Noel - not just for Christmas Quiz

Answer: Edmonds

Noel Edmonds began working for the BBC on Radio 1 in 1969, and succeeded Tony Blackburn as presenter of the breakfast time show in 1973. His first television appearances were on the pop music show 'Top of the Pops' before he branched out into other light entertainment shows such as 'Noel's House Party' and 'Telly Addicts'.

He may never be forgiven for inflicting the character of 'Mr Blobby' on us. Noel became the presenter of the British version of 'Deal or No Deal' in 2005.

Answer: Jimi Hendrix

Chas Chandler, the former bassist of the English group The Animals, became a band manager after the break up of the group in 1966. Chandler had seen Jimi Hendrix play during a trip to America, and brought him back to Britain where he added Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell on drums to form the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Redding left the band in 1969 and failed to find much success despite forming his own group, The Noel Redding Band.

He died in 2003 in Ireland, where he had lived for many years.

Answer: Ballet Shoes

Despite the name, Noel Streatfeild was female, with her full name being Mary Noel Streatfeild (and the unexpected spelling of her surname is also correct). 'Ballet Shoes' was her first children's book, and several of her later novels were renamed to capitalise on its success and create a 'shoe' themed series.

For example, the original title of 'Circus Shoes' was 'The Circus is Coming' when it was first published in 1938 and 'Skating Shoes' (1951) was called 'White Boots'. 'Ballet Shoes' was adapted for a television film in 2007 with Emma Watson, of 'Harry Potter' film fame, in a leading role.

The other books listed also date from 1936, with Ruth Sawyer being the author of 'Roller Skates', 'Pigeon Post' by Arthur Ransome and 'Laughing Gas' written by P. G. Wodehouse.

Answer: Peter, Paul and Mary

Noel Paul Stookey adopted his second name when he joined with Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers to form their group. Outside of performing he was always known as Noel, with interviews with Mary Travers recording her using this name when talking about him.

The trio released their first album, called Peter, Paul and Mary, in 1962 which included 'Lemon Tree' and 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone' as well as several tracks written, or part written, by Stookey. Singles success came with covers of Bob Dylan songs such as 'Blowin' in the Wind' in 1963. Mary Travers died in 2009, but Stookey and Yarrow continued performing as a duo.

Answer: Blanc

At last I can bring you a true 'fill in the Blanc' question. Don't all groan at once. Noel Blanc was trained by Mel with the intention that he take over voicing the Looney Tunes characters which Mel had brought to life for so many years. Although Noel did do some voice work, including Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam, he also spent time on directing and production work.

Answer: Oasis

The older of the two brothers in the band, Noel was the main songwriter of the band while Liam normally sang lead vocals. The band was very successful with its first album, 'Definitely Maybe' reaching the top of the UK album charts in 1994. The follow up albums included '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' and 'Be Here Now' and saw them break into the US market as well. By 2008 friction between the two brothers led to the break up of the band, with Noel forming Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.

Answer: Crossroads

'Crossroads' was based around a motel in the Birmingham area, with Noele Gordon portraying the owner, Meg Richardson. The show was known for sets which were less than sturdy and actors who couldn't remember their lines, although the first problem was caused by the limited budget and the second by the lack of rehearsal time. The show ran from 1964 until 1988, and made a brief return from 2001 until 2003. Noele was fired in 1981, although she made a guest appearance in 1983 when her on screen daughter married. Noele Gordon died from cancer in 1985 and is buried in the churchyard in Ross-on-Wye.

'Neigbours' was Australian and 'Coronation Street' was of a much higher standard. 'Pobol y Cwm', meaning 'People of the Valley' was a Welsh language soap opera.

Answer: The Italian Job

Although Bridger was in prison, it was his backing, with money and manpower, that enabled Michael Caine's character, Charlie Croker, to carry out the heist in Turin. The film made a lasting impression with its Mini Cooper cars racing through the city and out through a sewer pipe and its ambiguous ending. Coward received his knighthood in 1969 and died in 1973. Acting was only one of his talents and he wrote plays such as 'Hay Fever' (1925) and 'Private Lives' (1930) and the operetta 'Bitter Sweet'. Add in his songwriting, with over three hundred songs to his credit and his acting, and you will understand that Coward left a lasting legacy.

Answer: World War I

Chavasse was born in 1884, the younger of twin boys. In 1900, his family moved to Liverpool when his father became Bishop of the city. Noel qualified as a doctor in 1912 and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps the following year, while also working as a surgeon in Liverpool. Chavasse won his first VC in 1916 for his work in caring for the wounded while under fire. The second one was awarded posthumously in September 1917 as Chavasse had died from wounds received during the action which led to the award. His gravestone, in Brandhoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, is engraved with his two medals.

Most of this information came from the website chavasse.u-net.com if you wish to read more about this incredibly brave man.

Answer: Harrison

Noel was the son of much married British actor Sir Rex Harrison, who appeared in 'My Fair Lady' in 1964 among many others. Noel's first love was skiing and he represented Great Britain at the Winter Olympics of both 1952 and 1956. He began his singing career in the UK in the 1950s before moving to the USA in 1965. Noel's rendition of 'The Windmills of Your Mind' was used as the theme music for the film 'The Thomas Crown Affair', starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, in 1968. Noel Harrison also appeared in several films before his death in October 2013.

The other surnames relate to actors who have 'sung' - Richard Harris, Dennis Waterman and Bruce Willis.