The Best of Times Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cary Grant

Cary Grant was born in Bristol, England as Archibald Leach; he changed his name and became a debonair leading man, specializing in romantic comedies. He was directed by Alfred Hitchcock on several occasions, including in 'To Catch a Thief' in 1955, where he starred with Grace Kelly, and 'North by Northwest' in 1959.

The 'Worst of Times' for him came in 1966, with the film 'Walk, Don't Run', which was a flop and led to his retirement at the age of 62. Connery and McGregor were both born in Scotland and Hopkins was born in Wales.

Answer: Paul McCartney

This song could also be cited as the cause of the 'Worst of Times', as it was one of the reasons Paul McCartney gave for the break-up of the band. Phil Spector added orchestration and a female choir to the original recording, which infuriated Paul. He called Spector's overdubbing 'intolerable interference' and it was one of six reasons given in a court of law for dissolving the Beatles' partnership. Paul went on to form a new band, Wings, and had many hits with them and as a solo artist.

He was knighted in 1997 for services to music and is now Sir Paul McCartney.

Answer: The Hurt Locker

Kathryn became the first woman to win the best director prize for her film about a bomb disposal team in the Iraq war. The film was released in 2009, and shows the squad at work and the tensions between the members as they cope with their dangerous work and the Iraquis with whom they come into contact.

It was the 'Worst of Times' for James Cameron, who is Kathryn's ex-husband. Having been nominated for the same Oscar, he lost out with 'Avatar'.

Answer: Lou Diamond Phillips

The show is based around a group of celebrities left in a jungle camp, who had to undergo various trials to win food and privileges for the group. The USA Series two was shown by NBC and set in Costa Rica. All the celebrities given as options appeared in this series. Lou Diamond Phillips has starred in many films, including 'La Bamba' (1987) and 'Young Guns' (1998).

He has also appeared on Broadway, playing the king in 'The King & I' in 1997. The 'Worst of Times' would apply to anyone who took part in 'I'm a Celebrity', and had to undergo the challenges, such as eating bugs.

Answer: Sunday Rose

Nicole married her second husband, Keith Urban, in June 2006 and Sunday Rose was born on 7 July 2008. The other names I made up, but celebrities choose such odd names that I wouldn't be surprised to see a child with one of these in the future. Although she was brought up in Australia, Nicole was born in Honolulu.

She has starred in many successful films, including 'To Die For' (1995) and 'The Others' (2001). The 'Worst of Times' for Nicole could be the break-up of her first marriage to Tom Cruise, although maybe it was getting married to him in the first place.

Answer: Richard Burton

This was the date of her first marriage to Burton, who became her fifth (and sixth) husband. The 'Worst of Times' were her divorces, from Nicky Hilton in 1951, Michael Wilding in 1957, from Eddie Fisher in 1964, Burton in 1974 and 1976, John Warner in 1982 and Larry Fortensky in 1996.

Her third husband was Mike Todd, who died in an aeroplane crash in 1958. Elizabeth Taylor is probably best remembered for her starring role in 'Cleopatra' (1963) and for meeting Richard Burton on the set of this film.

Answer: Marlene Dietrich

Marlene starred as 'Lola Lola', and the film featured one of her best known songs 'Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)'. She was born in Berlin, Germany in 1901 and became an American citizen in 1939, at the onset of the second World War. Her other well known song was 'Lilli Marlene'.

The 'Worst of Times' came in 1975, when she suffered a broken leg and then lost her husband, who died from cancer in 1976. The other actresses were all prominent in the 1930s.

Answer: Phantom of the Opera

The show told the story of Christine, Raoul and the Phantom ten years on from the original show and premiered at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End. It received mixed reviews from the critics. Andrew has written many successful musicals, many in collaboration with Tim Rice, including the other answer options.

He was created a life peer in 1997 and is officially Baron Lloyd-Webber. The 'Worst of Times' for Andrew included the diagnosis of prostate cancer in October 2009. Luckily, it was caught in its early stages.

Answer: Margot Fonteyn

All these ladies have been awarded this highest title - Markova in 1933, Ulanova in 1944 and Alonso in 1959. Fonteyn is best remembered for her partnership with Rudolph Nureyev between 1962 and 1979, when she retired. They first danced together in 'Giselle', following Nureyev's defection from Russia and also appeared in a film version of 'Swan Lake' (1967).

The 'Worst of Times' for her would be the shooting of her husband, Roberto Arias, in 1964 which left him a paraplegic.

Answer: Dudley Moore

Dudley Moore met Peter Cook when appearing in 'Beyond the Fringe', an early satirical show. He moved to the USA and appeared in many successful films, including '10' (1979) and 'Arthur' (1981). The 'sex thimble' tag referred to his diminutive height, which did not detract from his romantic successes. John Cleese was one of the 'Monty Python' team and Hugh Laurie partnered Stephen Fry. Vic Reeves appeared most frequently with Bob Mortimer.

The 'Worst of Times' for Dudley was being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy in 1999 which led to his death, from pneumonia, in 2002.