Birthdays

TODAY: Sir David Attenborough, broadcaster and naturalist, 73; Mrs Pat Barker, novelist, 56; Mr Peter Benchley, writer, 59; Lord Blyth of Rowington, chief executive and deputy chairman, Boots Company, 59; Mr Jack Charlton, football manager, 64; Sir Ian Denholm, former chairman, J. & J. Denholm, 72; Miss Viviana Durante, ballerina, 32; Viscount Falkland, former chief executive, C.T. Bowring (Trading) Holdings, 64; Mr Gary Glitter, rock performer, 55; Miss Heather Harper, soprano, Director of Singing Studies, Britten-Pears School, Aldeburgh, 69; Lord Hoffmann, a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, 65; Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle, a former Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, 74; Mr David Kendall, chairman, Ruberoid, 64; Lord Lamont of Lerwick, former Chancellor of the Exchequer, 57; The Right Rev Graham Leonard, former Bishop of London, 78; Dame Felicity Lott, operatic soprano, 52; Mr John Lyles, Lord-Lieutenant for West Yorkshire, 70; Mrs Rosemary McKenna MP, 58; Lord Murton of Lindisfarne, 85; Vice-Admiral Sir Neville Purvis, Director-General, British Safety Council, 63; Dr John Reid MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, 51; Mr Alastair Service, writer, publisher, campaigner and chairman, Wiltshire Health Authority, 66; Air Marshal Sir Michael Simmons, Secretary, Council of Justice for Animals and Humane Slaughter Association, 62; Sir Ronald Waterhouse, former High Court judge, 73; Sir Philip Wilkinson, former deputy chairman, National Westminster Bank, 72.

TOMORROW: Mr Richard Adams, writer, 79; Mr Alan Bennett, actor and playwright, 65; Miss Candice Bergen, actress, 53; The Right Rev Cyril Bowles, assistant Bishop, diocese of Gloucester, 83; Miss Sheila Burrell, actress, 77; Dr Vincent Cable MP, 56; Miss Nina Campbell, interior designer, 54; Dr John Cook, Principal, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Foundation of St Catharine's at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park, 59; Lord Cooke of Thorndon, former President, New Zealand Court of Appeal, 73; Mr Terry Downes, boxer, 63; Mr Albert Finney, actor and director, 63; Mr Carlo Maria Giulini, conductor, 85; Mr Keith Haskell, ambassador to Brazil, 60; Vice-Admiral Sir John Hayes, 86; Sir Geoffrey Holland, Vice-Chancellor, Exeter University, 61; Miss Glenda Jackson MP, Minister for Transport in London, 63; Mr Billy Joel, singer, 50; Mr Matthew Kelly, broadcaster, 49; Miss Ruth Kelly MP, 31; Sir Francis Kennedy, former diplomat, 73; General Sir Peter Leng, 74; Lord Lloyd of Berwick, a former Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, 70; Mr Gavin Lyall, writer, 67; Sir John McDermott, a Lord Justice of Appeal, Northern Ireland, 72; Miss Geraldine McEwan, actress, 67; Professor Alistair MacFarlane, former Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Heriot-Watt University, 68; Mr Brian McMaster, Director, Edinburgh Festival, 56; Sir Philip Mansfield, former diplomat, 73; Dr Roy Massey, organist and Master of the Choristers, Hereford Cathedral, 65; Mr William Olner MP, 57; Sir David Plastow, former chairman, Medical Research Council, 67; Mr John Robertson, former deputy chairman, Barclays de Zoete Wedd, 65; Professor Alan Ryan, Warden of New College, Oxford, 59; Mr Patrick Ryecart, actor, 47; Mr Vernon Sankey, chief executive, Reckitt and Colman, 50; Mr Malcolm Savidge MP, 53; Miss Joan Sims, actress, 69; Admiral Sir Victor Smith, 86; Miss Claire Ward MP, 27; Mr Graham Ward, chairman, World Utilities Group, Price Waterhouse, 47; Sir Nicholas Wilson, High Court judge, 54.