ON THIS DAY IN 2026:
Of note on this day in 2026, was that the song Rein Me In, by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, officially entered the record books. It reached its 16th straight week at No 1 in the UK singles chart, making it the longest-running No 1 single by a British act in UK chart history. The duet overtook a 32-year record set by the 15-week run of the Wet Wet Wet hit, Love Is All Around, released in 1994. Rein Me In is now tied with the 1991 Bryan Adams hit, (Everything I Do) I Do It For You, as the joint second-longest-running No 1 of all time in the UK. The kingpin is Frankie Laine who, in 1953, set an 18-week record with his hit, I Believe.
Actor Vin Diesel (pictured) turns 59 today while actress Kristen Bell turns 46 and singer MIA (remember Paper Planes?) turns 51. Actor Chase Crawford, of TV’s Gossip Girl, turns 41 today.
Actress and 2000 Miss World, Priyanka Chopra, turns 44 today, while Richard Branson turns 76 and James Brolin, actor husband of Barbra Streisand, turns 86. Singer Martha Reeves (of Martha and The Vandellas) turns 85 today.
Nelson Mandela was also born on this day in 1918. He died in 2013, aged 95.
American comedian Bob Newhart died on this day in 2024, aged 94. The Chicago legend – noted for his droll, deadpan humour – was a former accountant who became an overnight sensation with the release of a 1960 live comedy album, then starred in the hit sitcoms The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart.
Singers Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown wed on this day in 1992. She was 28 and he was 23. Still talking music… the Billy Joel album, Glass Houses, topped the chart on this day in 1980.
The Ricky Martin hip-swiveller, Livin’ La Vida Loca, was topping the UK singles chart on this day in 1999. It spent three weeks crowning the chart. Just saying…
.....SoSuterBill..... 