PROFILES

Name: Philip Glenister
Best Known For: Playing gruff copper Gene Hunt in Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes Early Life: Philip Glenister was born February 10, 1963, in London. Showbusiness was in his blood from an early age, especially as his dad, John, is a TV director and his elder brother Robert is an actor (currently starring in Hustle). He went to Hatch End Comprehensive School, worked as a film publicist, and later studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama for three years, before appearing in 1990 stage play Mad Forest. His first professional role was as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at the Lyceum Edinburgh. He went on to star in Jonathan Harvey's acclaimed play Beautiful Thing at the Bush Theatre in London.
Career: On TV he honed his craft in Minder, Love Hurts, True Love, The Perfect Blue and Sharpe. However, it was roles in Clocking Off, The Hunt, State of Play and Island at War that boosted his profile. On the big screen he appeared in ID, Calendar Girls and Kingdom of Heaven. It was award-winning BBC dramas Life on Mars and follow up Ashes to Ashes that turned him into a cult hero. He's currently playing American vampire hunter Rupert Galvin in ITV1's Demons. He's also one of the brains behind nostalgia book Things Ain't What They Used to Be.
Love Life: Has been married to actress Beth Goddard since 2006. They have two children, Charlotte and Millie.
Don't Mention: EastEnders. He's not a huge fan of the soap and thinks it takes itself too seriously.
Quote: "The celebrity stuff really isn't me. I'm interested in the work: good writing, getting the part and the character right, pleasing the audience."


Name: Sean Connery
Image: The world's sexiest pensioner
Best Known For: Being the first big-screen James Bond Early Life: Born Thomas Sean Connery on August 25, 1930, in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh. His first jobs were as a milkman and coffin polisher before joining the Navy at 16, where he had two tattoos etched on his right arm. He was forced to leave after developing a stomach ulcer. At 19, he made ends meet as an artist's model at Edinburgh's School of Art. In a Mr Universe competition two years later, he finished third in the tall man's section.
Career: While still a bodybuilder, he was offered the chance to appear in West End production South Pacific, which kick-started his acting career. His film debut was in 1955's Lilacs in the Spring, but he didn't become a major star until he appeared as Bond in 1962's Dr No. It remains his most famous role, despite hits including The Man Who Would Be King, Rising Sun, A Bridge Too Far, Time Bandits, Highlander, The Rock, Entrapment, and most recently, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Untouchables in 1987. He is now officially retired from acting, and turned down the chance to appear in the recent Indiana Jones movie.
Love Life: An acrimonious divorce from actress Diane Cilento in 1973 came after 12 years of marriage. Their son, Jason, also an actor, is the father of Connery's grandson Dashiell Quinn. Connery wed artist Micheline Roquebrune in 1975.
Don't Mention: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen director Stephen Norrington. They did not get on, and Connery has famously called the shoot "a nightmare".
Quote: "I never disliked Bond, as some have thought. Creating a character like that does take a certain craft. It's simply natural to seek other roles."


Name: Matt Smith
Best Known For: Being the next Doctor Who Early Life: Born Matthew Robert Smith on October 28, 1982, in Northampton. A promising footballer from a young age, he played for the youth teams at Northampton Town, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City. He looked set for a professional career until a back injury scuppered his chances. A teacher encouraged him to act, and although reluctant at first, he eventually joined the National Youth Theatre. He also studied drama and creative writing at the University of East Anglia.
Career: A role in a National Youth Theatre production landed him an agent. His first professional roles came in the plays Fresh Kills, opposite Christian Slater, and On the Shore of the Wide World, both before he graduated from university. He appeared with Slater again in Swimming with Sharks, and also featured in The History Boys. He was part of the Olivier Award-nominated cast of That Face. His TV roles include The Ruby in the Smoke, The Shadow in the North and Secret Diary of a Call Girl, all alongside ex-Doctor Who assistant Billie Piper. He also starred in political drama Party Animals, and was recently revealed as the 11th Doctor Who. He's the youngest actor to play the part.
Love Life: Doesn't discuss his private life much, although he admits to having met his current girlfriend on holiday in Brazil.
Don't Mention: The alleged betting scandal revealed after Smith was named as the next Doctor Who. Many bets were supposedly placed on him in the Northamptonshire area, despite him being an 80-1 outsider at the time. A BBC spokesperson later denied Smith or anyone he knew was involved in betting.
Quote: "Doctor Who has the iconic status of Robin Hood or Sherlock Holmes, and I'm taking that on. That's my responsibility and it's exciting. Nerveracking, but exciting."
Tonight: Moses Jones, BBC2, 9pm.
Everyone’s Favourite Neurotic
Tuesday, February 03
Name: Woody Allen
Image: Nerdy comedian
Best Known For: His comedy films
Early Life: Born Allan Stewart Konigsberg on December 1, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. His mother was a bookkeeper, his father an engraver and waiter. He has a younger sister. At 15 he began selling jokes to newspapers. Two years later, he adopted his stage name. On leaving school he enrolled at New York University, but dropped out after failing part of his film course. Instead, at 19, he began writing gags professionally for various comics.
Career: Allen grew tired of simply writing, and decided to try stand-up. He proved successful, and moved into films, both penning and appearing in What's New Pussycat? in 1965. Since then he's become one of the world's most prolific filmmakers, writing, directing and starring in such movies as Manhattan, Mighty Aphrodite and Everyone Says I Love You. He's been nominated for a Best Screenplay Oscar 13 times, winning for Annie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters. His latest film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, is released on Friday. Away from filmmaking, he plays clarinet in a jazz band and enjoys watching sport on TV.
Love Life: Divorced Harlene Rosen in 1959 and Louise Lasser in 1969. He is now wed to Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his former lover Mia Farrow. Has also famously dated Diane Keaton. He has five children, four of them adopted.
Don't Mention: The scandal surrounding the break-up of his relationship with Farrow, and subsequent marriage to Soon-Yi.
Quote: "My one regret in life is that I am not someone else."
Tonight: The Culture Show, BBC2, 10pm.
Fantasy Author Battles Cruel Illness
Wednesday, February 04
Name: Terry Pratchett
Image: Sharp-witted author
Best Known For: Writing the Discworld series Early Life: Terence David John Pratchett was born in Buckinghamshire in 1948 to David and Eileen. He developed an interest in astrology at an early age, and this led to his reading science fiction books. Pratchett published his first short story at the age of 13 in his school magazine, before joining the Bucks Free Press at 17.
Career: Pratchett got his big break while working as a reporter. During an interview with publisher Peter Bander van Duren, he mentioned his first novel, The Carpet People. It hit the shelves in 1971, and met with moderate success, but Pratchett stuck with journalism. In 1980, he became press officer for the Central Electricity Board, and the three years later, the first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was released. Pratchett gave up work in 1987 to devote himself to writing full-time, and has written more than 30 Discworld books, as well as countless others. Awarded an OBE in 1998, Pratchett received a knighthood in the 2009 honours list. In December 2007, he announced he had been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.
Love Life: Married wife Lyn in 1968. They have a daughter, Rhianna.
Don't Mention: The fantasy genre being "unregarded as a literary form".
Quote: "Fantasy isn't just about wizards and silly wands. It's about seeing the world from new directions."
Tonight: Terry Pratchett: Living with Alzheimer's, BBC2, 9pm.
Blonde Ambition
Thursday, February 05
Name: Melinda Messenger
Image: Bubbly blonde
Best Known For: Her Page Three days
Early Life: Born Melinda Jane Messenger on February 23, 1971, in Swindon, Wiltshire. Her father Terry, a retired WH Smith manager, supported her initial career as a Page Three girl. Her mother Avis did not, later condemning Melinda's "filthy pictures" and accusing her of pandering to the "perverted desires of men". A bright spark at school, she left with four A-levels, and worked in customer services before finding fame.
Career: After modelling for an advert for a local double glazing firm, she gave up her job and was quickly signed by the Daily Star. Days later, she had been poached by The Sun. At the height of the battle, the two papers published 42 pictures of her in one day. She worked on Eurotrash and The Jack Docherty Show until Five snapped her up for game show Fort Boyard. Appeared in the movies Virtual Sexuality and Mumbo Jumbo, and reported for Wish You Were Here? as well as BBC series 4x4. She has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, released a workout video, and hosted Loose Lips for LivingTV and various other shows for ITV. After the birth of second child, she suffered post-natal depression, and has since helped to raise public awareness of the condition. Current projects include Dancing on Ice and Cowboy Builders.
Love Life: Wed long-term love Wayne Roberts in a Buddhist ceremony in Bali. They have two sons, Morgan and Flynn, and a daughter, Evie. The pair had a trial separation last year but have now reunited.
Don't Mention: Pre-eclampsia, which could have killed her during her pregnancy.
Quote: On losing the weight she gained while carrying her third child: "I would catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror and decide 'Okay Melinda, it's time to exercise'."
Tonight: Cowboy Builders, Five, 8pm.
Keeping up the Pace
Friday, February 06
Name: Lee Pace
Image: Quirky actor
Best Known For: Playing Ned in Pushing Daisies
Early Life: Born in Oklahoma in 1979. His father worked in the oil business, and the family spent several years in Saudi Arabia, before moving to Houston, Texas. Lee discovered his love of acting at a young age, and briefly left high school to appear in a local theatre, but eventually returned so he could graduate. In 1997, he won a place to study drama at the prestigious Juilliard School, and continued to perform in Shakespearean productions.
Career: Following his graduation, Lee appeared in several off-Broadway plays, but really came to the critics' attention in 2003, when he played a transgendered woman in the TV film Soldier's Girl, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. He followed this up with appearances in the TV series Wonderfalls and the movies The White Countess, Infamous, The Fall and The Good Shepherd before landing the lead role in the offbeat TV comedy drama Pushing Daisies, which picked up a cult following, and an Emmy nomination for Lee. He will soon be seen in the movie Possession alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Love Life: Likes to keep his private life just that.
Don't Mention: The decision to axe Pushing Daisies during its second series - although there are rumours it could be resurrected as a film.
Quote: On an early appearance in a TV advert: "You can only see half of me, but it paid well. Thank God for commercials."
Tonight: Pushing Daisies, ITV1, 10pm.