I hope you enjoyed our Christmas Quiz challenge – here are the answers
Christmas Eve
- Puerto Rican singer born in 1971, sold 70 million records world-wide, one of best-selling Latino artists of all time. Best known for “Livin’ la vida loca” in 1999.
Ricky Martin
- Born in London in 1969 to Polish Jewish immigrants. MP for Doncaster North since 2005, currently Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
Ed Miliband
- Born in Bedford in 1960, co-host of quiz show Countdown from 1982 to 2008. Currently to be seen advertising Sun Life Equity Release plans on TV.
Carol Vorderman
- Former One Direction boy band member, born in Doncaster in 1991. Talented footballer, has appeared in celebrity fund-raising matches such as SoccerAid and was signed as non-contract player by Doncaster Rovers in 2013.
Louis Tomlinson
- Business magnate, aviator, engineer, film director and philanthropist born in Texas in 1905. Became a recluse in later life. Created his own aircraft company in 1932 which built Hercules H-4, nicknamed the Spruce Goose, world’s biggest flying boat which flew only once in 1947. James Bond film Diamonds are Forever featured the character of Willard Whyte, a reclusive billionaire with his own aerospace company.
Howard Hughes
- Born Ian Kilminster in Stoke in 1945. World famous rock-star singer/bass player with British heavy rock band, famed for his gravelly vocals and mutton-chop whiskers. Died in 2015 in LA. Better known as who?
Lemmy
- American immunologist born in 1940 in New York. Director of US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. Regular sparring partner of Donald Trump.
Anthony Fauci
- Born in Rotherham in 1944, died August 2018. One half of slapstick children’s entertainment duo with his brother Paul, with catch phrase “to me, to you.” His funeral service was held at the New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United.
Barry Chuckle (born Elliott)
- Comedian and actress born in Ealing in 1963 & died in 2016. Starred in The Fast Show, The Mrs Merton show and the Royle Family. Former wife of Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook.
Caroline Aherne
Christmas Day
- Actor born in 1899, famous for roles in Casablanca & The Maltese Falcon.
Humphrey Bogart
- Born in 1971, he played the part of Major Talbot Pepineau in the Canadian Broadcasting Company TV film The Great War. Subsequently began a career in politics, leading to twice being elected as his country’s Prime Minister.
Justin Trudeau
- Singer and now political activist born in 1954 in Aberdeen. Named Best British Female Artist at Brit Awards a record 6 times.
Annie Lennox
- Born in Copenhagen in 1968, one time supermodel, photographer & clothing designer. Former model for Victoria’s Secret lingerie brand. Dated the INXS frontman Michael Hutchence for 5 years. Main residence is now in Manhattan, where she apparently regularly drives her Morris Minor, the only type of car she has ever owned.
Helena Christensen
- Born in Middlesbrough in 1957, joined Royal Navy aged 16 before becoming professional footballer. Clubs include Portsmouth, Swindon, Brentford, Luton Town, Leeds, Sheffield United & Middlesbrough. Now works as pundit for Sky Sports.
Chris Kamara
- Prolific run scorer for England cricket team, born in Gloucester in 1984. Part-time farmer.
Alastair Cook
- Film producer born in Bombay in 1936. In partnership with James Ivory won 6 Academy awards, including Best Picture for Howards End and A Room with a View.
Ismail Merchant
- Toothless band leader/singer born in 1957 in Tunbridge Wells. Won literature scholarship to Westminster School before being expelled for drug possession. Fell and broke his hip in 2015, now often seen using a wheelchair, especially at Christmas.
Shane MacGowan
- Mathematician, physicist, astronomer, theologian born in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire in 1642. Knighted in 1705 by Queen Anne, buried in Westminster Abbey.
Sir Isaac Newton
- Real name Maurice James Cole, born in 1944 near Bootle, Merseyside. Comedian, disc jockey & presenter with own TV shows on Thames TV & BBC, created character of Sid Snot. Supporter of Conservative Party, famously shouted “Let’s bomb Russia” at Young Conservatives meeting during 1993 election campaign. Diagnosed with HIV in 1989 and died in 1995. Better known as?
Kenny Everett
- Disgraced former radio and TV presenter, born in 1929 in Ashton-under-Lyne. Presented Look North on BBC, was original host of A Question of Sport, also presented light entertainment and quiz shows. Verbose match summariser on BBC TV & radio football reports, claimed to have originated the phrase “The Beautiful Game” in 1958 to describe football.
Stuart Hall
Boxing Day
- British actor born in Acton in 1986. Made acting debut in lead role of Albert Narracott in War Horse at National Theatre. Rose to greater prominence in 2011 with major role in Game of Thrones series. Produced and starred in BBC drama Gunpowder in 2017, based around story of his ancestor Robert Catesby, one of the Gunpowder Plotters.
Kit Harrington
- Born in 1893 and leader of his country from 1943 until his death in 1976. Only left his country twice, both times for state visits to Soviet Union. Credited for uniting his country, raising its standing in the world and improving lives of citizens, but also loathed for causing death of millions of others. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was criticized for quoting him in House of Commons in 2015.
Mao Tse-Tung
- Born in New York in 1939. Record producer, musician & songwriter, best known for Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals, Be my Baby by The Ronettes, & Imagine by John Lennon. Developed musical style known as Wall of sound. He is currently serving a 19 year jail sentence for second degree murder.
Phil Spector
- World Cup winning footballer born in Nice in 1986. Captained his national team for first time in 2010. Fined £50,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after being stopped in west London & found to be more than double the drink-driving limit.
Hugo Lloris
- British mathematician, engineer & inventor born in London in 1791. Created the “difference engine,” the world’s first mechanical computer, replica of which was built in 1991 using the original plans, and is displayed in the Science Museum. Known as the “father of the computer”.
Charles Babbage
