MB50 is very doubtful that at 39+ Adrian Mole is dead (or that he’s really been having prostate problems). 
Or put another way we are confident that, after a breath spell in the Bardo and long and tender goodbyes to ST, he ‘ll be back in good time to chart life through his 40’s… and beyond! Plus the shock of this ‘wake up’ call may well be the making him!