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Famous for 15 Minutes Trivia Quiz

A bit of a British bias in this quiz. See how much you can recall about the people who hit the global headlines.

A multiple-choice quiz by jimpimslim1. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
jimpimslim1

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
327,813

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
445

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was the Liverpool-born schoolteacher who spent time in Khartoum prison in 2007 for naming a teddy bear, 'Muhammad'? Hint

Gillian Weir

Gillian Tett

Gillian Gibbons

Gillian Cross

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Question 2 of 10

2. What was the name of Beirut hostage John McCarthy's researcher girlfriend, who campaigned for five years to attain his release? Hint

Jill Singer

Jill George

Jill Morrell

Jill Dawson

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Question 3 of 10

3. Why did Marian Coyle hit the international headlines in 1975? Hint

First woman to escape from Holloway Jail in England

She was a female kidnapper

She had an affair with Prince Andrew

Won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland

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Question 4 of 10

4. Why did Erica Roe gain prominence in the eighties? Hint

She was a streaker

First female jockey to complete the Grand National

First female cox in the University Boat Race

Held hostage in Beirut in 1988

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Question 5 of 10

5. For what reason did John Humble dominate the British media in 1979? Hint

Wimbledon umpire famously abused by John MacEnroe

Failed puppet creation of Gerry Anderson

Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer

Climbed up Big Ben dressed as Batman

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Question 6 of 10

6. Why did Sally Hay come to the public's attention in 1983? Hint

She married Richard Burton

Jailed for being a seven time bigamist

She married Elton John

First ever female 'Formula One' driver

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Question 7 of 10

7. Back in 1992, John Bryan was splashed all over the newspapers. For which activity did he spring to celebrity status overnight? Hint

First Briton to win an Olympic gold medal in the pole vault

Streaked in front of Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Australia

British crown green bowling champion

Pictured sucking the Duchess of York's toe

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Question 8 of 10

8. Why did American Gussie Moran shoot to fame in 1949? Hint

Showed off her lace trimmed panties at Wimbledon

It was revealed that she had had an affair with Hitler

She was the first cook to appear on British television

At the tender age of sixteen she married Charlie Chaplin

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Question 9 of 10

9. Why did Jack Slipper make news around the globe in 1974? Hint

He failed to bring Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs back to England

He was the second man to run a sub 4 minute mile

He became the first black Lord Mayor of London

He was Lady Chatterly's Lover

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Question 10 of 10

10. Tony Bullimore's moment of fame came back in 1997. What event catapulted him into the public eye? Hint

He was punched by Roy Hattersley

He was the detective in the car when Princess Diana died

He went missing for five days in the Southern Ocean

He started the Cod War between Britain and Iceland

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the Liverpool-born schoolteacher who spent time in Khartoum prison in 2007 for naming a teddy bear, 'Muhammad'?

Answer: Gillian Gibbons

Gillian spent eight days behind bars whilst extremists called for her execution. Her 23 pupils at Unity High School in Khartoum had named the teddy bear 'Mohammed' in a classroom vote. In Sudanese law it is illegal to create any physical depiction of the Prophet and is deemed as blasphemous.

2. What was the name of Beirut hostage John McCarthy's researcher girlfriend, who campaigned for five years to attain his release?

Answer: Jill Morrell

John was released in 1991 after a successful campaign by 'Friends of John McCarthy' headed by Jill Morrell. The couple published a bestselling book called 'Some Other Rainbow' about their experiences.

3. Why did Marian Coyle hit the international headlines in 1975?

Answer: She was a female kidnapper

Along with accomplice Eddie Gallagher, she kidnapped Dutch industrialist Dr. Tiede Herrema. Coyle was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, of which she served nine years before being released. Dr Herrema was held hostage for 36 days in the Republic of Ireland, where the trauma ended when he was freed at the culmination of the Siege of Monasterevin.

4. Why did Erica Roe gain prominence in the eighties?

Answer: She was a streaker

Erica Roe hit the headlines in 1982 by streaking across the hallowed grass of Twickenham. During the England versus Australia rugby union international, the busty beauty ran topless in front of 60,000 spectators and millions of television viewers.

5. For what reason did John Humble dominate the British media in 1979?

Answer: Yorkshire Ripper hoaxer

Wearside Jack, as he was called before his real identity was discovered, taunted the British police by pretending to be the Yorkshire Ripper. His distinctive North East accent lead the police to discount any suspect who did not share the same pronunciation. Humble's interference allowed the real culprit, Peter Sutcliffe, who came from Bradford, to continue killing innocent women.

6. Why did Sally Hay come to the public's attention in 1983?

Answer: She married Richard Burton

Sally Hay met Richard Burton in 1982 when she was working as a production assistant on the film "Wagner". Burton who was playing the title role, fell for Sally and the couple got married in Las Vegas in 1983. They were still married in 1984 when Burton died.

7. Back in 1992, John Bryan was splashed all over the newspapers. For which activity did he spring to celebrity status overnight?

Answer: Pictured sucking the Duchess of York's toe

Texan financial advisor John Bryan was caught on camera sucking the Duchess of York's toe at a villa near St Tropez. Fergie lay on a sun lounger, oblivious at the time to the nearby prying paparazzi lenses capturing the scene. The Duke and Duchess had separated at the start of that year and divorced four years later.

8. Why did American Gussie Moran shoot to fame in 1949?

Answer: Showed off her lace trimmed panties at Wimbledon

Tennis star Gorgeous Gussie Moran, wearing a short dress, showed off her lace-trimmed knickers to the somewhat surprised spectators at Wimbledon that year. The offending garment was designed and stitched together by Teddy Tinling, a former English tennis player who had turned his hand to fashion designing.

In those bygone days, the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club had extremely stringent rules about the proper way to dress on court.

9. Why did Jack Slipper make news around the globe in 1974?

Answer: He failed to bring Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs back to England

Jack Slipper was sent to Rio de Janeiro to bring back Ronnie Biggs, at the time Britain's most wanted criminal. Having been tipped off by the Daily Express newspaper about Biggs's whereabouts, Slipper was thwarted by Brazilian bureaucracy.

10. Tony Bullimore's moment of fame came back in 1997. What event catapulted him into the public eye?

Answer: He went missing for five days in the Southern Ocean

English yachtsman Tony Bullimore, whilst competing in a single-handed round-the-world race, was reported missing for five days. He was rescued by the Australian Navy in the Southern Ocean 500 miles from Antarctica. His yacht had capsized and he was trapped inside with rapidly diminishing air supplies when his saviours found him.

Source: Author jimpimslim1

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Snowman before going online.
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