The former Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington declares: “I don’t think at my age you should celebrate birthdays — you tend to cock them up, but I’m enjoying life, Lord yes, I have a farm and a garden and I’m very happy.” He has been following the Diamond Jubilee avidly and is full of admiration for the Queen. “She is phenomenal and I hope she realises how much she is appreciated.” RGT
Birthdays today
Sara Banerji, writer, 80; Carl Barât, singer and guitarist, 34; Sandra Bernhard, comedian, 57; David Blunkett, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 2005, 65; Björn Borg, tennis player, 56; Paul Esswood, countertenor, 70; Mike Gatting, cricketer, 55; Jason Isaacs, actor, 49; Josie Lawrence, actress, 53; Willie John McBride, rugby player, 72; Sir Douglas Morpeth, chairman, Clerical, Medical and General Life Assurance Society, 1978-94, 88; Marion Mould, showjumper, 65; Sir Bryan Nicholson, chairman, Financial Reporting Council, 2001–05 80; Ross Noble, comedian, 36; Jamie Palumbo, founder, Ministry of Sound, 49; Lindsay Posner, theatre director, 53; Paul Spicer, composer and conductor, 60; Frank Tyson, cricketer, 82; Billie Whitelaw, actress, 80.