The talk show host Jerry Springer, born in Hampstead and brought up in New York, where his parents fled from the Holocaust, continues to make waves in the UK with Jerry Springer — The Opera, the National Theatre production currently on nationwide tour. His TV and radio shows are still running in the US and he has recently signed a new long-term contract for more. However, guests are now warned that there is a “no on-screen violence” rule, but when the invitations to take part include questions such as: “Are you torn between two lovers and want to reveal your secret on the show?” and “Do you have a spicy one-night-stand story to tell?” it is little wonder that affrays have broken out. He is unrepentant and said recently: “I am proud to host the worst show in the history of television.” Springer was once Democratic Mayor of Cincinnati aged 33, and is still interested in politics. He keeps a distance between his personal life and his on-screen persona. “There’s no way I would ever appear as a participant on my show. I never watch it, I’m not interested in it”, he says. He refuses to discuss his private life, saying: “It would be disrespectful to the people I care about. You can’t treat them like your audience.” Jerry Springer is 62 today. RGT
Michael Attenborough, artistic director of the Almeida Theatre, 56; David Banks, Editor of the Daily Mirror, 1992-94, 58; Professor Derek Burke, Vice-Chancellor at the University of East Anglia, 1987-95, 76; Dr J. P. Clayton, Apothecary to HM Household at Windsor, 1965-86, 85; Margaret Collins, matron-in-chief of Queen Alexandra ‘s Royal Naval Nursing Service, 1980-83, 79; Gareth Davies, chairman of Glynwed International, 1986-98, 76; Rear-Admiral J. Phillip Edwards, emeritus fellow, Wadham College, Oxford, 79; Professor Janet Finch, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, 60; Baroness Flather, first ethnic minority councillor in the UK, 72; Dr D. G. Hessayon, horticultural and agricultural author, 78; Professor Lord Lewis of Newnham, Warden of Robinson College, Cambridge, 1975-2001, 78; Kim Novak, actress, 73; Lord Peyton of Yeovil, Minister for Transport Industries, DoE, 1970-74, 87; Lord Pym, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, 1982-83, 84; George Segal, actor, 72; Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber, author and politician, 82; Dr Donald Sykes, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, 1977-86, 76.