British inventor, designed some of the most successful competitors in the original "Robot Wars" as well as the giant car in kids' TV mediocrity "Brum".
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.
Canadian-born American architect, whose works are cited as being among the most important works of contemporary architecture in the 2010 World Architecture Survey, which led Vanity Fair to label him as "the most important architect of our age".
Born 5 October 1951 (Dun Laoghaire, Republic of Ireland)
Former Boomtown Rats front man turned shouty, sweary Live Aid and Live 8 organiser. Has been looking even rougher than usual of late, which certainly takes some doing.
TV actress. Best remembered for playing a French antiques dealer who tipsily flirted with Basil Fawlty in an episode of 'Fawlty Towers'. Meeester Faaawltee!
Born 6 January 1943 (New York City, New York, USA)
Sociologist and intellectual, a key figure in anti-Vietnam War protests during the 1960s who has criticised subsequent generations' handling of left-wing politics.
Born 25 April 1944 (Bethnal Green, London, England)
Ballroom dancer, best known as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars. Known for shouting out "Seven" in a particularly strange way.
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.
Corpulent neuroscientist whose studies naturally focus on obesity. Formerly a comic actor and greeting card model. Well a man's gotta earn a wage… Died February 2018 but no obit.
Session drummer who had his biggest success as a member of Derek and the Dominos, playing on "Layla". Someone sullied his copybook when he beat his mother to death with a hammer, for which he has been imprisoned for since 1984.
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.
Legendary singer, songwriter and record producer, best known for recording a series of soul hit singles in the early 1970s, including 'Take Me to the River', 'Love and Happiness' and his signature song, 'Let's Stay Together'.
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.
Born 25 October 1932 (Tobermore, Northern Ireland)
Legendary ex-Manchester United & Northern Ireland goalkeeper who was a hero in the Munich Disaster, when he saved a number of people from death in the minutes after the plane crash.
Former SS guard at Auschwitz, found guilty in court some 70 years later. Though an outspoken critic of Holocaust denial, this in turn made him unusually open about his Nazi past, which made him easier to prosecute!
Indigenous Australian actor, globally famous as the native boy in the 70s film "Walkabout" but a - admittedly troubled - star in his home country to this day.
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.