Convicted fraudster who was released from prison early because he had Alzheimer's Disease, only to make a full recovery, the only man ever to do so. Hmmm...
Born 11 January 1938 (Worsbrough Dale, South Yorkshire, England)
Former miner, Communist, and president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Fought a bitter battle of wills with Margaret Thatcher during the 1984-85 miners' strike, lost, and then founded his own political party
Born 3 January 1969 (Hürth-Hermülheim, Cologne, Germany)
Racing driver who has won the Formula 1 world championship enough times to drain the EU champagne lake dry. Lives in Switzerland, and apparently his favourite drink is apple juice mixed with sparkling water. Life in the fast lane!
The scientist in the news for trying to turn himself into an android to cure ALS. The world is on tenterhooks to see if this is an ALS cure, geeks are on tenterhooks to see if this is the genesis of the Cybermen.
Controversial former Prime Minister of Pakistan. However his popularity in Pakistan has made him a hero (and a potential suicide bomb target) amongst many young Pakistanis.
Actor who will forever be known as Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise, playing the character in the original 'Star Trek' series and reprising the role in seven of the films and various related spin-offs. He also played T. J. Hooker and wrote
Born Carlos Estevez, he was hugely popular in the 1980s, but since then has been embroiled in a string of scandals involving firearms, prostitutes, cocaine and violent behaviour, which has dimmed his shining star somewhat.
Actor of Irish and Spanish ancestry whose most notable roles have included Captain Willard in the classic film 'Apocalypse Now' and the President in TV series 'The West Wing'. Father of Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez (
Hollywood music composer, mostly worked on Disney films. Responsible for coming up with the word "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious", the aural assault that is 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', and the songs in any number of Disney's 'Winnie the Pooh' travesti
Wife of Britain's most prolific serial killer, Harold. He famously timed his suicide so it'd ensure she'd receive the full life insurance policy he'd taken out.
Successful singer-songwriter who first found fame in the 1960s with singing partner Art Garfunkel before continuing with a solo career of similar distinction.
Murderer. Sorry, we mean bad actor & very good American footballer who had, shall we say, a "spot of bother" with the law in the 1990s. Another "spot of bother" saw him jailed in 2008 - this time being violent robbery, amongst other things!
Businessman & entrepreneur, the man behind the ZX81 & Spectrum computers and much more infamously, the C5 electronic bike/buggy/car, which, quite frankly, was an unmitigated disaster.
Born 16 October 1947 (New York City, New York, USA)
American-born British actor. Best known as the camp Lieutenant Gruber in ''Allo 'Allo!' and as the young General Ravon in the classic 1975 'Doctor Who' serial 'Genesis of the Daleks'.
Born 17 September 1965 (New York City, New York, USA)
Director behind The Usual Suspects, the X-Men franchise and much more. For some reason, when Hollywood was swarming with sexual harassment allegations, he decided to step down from all current projects. Funny that.
Born 9 April 1937 (Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England)
TV presenter, best known as part of the immortal 1960s line up on 'Blue Peter' with John Noakes and Peter Purves. Also presented 'The Money Programme'.
Born 11 February 1932 (Clay Cross, Derbyshire, England)
Labour MP, the self-styled "Beast of Bolsover". Firebrand maverick of Parliament, one of the few MPs to actually speak his mind, no matter how much trouble it gets him in.
X-Factor novelty act and former male stripper, had a #1 with "It's Chico Time" in 2006. Also from the town in the UK most associated with suicides, for what it's worth.
Actress who started out on stage with the likes of Laurence Olivier, before making the transition to the big screen and appearing in 'Death On The Nile' and 'A Room With A View', and more recently in the various Harry Potter adaptations.
Born 20 November 1939 (New York City, New York, USA)
One-half of 1960s counter-culture musical comedy act The Smothers Brothers. His son is a porn star who performs under the name Dick Smothers Jr. Nominative determinism, beautiful thing.
Born 21 June 1983 (Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA)
Former computer speicialist with the CIA and National Security Agency who leaked details of an extensive network of electronic mail and internet snooping by authorities in 2013. Now resident in Russia.
Brazilian samba singer, one of the country's most popular performers. Also the ex-wife of Garrincha - she was blamed for downturns in his form during his career.
Highly influential record producer who was responsible for some of the best-known pop music of the 1960s and '70s, including tracks by Gene Pitney, The Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, John Lennon
Bonkers mother of Sylvester Stallone who claims that she's a psychic, believes that dogs can predict the future, and tells fibs about her age (she was born in 1921, but she says 1934, which would have made her 12 when Sl
Actor, once an "Angry Young Man" of British cinema, now one of its respected elder statesmen. After his relationship to Jean Shrimpton dissolved, Stamp moved to India and became a Hindu hermit for some years, before returning to acting.
The "boy" David became leader of the Liberal Party in 1976 at the age of just 38. Formed a doomed alliance with the SDP (ask your father) in 1981 and was briefly leader of the merged Liberal Democrats before making way for Paddy Ashdown. Now in the House
Welsh Elvis lookalike who had a string of hits in the 1980s with 'This Ole House', 'Green Door', 'Oh Julie' and others. Well respected for once attacking Richard Madeley on live TV.
An institution in the US, yet barely known in the UK. Broadcaster, author, businesswoman & homemaking advocate just about sums her up, but she made all the UK headlines for the wrong reasons when she was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of an agenc
Past-his-prime rock star who pays young blondes to pretend to like him. Best-known hits include 'Maggie May', 'You Wear It Well' and the mildly sickening 'Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?'. Far superior, though, is the classic 'Stay With Me', which he co-wrote and r
In films as a boy, well known for his role in 'Kim'. More recently, he shot to fame towards a new audience and thus huge cult popularity as Al in 'Quantum Leap'.
Born 1 May 1937 (Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England)
Actress best known as Rita in 'Til Death Us Do Part' and recently as Mrs Hudson in 'Sherlock' and as the subject of one of the most infamous urban legends there is…
Comedian and actor, known for his double act with Steve Steen and as part of the improvisation team The Comedy Store Players. Now suffers from multiple sclerosis.