Birthdays

Professor Chinua Achebe, novelist, poet and educationalist, 63; Mr Peter Ainsworth MP, 37; Mr Michael Billington, author and broadcaster, 54; Miss Lisa Bonet, actress, 26; Mr Frank Bruno, boxer, 32; Mr Willie Carson, jockey, 51; Mr Tommie Connor, songwriter, 89; Mr Tony de Leeuw, composer, 67; Mr John Hanson, Director- General, British Council, 55; Sir Colin Marshall, chairman, British Airways, 60; Miss Joanna Pettet, actress, 49; Mr Griff Rhys Jones, actor and writer, 40; Sir Giles Shaw MP, 62; Mr John Stenhouse, former insurance broker, 85; Canon Herbert Stuart, Canon Emeritus, Lincoln Cathedral, 67; Sir Edward Tomkins, former ambassador, 78; Sir Magdi Yacoub, cardiothoracic surgeon, 58; Professor Michael Zander, Professor of Law, London School of Economics, 61.