ON THIS DAY

1606: Guy Fawkes, chief conspirator in the Gunpowder Plot, was hung, drawn and quartered. 1788: Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart), the Young Pretender, died in Rome.

1910: Dr Crippen poisoned his wife, then cut her in small pieces and buried her remains in the cellar.

1943: Field Marshal Paulus surrendered the German 6th Army to the Russians at Stalingrad - the worst single defeat in German military history.

1956: AA Milne, English writer of children’s books, notably Winnie The Pooh, died in Hartfield, Sussex. 1983: Wearing seat belts in cars became compulsory in Great Britain.

BIRTHDAYS

Carol Channing, actress, 98; Philip Glass, composer, 82; Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, 81; Phil Manzanera, rock guitarist (Roxy Music), 68; John Lydon, rock singer (Johnny Rotten), 63; Anthony Lapaglia, actor, 60; Lloyd Cole, singer/songwriter, 58; Minnie Driver, pictured on facing page, actress,

49; Justin Timberlake, pop star/ actor, 38. QUOTES OF THE DAY

“It’s an amazing group of climbers, I’m especially looking forward to dancing up the mountain with Shirley Ballas. My whole family are beyond excited” – Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls, who is to climb Kilimanjaro with Strictly Come Dancing’s head judge and seven other celebrities to raise money for Comic Relief.

“I don’t diet in January. I don’t do Dry January. I enjoy a drink in moderation. I’m not a takeaway person! I find it easier to get going at home” – Former Great British Bake Off star Mary Berry, pictured left.

“Watching John, Paul, George and Ringo work together, creating now-classic songs from scratch, is not only fascinating - it’s funny, uplifting and surprisingly intimate” – Film director Sir Peter Jackson, who is to make a documentary on The Beatles.

“The easiest kind of relationship for me is with 10,000 people. The hardest is with one” – Singer Joan Baez.