Nine-times married, cop-slapping actress. Was in a coma for a while after a collision between her car and a lamp-post on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard in November 2002.
Norwegian sociologist, originally known for his founding work in peace and conflict studies but now famed for his massively anti-Semitic theories on media control.
Born in Houghton-Le-Spring, England (exact date unknown)
Character actor, fifth or sixth down the cast list for 'Middlemarch', 'When the Boat Comes In', 'The Manageress' and countless other TV dramas of the past 50 years. Born 1925.
Flawed genius of the football field, who played for Newcastle United, Spurs, Lazio, Rangers and of course England, when he wasn't busy boozing and/or crying. On and off the wagon constantly.
R & B singer who enjoyed great success in the 1970s with hits such as 'I Will Survive' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye', making her something of a gay icon.
Annoying one trick pony. Hit paydirt with the mockumentary 'The Office' in 2001, perhaps the most monumentally overrated programme in the history of television.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England (exact date unknown)
Ex-model and actress. Played Kat Slater's mum in one of those 'EastEnders' flashback episodes and thus managed to get the fact she's dying of eye cancer on 'This Morning'. Born c. 1972.
Actor, born in the US, but raised in Australia, where he found fame through the Mad Max films. Since then, he's been one of Hollywood's top actors. More recently has been directing bizarre films & insulting policemen.
Born 7 November 1947 (New York City, New York, USA)
Man who shot four black muggers in 1984, sparking off one of the biggest stateside media circuses of the 1980s. Also one of the few people mentioned in the lyrics to 'We Didn't Start The Fire' who are still living.
The starlet of 'The Wizards of Waverley Place' who, in a stunningly original move for Disney Channel actresses, then embarked on a pop career that involved her wearing very few clothes.
Joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1952, rising steadily to become its General Secretary from 1985-91 and President of the USSR from 1990-91. Has a map of Italy tattooed on his head for some reason.
Former US Vice President and Presidential candidate. Famously lost the 2000 election to George W. Bush despite having the majority of the popular vote. Now a prominent environmentalist.
Born 7 November 1918 (Charlotte, North Carolina, USA)
Travelling evangelist who has been preaching his doctrine of sin and salvation around the world for almost 60 years. Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1992.
Born 21 February 1955 (Saint Thomas, US Virgin Isles)
Actor & comedian, best known as the lead role in 'Frasier', but also for his roles in 'Cheers' and 'The Simpsons' (as the voice of Sideshow Bob). Suffered a heart-attack in 2008.
Modernist and one of Britain's leading product designers. Responsible for the looks of the Kodak Instamatic, the Intercity 125 train and the first UK parking meters, among others.
Born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England (exact date unknown)
Doctor for the elderly at Pinderfields Hospital, who has become more famous for her blog and other charity and media events profiling her fight against terminal cancer. Born 1981.
Six-foot tall, tub-thumping feminist Aussie writer, best known for her book 'The Female Eunuch' and her frequent appearances on chat shows, where she tries to make out that she isn't that scary really.
Manager of Aston Villa during their probably-not-to-be-repeated-soon title challenge in the 1998/99 season. His career has somewhat flatlined since then, having floated around the Israeli and Kazakh leagues.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. According to our contributor, he's a nice guy, you'd want him for a grandfather, and he is both the head of state and the spiritual leader of Tibet.