©  Anthony  Ash   ELTBlog.net

Writer, Actor, Comedian (1975-)

Comedian Russell Brand is famous for his controversial comments and stunts, past struggles with addiction and his short-lived marriage to singer Katy Perry. Born in 1975, comedian Russell Brand discovered acting in school. He attended the Italia Conti Academy in London in 1991, but he was kicked out for his destructive behaviour. Brand later turned to stand-up comedy and landed a job at MTV in Britain in 2000. His next major breakthroughs came with his 2007 memoir My Booky Wook and his 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Brand has several film projects in the works. More recently, he has turned his attention to politics and political commentary. He runs an alternative news service called The Trews, which aims to provide the true news to its viewers. He has also recently released a book entitled Revolution which calls on major change in the political system, demands drastic environmental action to save the planet and encourages people not to vote.

©  Anthony  Ash   ELTBlog.net

Journalist, author, broadcaster (1950-)

Jeremy Dickson Paxman (born 11 May 1950) is an English broadcaster, journalist and author. He has worked for the BBC since 1972 and is known for his forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians. His regular appearances on the BBC Two's Newsnight programme were sometimes criticised as aggressive, intimidating and condescending, yet also applauded as tough and incisive. He is the question master of University Challenge, succeeding Bamber Gascoigne when the programme was revived in 1994.At the end of April 2014, Paxman announced that he was to leave Newsnight in June after 25 years of presenting the programme.