It was with great sadness that Monmouth School learnt of the death of Victor Spinetti. 

Victor was a boarder in New House from 1943 to 1947 and kept in close contact with the School throughout his life and indeed his Great Nephew is a current pupil.  He returned to open the drama studio in 2001 and was also the guest of honour at the Monmouth School Speech Day in 2009.  He was a marvellous raconteur and held the entire marquee spellbound.  Afterwards, he had a queue of past pupils, parents and current boys wishing to meet him and for him to sign their programmes to mark such a special occasion.

Dr Steven Connors the Headmaster said,

“A true legend of stage and screen, Victor worked right up until his recent illness.  He had a sell-out one man show and a highly acclaimed autobiography in which he affectionately outlined his time spent at Monmouth School, where his dramatic sensibilities began to take shape and where he was, in his own words, “at Monmouth the worst Rugby player they had ever had” But there was far more to life than Rugby and his autobiography reveals how in school his mind was awakened to the glorious discovery of the power of language through writers like Shakespeare.  My wife and I visited him in hospital a few weeks ago where he entertained us with some fascinating anecdotes which even required a little impromptu acting!  He was so full of life it is difficult to believe that he is no longer with us. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers extend to his family and all those who held Victor very dear.  He truly was unique and we are very proud to be able to call him an Old Monmothian”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18148017