Roger, I've updated my figures, and to qualify them the following need to to be noted.
# There's been loads of individual 'stories' made up with 2 and 3 strips (but only one serial number).
# Also there's the 16 Xmas specials (5 or 6 strips each), and a full page colour special (6 strips).
# As before, I haven't included any figures for the Sunday Express nor the first time Beau was in the Sunday People as I don't know how many strips were printed there.
# Also it must be noted that two weeks worth of Star strips were both serial numbered 5781 to 5785, and the strips 2898-2903 were re-prints of 580-585.
# And on April 1st 1984 there were 2 strips in the Star ? one was an un-numbered April Fools Day strip (an advert for Harp Lager).
So, if I assume one story (printed on one day but consisting of multiple strips) = 1 strip; and forgetting about the re-prints, serial number errors, S. Express, S.People (1st run) and the odd 'miscellaneous' strips etc, I reckon the figures are:
Daily Star
1978-97 = 5,940
1999 to date (22/03/08) = 2,687
Sunday People
1998-99 = 51
Total = 8,678
As you can see , by my figures you're about 1,322 off the 10,000 mark, but these are only my estimates, so don't take them as accurate.
But still an incredible achievement though, and well worth a big iced cake anyway.
Or a doughnut, at least.
