Last Word

Matthew Bannister on:The controversial Chief Inspector of Schools Sir Chris Woodhead who said he was paid to challenge "mediocrity, failure and complacency".The actor Patrick Macnee, best known for playing the suave John Steed in the Avengers. Dame Diana Rigg pays tribute.Dame Anne Warburton who was the UK's first woman ambassador.The Fleet Street sub-editor Vic Mayhew, who was as well known for his hard drinking antics as for his headlines.And the film composer James Horner who won two Oscars for his Titanic soundtrack.

Matthew Bannister onMorris Beckman - the East End Jewish activist who co-founded the 43 Group to fight against post-war British fascists.Ornette Coleman - the pioneering saxophonist who developed free jazz improvisation.Tanith Lee - the prolific science fiction author who also wrote episodes of the TV series Blake's 7.Süleyman Demirel - who was seven times Prime Minister and then President of Turkey.And the American tennis player Doris Hart - who won three Wimbledon titles in one day.

Andrea Catherwood on film star Christopher Lee, internationally famous for his villainous, on screen roles. Cookery writer and broadcasting pioneer Marguerite Patten, explorer Major 'Roy' Homard who made the first crossing of the Antarctic, German born band leader and purveyor of 'Happy Music' James Last and actor Ron Moody, best known for playing Fagin in Oliver.

Andrea Catherwood on Iraqi politician Tariq Aziz, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats Charles Kennedy; Oscar winning costume designer Julie Harris; flamboyant Australian property developer and entrepreneur Alan Bond and violinist Peter Cropper who founded the Lindsay Quartet.