The British pop singer and lyricist Morrissey (he never uses his first name Stephen) has been a solo artist since he left the Smiths, one of the leading indie bands, more than 20 years ago. He has an adoring army of fans particularly in America though he stays on the edge of the celebrity world, despising most other artists and having a largely hate-hate relationship with the press. He believes that most other pop artists talk down to their fans who are “not simplistic”. He says: “I don’t perform. Only seals perform.” He told his American audience in Los Angeles, where he lives, that he thinks of President Bush is: “bad for the US, bad for the world”, and subsequently had a visit from the security services. He is topping the bill at the O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park on July 4. He refuses to play the fame game: “Most people play it because they have no talent.” He says: “The older I get the happier I feel and I don’t feel any nervousness about the dreaded looming years. The prospect of a shock of grey hair is really quite nice.” Morrissey is 49 today. RGT.

Kenny Ball, trumpeter, 77; Cheryl Campbell, actress, 59; Sir Menzies Campbell, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, 67; Professor Stephen Frowen, economist, 85; Desmond Hawkins, President, Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 1989-1993, 85; Professor Sir William Hawthorne, Master of Churchill College, Cambridge, 1968-83, 95; Anthony Holden, writer, 61; Viscount Marchwood, chairman, Moët Hennessy UK, 1997-2004, 72; Professor C.A.B. Peacocke, philosopher, 58; D.A. Raeburn, Headmaster, Whitgift School, Croydon, 1970-91, 81; Betty Williams, joint Nobel peace laureate 1976, 65; Ernest Wistrich, vice-president, European Movement, 85.