Moira Stuart, the popular news reader, had her contract with BBC News terminated two years ago after more than 30 years. Her departure, allegedly for being “too old”, has not dented her popularity with viewers. Even her appearances as the public face of HM Revenue & Customs, gently but firmly urging us to get our tax returns in on time, seem to have enhanced her popularity. Moira Stuart is 60 today. RGT
Birthdays today
Sir Leonard Appleyard, Ambassador to Hungary, 1986-89, and vice-chairman, Barclays Capital 1998-2003, 71; Kina Lady Avebury, sociologist, 75; Dame Beulah Bewley, Emeritus Reader in Public Health Sciences, St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, 80; Dame Frances Campbell-Preston, Woman of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, 1965-2002, 91; Professor Dame Barbara Clayton, pathologist, 87; Jimmy Connors, tennis player and commentator, 57; Michael Hastings, playwright, 71; Victor Spinetti, actor and director, 76.