People in the news

Published on Saturday 19 July 2008 19:36

RAIL BONUS

The boss of Network Rail has been challenged to give up his six-figure annual bonus because of the New Year travel chaos.

Gerry Doherty, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association, said NR chief executive Iain Coucher should not take his 306,000 bonus after over-running engineering work led to delays and disruption.

SPEED TEST

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton, driving an F1 McLaren, found himself up against new and formidable opposition in the form of an executive jet.

But he won the 'race' against the LearJet 60. As the plane flew above him, he roared down the runway to mark the start of Farnborough Air Show.

ACTOR BURIED

Soap stars joined the family of Emmerdale actor Clive Hornby for his funeral in Leeds.

Hornby, who played Jack Sugden in the soap, died earlier this month at the age of 63. Elizabeth Estensen, who plays his on-screen wife Diane, read a eulogy.

DRAGON'S PLEA

US-style bankruptcy protection is needed to stop a "fear of failure" holding back British entrepreneurs, MPs have been told by a former Dragons' Den star.

American-born Doug Richard, who recently led a small business policy review for Tory leader David Cameron, said the UK's "sudden death" laws were stifling talent here.

Cameron has called for the introduction of 'Chapter 11' proceedings – where struggling firms get court protection while they try to reach a deal with creditors.

SINGER HAS HEP C

Singer Natalie Cole has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, she revealed. The daughter of Nat King Cole is thought to have contracted the potentially deadly virus from past drug use.