President of Georgia since 2004 and in common with some Eastern European leaders came to power on a tide of optimism before degenerating into a sort of authoritarian dictatorship.
Former Catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1967 to 1980 (except for 1968 in the minors and 1977 for the 'A's). He was due to be on the plane that crashed killing Roberto Clemente, and helped with the recovery mission.
Born 15 October 1949 (Théniet El Had, Tissemsilt, French Algeria)
Algerian novelist; outspoken about the spread of Islamic extremism in Algeria, he was arrested in 2024 for "undermining national unity". In December he was transferred to hospital because of poor health.
Prolific film actress known for 'Thelma & Louise', 'Bull Durham', and an Oscar-winning role in 'Dead Man Walking', among many other films. Also a longtime political activist.
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...
Actress - played Sybil Fawlty in 'Fawlty Towers' and went on to appear in 'After Henry' and various Tesco adverts. Wife of Timothy West, and frankly the pair of insufferable Bible-bashers deserve each other.
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 25 March 1934 (Petersdorf, Thuringia, Germany)
He is a German and Canadian citizen, an industrialist, lobbyist, fundraiser, arms dealer, businessman, and convicted criminal. He was extradited from Canada to Germany in August 2009, and convicted of tax evasion.
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!
Founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, the apparent anti-Christ if you're an antivaxxer conspiracy theorist, everyone else doesn't really know or care who he is.
Singer and actress, starred as Jasmine in the live Disny film Aladdin, and Pink ranger in the Power Rangers movie. Nothing in the way of chart success (one single reached number 73) but she has featured on Disney albums.
American politician and businessman who has served as the U.S. representative for Georgia's 13th congressional district since 2003.Whilst standing for election in 2024 he said “Thank God I’m in good health, moving and doing the people’s work,”
American-born but British-based folk singer, among those leftist entertainment figures targeted by McCarthyism who utilised a quick-footed plan to marry a Scottish folkie to stay out of the US!
A Russian former politician who served as the president of Tatarstan from 1991 to 2010. (Do not worry - we have never heard of it either) He was re-elected president in 1996, 2001, and 2005.
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 24 February 1951 (St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada)
Film and Television actor and director; appeared in features The Osterman Weekend and The Color of Money, and on TV in many US television shows. Directed her first feature film in 2020, afer many TV episodes and TV moveirs.
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 (
Founder of the Japanese Red Army, an offshoot of the Red Army Faction. Spent 16 years in prison, disbanding the JRA while awaiting trial. She was released in 2022. She had her colon and intestine removed after a cancer diagnosis in 2008.
A Russian actor, he made his film debut in 1960, and soon became a popular comedian in Russia. His filmography includes over 100 supporting and cameo roles, he also played over 100 roles on stage
German-born CIA operations leader in Berlin during the early Cold War. Left the CIA to continue the family wine business and helped popularize the Blue Nun wine.
Successful singer-songwriter who first found fame in the 1960s with singing partner Art Garfunkel before continuing with a solo career of similar distinction.
Leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the leader of the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades. He succeeeded his brother Yahya Sinwar (See DDP 2024) in both roles as is himself a potential assassination target.
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.
Teacher-turned-comedian who along with fellow comedian David Baddiel and the Lightning Seeds had a number one hit single in 1996, with 'Three Lions'. Jules Rimet is still gleaming as of 2011...
British singer-songwriter, rose to stardom, being featured on 'Latch' by Disclosure. Later had his own hits, including 'Stay With Me' and 'I'm Not The Only One'.
Born 25 September 1968 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
Early success as rapper The Fresh Prince, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, lead to a TV role basically playing himself, and numerous film roles followed, including the Oscar win for Richard Williams in King Richard. (Relax, I've kept her name out my mouth)
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.
Former Cricketer, mainly with Sussex. Played 49 tests. His test career ended when he joined Kerry Packer's World Series. A reputation as a bit of a rebel, but many of the suggestions he was making in the 80's have subsequently been implemented.
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
A former speechwriter for Presidents Nixon and Ford before having a different career as an actor. Best known for his monotone appearance in 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off'.
Born 4 July 1938 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
American retired sportscaster, best known as the radio play-by-play announcer of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball from 1989 to 2024. He called 5,060 consecutive Yankees games from 1989 to 2019.
US singer and actress whose career peaked in the late 50s and early 60s with her starring role in 'Hawaiian Eye' and her hit song "Sixteen Reasons". I used to mix her up with Connie Francis before realising Francis had the more substantive music career…
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
Double-Oscar winning actress (La La Land, Poor Things) with a shedload of others alongside. She also collaborated on the formation of the Time's Up (no relation) initiative to protect women from sexual harrassment and discrimination.
Best known for her role in 1992's 'Basic Instinct', though one should not overlook that stand-out performance in 'Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol'. She suffered a brain aneurysm in 2001, the same year that her husband Phil Bronstein (editor of the Sa
Current Prime minister of Norway.Politically centre left.He was once caught up in a scandal as a government minister for accepting expensive rugs from Afghan politicians.
A Soviet and Russian stage and film actor. He has a whole plethora awards that he has won. Indeed, he has won more awards than he has appeared in films. I suspect one of the awards is the Russian equivalent of a Blue Peter badge.
Former left back who spent his 15 year playing career in Scotland, mostly for Dundee but one game for Dundee United, before becoming player-manager at Montrose, Created a number of sports centres in Dundee.
American transit airline pilot who successfully made an emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson River in New York, thus saving the lives of 155 passengers in January 2009.
Former footballer, who spent most of his career at Britol City; he was subsequently assistant manager to Joe jordan, then caretaker manager on Jordan's departure, after which he left the game and became a postman.
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.