大象传媒

Matthew Bannister on

Lord Ashley, who as the Labour MP Jack Ashley, overcame deafness to become a champion of disabled people's rights

Also, Levon Helm, the drummer and singer of The Band - who backed Bob Dylan and recorded acclaimed albums of their own.

Wendy Grant - the neuropathologist who came out of retirement to warn that Mad Cow Disease could affect humans

Charles Colson - special counsel to Richard Nixon - who carried out dirty tricks against the President's opponents, but later found God.

And Val May, the theatre director who established the reputation of the Bristol Old Vic.