Today’s birthdays

Mr John Gale, theatre producer, is 93; Lord Brougham and Vaux,

a Deputy Speaker, House of Lords, 84; Sir Michael Davies, Clerk of the Parliaments, 1997-2003, 82; Dame Rose Tremain, novelist and playwright, 79; Donald Cameron of Lochiel, Lordlieutenant for Inverness, 2002-21, 76; Col Lord Shuttleworth, Lord-lieutenant for Lancashire, 74; Sir Peter Torry, former diplomat, 74; Mr Paul Gray, Chairman, HM Revenue and Customs, 2006-7, 74; Mr John Talbot, Chairman, English National Ballet, 2004-12, 73; Dr Sir Anthony Seldon,

Vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham, 2015-20; Master, Wellington College, 2006-15, 69; and Mr Alan Bishop, Chief Executive, Southbank Centre, 2009-17, 69.