before first meeting him, knocking on this ominous looking little door to the studio... something that helped that we had a laugh about, was that weightwatchers were having a meeting upstairs from the studio that day along with a delivery from his cash and carry... so carton after carton of custard and various desserts, sauces, syrups, trifle and treacle were being delivered right in front of the hardcore dieters. His telling me that story right away instantly put me at ease, I forgot all my nerves, and got introduced to the lovely DecadentDoll. A spectacular few days of mess, filming, silliness and trips to the pub followed.

I first saw the home page of splosh! and well, it really felt like home. It was a beautiful moment. I read the section about 'rude women rubbing goo into their bare bodies' and about' beautiful clothing messed up and ruined' and I just knew this was exactly me, that someone understood, someone had taken my very thoughts and desires and turned them into a wonderful series of magazines, videos and a website. It meant so much to me and always will, just like Bill himself. I had been aware of Splosh! for a while before discovering the website, having seen it on the 'real sex' episode where Splosh! was featured. Stuck in a different life though then... I wasn't able to find out more and seek out the website for some time. As soon as I had the chance though, I found it and settled in rather well!

What I loved most about Bill, is that he was all for finding the real beauty in real people, real sploshers, your shape, age, looks, size, gender, sexual orientation, clothing gender preference, colour or religion didn't matter a jot if you were interested in the fun, had the fetish, or were not sure but wanted to try. This was his message, one of fun and acceptance, accepting of others and yourself, enjoying life, doing what you want to do, it's a message that gave me the confidence and encouragement to emerge from my shell and my previous life and become Candy. It's one I really hope I can continue.

We owe it to Bill to accept ourselves, and be accepting of others. To find the beauty in ourselves and in others. To accept who we are to ourselves and proudly think - this is me! This is part of who I am! and not apologise or make excuses for it, just go with it, enjoy it. Show your partner the fun that can be had. Don't be afraid to try it, and enjoy it. Life is just too short to spend any of it being ashamed of yourself, for being yourself.

I must add a thank you to all who have offered to re-arrange their sessions, thinking maybe I'll need to take some time out after this awful news... but I know Bill wouldn't want that at all, quite the opposite in fact. If anyone didn't splosh because of him he really wouldn't be happy! So all sessions this week and beyond are continuing as normal... and with an extra bucket here or there too, in his honour! In fact, I am off right now to the wam pad for a session... and it's amazing to think none of this would happened without Splosh! and Bill. Actually, talking of the wam pad, Bill and I had been planning a new kind of wam video, and we were both extraordinarily excited about it. We were going to film a documentary style video about me and my wam pad, and the filming that goes on there, while sending up a few styles of 'celeb' type documentaries. Top gear road trips was on of them, ending with a 'star in a reasonably priced paddling pool' featuring both me and Hanna.

So funny, so brilliant. I am gutted that we won't be getting to do this now. No-one but Bill could pull that off and make it so funny! I'll make sure that I do something else slapstick and messy now in the week we had written off to film this messtacular spectacle (it was going to be between the 6th and 12th of August)

Here's to you Bill, the fantastic, erudite, kind and witty man who has given us all such a valuable legacy. I owe you so much, my lovely friend, and I'll miss you so sorely.

RIP xx

[andi41]

Rest In Peace Bill X I never got to meet Bill,despite the open invites if ever Im 'down that way',I never got there unfortunately.Judging by everyones responses & those that knew him well,he was as nice in person as he comes across on here,always gave positive comments & loved the fun that came across in pictures.He has left a legacy in Splosh! that may never be equalled. A truly great & inspirational man.. Bill Shipton,,we salute you,,,with plenty of pies!!! XXX Andi XXX

[wsmproductions]

I was filming last Friday and was absolutely gutted to learn last Saturday of the passing of Bill Shipton.
Bill was a long time colleague and dear friend.
His passing will be deeply felt in the UK community as he was one of the very few full time WAM activists, working as producer, director, film editor for his website, plus being a writer and Forum host.
He was the cheery face of UK WAM and a friend to all!
WSM Productions will be writing a special tribute to Bill plus publishing a download to show our respect for his contribution to the WAM community. This will be published next Friday 19th July.
Mike Ellison
http://www.wsmproductions.co.uk

[ClownJulie]

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