[The Saucepan Man]

Saucepan's view has made me think more about my view that you would have to WEAR the ring, but I still think you would (and been tempted by it?) to become a ringbearer.

So, had Frodo carried the Ring all the way to Cirith Ungol with the intention of destroying it, but without ever having worn it, and then been killed there by Shelob or the Orcs of the Tower, you wouldn't class him as having been a Ringbearer?

Yes, you are mixing it up with the film.

Ah yes. I thought that I might be. Thanks. But the point still holds that Gandalf cannot be classed as a Ringbearer (of the One Ring).

He [Sam] was definitely tempted by the Ring, so in my mind, that more than qualifies him as a Ringbearer.

Ah, but the question is whether someone who has never worn the Ring (such as Sam in the film) can be classed as a Ringbearer. I think that they can if they bear it in circumstances where they have some right (assumed or otherwise) to do so.