“My father fought behind Japanese lines in the second world war and it traumatised him. Everybody who knew him from before said he was the life and soul of the party - fun to be with - but after the war he was different.”

British and Irish singer-songwriter and musician, born in Argentina

Chris de Burgh is a British and Irish singer-songwriter and musician, born in Argentina. He emerged in the 1970s and became known for a career that moved from art rock toward more pop-oriented songs. He has had several top 40 singles in the UK, and two in the US. He is especially popular in other countries, including Norway and Brazil. His 1975 song "A Spaceman Came Travelling" became a well-known Christmas song, and "The Lady in Red" from 1986 reached number one in several countries. He has sold more than 45 million albums worldwide.