The Big Five Oh
It’s an hour before midnight in London, so it’s almost Armitage Day! Happy fiftieth, Richard Armitage!
Here’s his “accidentally” distributed in advance birthday message — loaded elsewhere for security, in case you missed it three days ago.
This is my eleventh post of this kind. In honor of the occasion, I will make a donation of £1 (GBP) for each person who comments on this post from now until I close comments when I get up on Monday morning, 8/23, my time). A person is someone with a unique handle, email and IP address who leaves a comment HERE at my wordpress blog. Limit one comment per person. Lurkers and first-time commentators are welcome. There is no limit on the donation. I will not be sending separate notice to Richard Armitage about this activity, nor do I expect any acknowledgement from him. This is just for fans, really. Because I’ve been doing it forever. My little Richard Armitage birthday hobby.
This year, the money will again be donated to LOROS in honor of Margaret Armitage.
Those in a giving mood may also want to give separately to a charity that Richard Armitage has supported.
Your comment does not have to have any particular content. If you would like to say something, you could discuss your reaction to the birthday video!
Me + Richard Armitage 
You’re wonderful for doing this. I got a good chuckle (and a little misty eyed) watching the video. Think he really misses his mum.
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I’m sure he does, and really, it’s early days still.
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Look forward to this every year. Richard is right. Curiosity is one thing that keeps us young.
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This is true! Thanks for commenting
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Hey Serv, today it’s 7 years since I joined Twitter for the occasion. So much has happened since then. Funny enough all the RA related entries on my blog from 2015/16 still have an active audience. Might check out his birthday chart tomorrow to celebrate. 🙂
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Did you look? Does he have good things coming up?
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Let’s say he’s got a lot on his plate. It’s could be a time in which one might take on too many things at once. But from his birthchart I think he will be able to focus and not get lost in seemingly endless possibilities.
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good to know he has lots of options.
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that was a very cute video!
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He’s definitely a cutie!
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the way he reads the card is very ‘CBeebies’ -like 😛
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you’re right!
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Thank you for sharing the Birthday video Servetus! I too got a little misty eyed watching it. I have followed Richard’s career since 2005 so find this day special for so many reasons. I’m not sure if at 83 I am the oldest “well-wisher” but possibly one of the oldest? I shall continue to do so for as long as I am able.
PS I have to say I love his silver hair. Helps me forget the large gap in our ages! 😉
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I think it’s good for him to acknowledge his age at least a little.
You just keep going on and on, so the longer you persist, the more likely you are to win the “title” of oldest fan?
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I’ve been following/checking in with your blog since Aug 2013 and I remember that bc I found one of your North and South posts the night after I had surgery and I laid awake reading through your analysis of the series to distract me. I don’t blog myself so I don’t usually comment but I just wanted to say that I’m glad you’re still around, I enjoy your personal posts just as much as I enjoy your Armitage thoughts and opinions ❤️ I can’t believe he’s 50 already! I think I’m at that age where I feel like everyone stays the same and then I’m surprised when time has passed LOL
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Thanks for the many kind words!
I have a similar sensation of a weird sort of inertia around 50. Just recently it occurred to me that most of the talking heads are no longer older to me — they’re my age now — we are actually responsible people. How did that time pass?
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Thank you so much for doing this! I had hoped on getting something from the auction but as a student most things were out of my price range. So thanks for doing this! I absolutely loved this video he posted. I think he should do a weekly video lol!
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Most of the things in the auction were out of most people’s range, I think. In any case, welcome!
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Hello Servetus, you’re the best! Happy Birthday Richard Armitage!
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I tried a Nanaimo bar a few weeks ago and thought of you!
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Only curious: what is a Nanaimo bar?
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It’s a dessert item mostly eaten in Canada (from the community of Nanaimo, BC), but spreading across North America (Sparkhouse was making them one Christmas for an office party). They are relatively easy to make but really rich — you can only eat a few bites before it’s enough.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanaimo_bar
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I can substantiate this claim. (So many wedding showers where this was featured.)
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Thank you for the link, it looks delicious
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Thanks for reposting the video! I managed to catch it right before he took it down, so it’s great to watch again. And thank you for the great bday gift for him!
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I’m still trying to talk myself into believing he is that much of a tech incompetent. But in any case, someone is always watching these days.
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Oh I love the video! (Is it a filter though that makes him look like there are no lines around the eyes, do you think?) Thanks for doing your donation again!
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The HD version he posted does actually show the lines. Frankly, I like the lived-in look in a man’s face.
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aha, you were the person who noted it.
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I guess the edited version shows his eyes? I didn’t look at it. Thanks for commenting!
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Thank you for doing this, and for sharing the video! I hadn’t seen it before.
Wishing you the best, Serv ❤
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Somebody downloaded it before he could delete the tweet. Armitage fans are resourceful! Thanks for the good wishes.
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May I join you in wishing RA a very happy half century. Best wishes to him in England or wherever he may be. 🌈🍰🎁🎂💥🥳👏
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I was thinking England, but when he tweeted last night it would really have been the middle of the night for him. Wo who knows?
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Thank you for doing the birthday donations again this year. Also thanking for sharing Richards birthday video. I think he looks a bit different, but maybe due to him having the beard for so long. Well a happy 50th birthday to Richard.
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yeah, I do think the clean face is a bit startling right now!
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Thank you for doing this once again Serv. I love the video, love the silver in his hair!
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I definitely agree about the hair!
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Thanks, Serv! Happy birthday, Richard! 🎂🎉🥳😊❤️
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Hugs to you, Zan!
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Wonderful that you’re doing this again, Servetus. 🙂 Happy birthday, Richard!
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Thanks for your check in from vacation! (and you say you’re not that intense of a fan, lol)
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LOL! Well, I have my moments…
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Happy birthday, Richard, and wishing you a fab day! ❤
Thank you, Serv – sending you a big hug. ❤
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Right back atcha, and hope the earth is not trembling today where you are.
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It did 10 days ago, but everything was ok here. hugs
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Such a generous thing to do, Servetus, thank you. Thanks for the video (I love the way he weilds his sword!) Happy Birthday Richard!
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I honestly thought the sword would crush the poor little cup cake. Must be well honed.
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Thanks for holding on to that tradition of yours Servetus ❤ and a happy birthday to Richard!
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Thanks for hanging in there with me all this time!
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@Servetus: It’s my pleasure!
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Thank you for not breaking with the tradition regardless of your personal circumstances. Sending you much love Serv; and of course Happy Birthday to RA (who I still prefer in his current beardless state 😉)
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Thanks. I wonder if there was a big contingent of people who preferred beardless who’ll reappear now?
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Yay! Thanks Servetus for your part in this year’s birthday charity fundRAising. I might end up commenting more than once here, but of course, only one donation from you is required, using your generous criteria! I will try to donate too according to how many comments I make.
Firstly thanks for posting The Original video link. In case it’s not been mentioned previously, he has uploaded an HD version 2nd time around, and he has tweaked the ending, to thank the fundRAising efforts this year.
Al little bit of unsubstantiated speculation has been if he would match the jacket bid, or the total raised. But in the end of this video he writes ‘over £18,000 raised for Loros’ so, Ivguess he’s just matching the jacket price. Fair enough – I never thought the fan activities could beat the jacket bid, but they have, wow wow wow!
Also, (trying to stop my pedantry but I can’t help myself), your previous post is a great round up of charities he supported as if that time. There are the two Christmas 2020 giving pages too as well to Magic Breakfast and Homelessness (iirc).
Bravo for your efforts too. 😘👍
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Happy birthday to Richard! Cheers to the next fifty years! I can understand his feelings to celebrate birthday in general, I have the same ambivalence.
His gray hair suits him very well.
Thank you Servetus that you keep on this awesome tradition. All the best to you
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Yeah. Although frankly it’s a bit weird because his reticence around his birthday was usually expressed as not wanting to think about aging as opposed to being embarrassed by the attention. It’s a bit difficult to know what to do, I suspect, if thousands of people want to mark your birthday but you don’t. It’s definitely a luxury we have, to be ambivalent.
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Thank you for doing this. I hope you are doing well. I stumbled over to your blog when The Hobbit came out, and I’ve been a lurker and sometime-commentor since. I hope you are doing well and having a great day on Richard’s birthday!
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Nice to see you here and hope all is well!
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Happy birthday to RA from me too!
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yay! Thanks on his behalf 🙂
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Oh Happy Day!
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That always makes me think of the song:
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Thank you for sharing Richard”s birthday video. I was quite moved by it. I like that he honours his family and also acknowledges his fans. I have been a fan since first seeing him in on the tv in North & South back in 2004. Frankly, I am somewhat amazed that I remain a fan some 16 years later….
Many happy returns Richard. Xx
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2004 for me too and likewise can’t believe that I’m still here, swooning.
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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(this should be smilies)
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It’s good exercise!
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Lots of ups and downs, no? I hope he had a great day, too.
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Awww! Happy birthday to Richard! I love his incredible, demure personality…but the spark of childlike fun- cutting his cupcake with Orchrist!!!😊🤪 Is it me? Or has there become a sense of heaviness…the somber acknowledgement of the pain of loss (I adore his love for his mother), the wise reflection on his years and what a birthday truly represents. This man. A beautiful heart and soul. Hope his 50th…and his curiosity…brings him immeasurable joys.
Thank you, S, for your consistent support of all things RA!!!🎉🥳🎶❤
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I think it’s hard to get to 50 without some kind of loss (given western generational structure) but i hope he’s managing it okay.
Nice to see you here!
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Happy Birthday! Mr. Armitage
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Great to hear from you!
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I would like to join in wishing Mr Armitage a happy 50th birthday. I hope he is healthy, happy and will be continuing to be the inspiration for all his well wishers.
Thank you Servetus for arranging this. Your generosity and kindness are very much appeciated. I’m a lurker that have been folowing your blog for sometime and enjoy it a lot. I’m looking forward to finding your next postings!
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Thanks for your nice words. I hope he’s well, too, along with all of us!
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Thank you for posting this as I would have missed it. It reminds me of what I like about the man.
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This was definitely the version of Richard Armitage that is very close to Harry Kennedy.
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Hope still on time, 30 mins more to go. At least I made it before the day was over here. Sweet… he made me cry and smile and very unexpectedly…hope. I like the thought of having something to look forward to as long as one is still curious. Who knew, hope would come from Richard. It’s your birthday Richard, but I’m the one having to say a big thank you. Happy birthday and thank you S for marking it as always. There is much comfort in these anchor points.
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I’m totally with you, Hariclea!! Feeling so emotional myself with this message and our annual virtual come together.
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So I’ll tell you a “dad” story — after our last trip to emergency (he went in an ambulance), after they revived him, dad said, “I’ve never been inside an ambulance before. That was kind of neat!” So yeah, curiosity may have killed the cat but I guess it keeps us alive!
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Lovely Richard, a bit wistful settled back in someone’s “Man cave”. Greying temples really suit him although ++ with full beard even more.
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yeah, I still prefer the beard but he looks good here.
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Nearly missed your post. Gotta say his video was really fun to watch. Partly because of the hints in the background. It was nice to see he kept two mementos of The Crucible.
Thanks for keeping up the “birthday hobby!!
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I’m less and less interested in “fan forensics” as time goes on, but I’m sure they kept people chattering!
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Step by step…
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Chanson jamais entendue ici… Merci
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Thank you for doing this. Wishing Richard a very happy birthday and much success with his ventures and ideas. I am missing the hair and beard!
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maybe this is his summer shear, and he’ll go back to more hair as it cools off. LOL.
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Happy 50th birthday to Richard Armitage!
I’ve even so busy, forgot to write a commemorative story. Oh well.
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You’ve had a lot going on. But I’m sure a belated story would be welcome!
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I had a lump in my throat when he mentioned he thought his mom would celebrate with him.
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Yeah, you can tell he got very emotional. It’s obvious again and again that he was really, really close to his mother (and still is!)
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Yeah. I’m pretty sure most people don’t anticipate their parents being absent for such big moments of their lives. Although, thinking of it, my mother missed my fiftieth, too.
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Happy 50th to Richard Armitage. This is such a lovely gesture. Thanks.
Serv, I hope you’re doing alright.
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Thanks. There’ll be an update soon.
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I am soooooo late! Sitting on an island on Chiemsee. Quite offline!! But Richards birthday and Servetus’ ritual shout out are mandatory. Thinking of you!!
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Herrenchiemsee or Frauenchiemsee? 🙂
Thanks for making the extra effort!
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Frauenchiemsee! 🙂
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Thanks to everyone who commented. I counted 38 individual commentators participating. I will respond to comments tomorrow, I hope.
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[…] “The Big Five Oh” (August 21). Annual Richard Armitage birthday post. His fiftieth was probably the biggest […]
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2021 at “me + richard” | Me + Richard Armitage said this on December 31, 2021 at 5:59 pm |