Today’s birthdays

Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden is 92; the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, 1992-2002, 91; Adml Sir Simon Cassels, Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel, 1982-86, 90; Mr Barry Tuckwell, horn soloist and conductor, 87; the Rt Rev Dr Thomas Butler, Bishop of Southwark, 1998-2010, 78; Mr Alan Hunt, former diplomat, 77; Mr Des Wilson, author; public affairs adviser, 77; Mr Michael Rooney, painter, 74; Miss Elaine Paige, actress, singer and broadcaster, 70; Mr Ollie Campbell, former Ireland rugby player, 64; Prof Sir Christopher Snowden, President and Vice-chancellor of the University of Southampton, 62; Lord Drayson, businessman, politician and amateur racing driver, 58; Mr Bruce Oxenford, former Australia cricketer; ICC Umpire, 58; Ms Theresa Villiers, MP, 50; and Mr Matt Lucas, actor and writer, 44.

Today is the anniversary of the death of Stalin in 1953.