The Daily: 26 July

We scour the news so you don't have to.

Doctor Who actress Mary Tamm died this morning at the age of 62, after an 18-month-long  battle with cancer. Tamm played the doctors companion Romana, alongside Tom Baker, later taking on roles such as BBC drama 'The Treachery Game' and the sitcom 'The Hello, Goodbye Man.' In August 2009, Tamm also made a brief one week appearance in the popular soap drama EastEnders, playing a Russian woman named Orlenda. It is unknown whether the second part of her autobiography 'Second Generation' is finished, or whether it will be published after her death.

Bacon tops the list as Britain's favourite food

Bacon has topped the list as Britain's favourite food after a comprehensive study into what makes up Britain's favourite tastes. The Top 100 Food Index included a list of everyday items such as fruits, meats and vegetables, along with more exotic foods such as sushi and chorizo. Bacon was followed by chicken in second place, along with chocolate in third place, proving that simple traditional fare has not given way to the more unusual cuisine appearing in supermarkets all across the nation. Bananas have also been confirmed as Britain's favourite fruit ranking at number 8, along with Britain's favourite vegetable Asparagus, ranking at number 14.

150-million-year-old oyster likely to contain worlds biggest pearl

A 150-million-year-old oyster fossil that was discovered off the south coast is rumoured to contain the worlds biggest pearl. Experts analysed the fossil by using medical MRI Scan technology, with results showing a large circular object, around the size of a golf ball. If the object is removed and identified as a pearl, it could potentially be worth thousands of pounds, although there is a million-to-one chance of this being the case. However, scientists have chosen not to delve into this exciting mystery, claiming that it would mean the fossil would have to be destroyed.

550lb Thresher shark is catch of the day at Cardiff fishmongers

A Thresher shark weighing 550lbs is being served up at Ashton Fishmongers in Cardiff, after being caught by trawlers fishing for mackerel in the English Channel. Measuring more than 20ft long, the shark is so big that it had to be chopped in half just to fit on the counter, where people are queuing up to have their picture taken with it. Stall manager Nick Adams, 55, claims that 'shark is usually very popular with our customers', so hopefully the hefty £3,000 price tag should not put people off.

Third of men aged over 75 more likely to battle loneliness

A third of men over the age of 75 have confessed to feeling lonely, spending more than 12 hours each day on their own. Age charity WRVS has done research to highlight the growing concern on elderly isolation, suggesting up to 200,000 men aged 75 or over battle loneliness. Social isolation is more likely to be a problem for the elderly, as those who live a solitary life are more likely to become susceptible to illnesses and need hospital care due to deterioration in their mental and physical health. Even more worryingly, 54 percent of men over 75 have experienced depression; though more than three quarters of them have never sought help. The main cause of loneliness for older men is mainly the death of their partner, followed by losing close companions their own age.