Bell Labs pioneer in optical communication, co-invented the modified chemical vapor deposition process in 1974, and high-purity "sol-gel" overcladding for optical fiber in the early 1980s. Unfortunately, dead since 2021 but unnoticed
Dentally challenged singer-songwriter who used to front the Pogues, and latterly the Popes (though recently he went back to the Pogues for a reunion tour). Constantly rumoured to be on the brink of death due to non-stop drinking, smoking and drug-taking.
Oddball Hollywood actress who has starred in countless films, such as 'Some Came Running' (1958), 'The Apartment' (1960), 'Sweet Charity' (1969) , 'Being There' (1979) and 'Postcards from the Edge' (1990). Pointlessly changed her name from Shirley MacLean
King of cloud rap, his 2016 album "Stoney" broke "Thriller"'s 36-year record for longest time spent on the US R&B charts. Gets in a lot of drunk vehicle accidents, hence his appearance here.
one of the founders of the American rock and roll group Sha Na Na. He performed with Sha Na Na at the original Woodstock Festival and in the movie Grease
Former beauty queen, lavish-living, obsessive shoe-collector and widow of former Filipino president Ferdinand Marcos. After his death, she was acquitted of embezzlement in the US, but convicted of the crime of 'graft', whatever that is, in the Philippine
Actress, singer and comedienne. Broke through in the 1960s with "That Was The Week That Was", moved to the US later on and had a lengthy career on Broadway and in sitcoms.
Farmer from Norfolk who was convicted of the manslaughter of an intruder in 2000, which caused a media uproar over the issue of defending one's own property. Born 1944.
Former tennis player reached a career high in world rankings of 48 and reached Wimbledon quarter finals once where he lost to Pete Sampras (no shame in that)
French writer and paedophile. Has been nonchalantly open about his horrors since the 80s but evades justice due to longtime protection by the French literary world.
Big-haired guitarist, both with Queen and as a solo artist. Virtually every song he's ever done has a guitar riff from him in. Sometimes it works, often it fails miserably, but credit for perseverance.
Pioneering blues artist who encouraged the likes of Eric Clapton and Fleetwood Mac in the "Blues Boom" of the late 60s. Perhaps the notable Rock musician to come out of Macclesfield after Ian Curtis...
Born 16 August 1939 (Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies)
Recently-retired ITN newsreader. Once reckoned by Viz comic to be the news anchorman most able to take his beer, in complete contrast to the lightweight Nicholas Witchell.
The youngest human ever to give birth, delivering a healthy baby boy at the amazing age of 5 years and 7 months in May 1939. Possibly dead, pick at your own risk!
Born 19 September 1940 (Los Angeles, California, USA)
Singer with the Righteous Brothers before teaming up with Jennifer Warnes with 'I'm Having The Time of My Life', made famous by the hit film 'Dirty Dancing' in 1987.
Born 21 September 1965 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA)
Dance instructor and star of the reality show "Dance Moms". Recently served time in prison for bankruptcy fraud and seemingly has a number of severe health issues.
Born in Gillingham, Kent, England (exact date unknown)
Senior BBC sound engineer, who worked on 'Quatermass and the Pit', 'The Two Ronnies' and 'Doctor Who', among many other TV and radio programmes. Born 1936.
Daughter of Judy Garland, and moderately successful singer/stage actress in her own right. Has suffered from ill health in recent years as a result of drug abuse, and has been a regular visitor to rehab clinics.
American former professional baseball third baseman who played four seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1998 to 2001, with the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos
Born 12 March 1943 (Kalinovik, Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Leader of the Bosnian Serb Army during the 1992-95 war. Responsible for the massacre of 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica in July 1995 - the worst atrocity in Europe since WWII.
Born 27 February 1934 (Lawton, Oklahoma, United States)
Novelist, short story writer, essayist, and poet. His novel House Made of Dawn was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1969, and is considered the first major work of the Native American Renaissance.
Born 3 December 1931 (Montezuma County, Colorado, USA)
Husky-voiced singer and actress. Frequently appeared as a judge on 'The Gong Show', but was banned from it after exposing her breasts on national TV. Not to be confused with the long-deceased banker whose name was the source of her "Jaye P" nickname.
Experimental psychologist with a focus on education. Best known for co-founding the Children's Television Workshop, and by proxy co-creating 'Sesame Street'.
Born 13 May 1958 (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia)
Climate change-denying former Prime Minister of Australia. Months after he was swept out of office in 2022, he was censured by Parliament over a scandal where he secretly held multiple ministerial positions while PM.
Andy Warhol-aligned film director whose usage of Warhol superstar Holly Woodlawn made him one of the first to cast a transgender actress in starring roles.
Bespectacled Greek crooner and European Parliament member, who has recorded over 1500 songs in 15 languages, selling 250 million records in the process, which makes her arguably the most successful female singer ever.
Comedian and actor ("Clue", "Arrested Development", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch") who always seemed more comfortable playing guitar and painting than trying to be a A-list star.
Born 11 March 1931 (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
American media tycoon who used to be Australian, but cynically switched nationalities for business purposes. Diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000. The "Dirty Digger" now finds his media empire in retreat after a series of revelations regarding phone-hac
Veteran radio DJ - one of Radio 1's original presenters when it started up in 1967. Had previously worked for Radio Luxembourg, as indeed they all seemed to do in those days.
Uber-rich co-founder of PayPal and current bigwig with SpaceX and Tesla. Seemingly getting too into his role as a comic strip evil billionaire in recent years.