CHAMPION OF ARTS v LEFTIE SINGER

LORD MELVYN BRAGG, 78

BORN: Wigton, Cumbria

PARENTS: Father a mechanic, mother a tailor

EDUCATION: Head boy at comprehensive The Nelson Thomlinson School before studying modern history at Wadham College, Oxford

FAMOUS FOR: Arts broadcaster who forged his reputation as editor and presenter of ITV’s long-running South Bank Show

BILLY BRAGG, 60

BORN: Barking, Essex

PARENTS: Son of an assistant sales manager to a cap maker and milliner

EDUCATION: Failed his eleven-plus and went to Park Modern Secondary School

FAMOUS FOR: His socialist leanings. Played benefit concerts during the 1984-85 miners’ strike and tried to engage young voters in the Red Wedge tour of 1985