Jude makes the Debrett's grade

Hollywood heart throb Jude Law has made it into Britain's most exclusive reference book.

16:22 28 December 2004

Hollywood heart throb Jude Law has made it into Britain's most exclusive reference book.

The actor has secured an entry into the 2005 edition of Debrett's "People of Today", a reference book which lists between 25,000 and 32,000 of Britain's top achievers and VIPs.

Among those who join the star of the film Alfie, are rugby champion Jonny Wilkinson and his England team mates from the 2003 World Cup victory.

Other new entrants include head of the Anne Summers lingerie chain, Jacqueline Gold and Fran Healey, lead singer of the band Travis. Liam Howlett of the Prodigy also makes an appearance.

Ms Dynamite is another modern music star to make the grade. Entered under her real name Niomi McLean-Daley, the R&B artist is recognised for her artistic success in addition to her efforts in helping to promote gun restriction.

Tory MP Boris Johnson and former home secretary David Blunkett were among those who managed to retain their place within the exclusive book, despite recent controversy surrounding their private lives.

Other celebrities did not fair as well and a number of VIPs were culled from this year's edition of Debretts in order to make way for new "blue blood."

Among those dropped to make way for this year's 700 new entrants were footballers Paul Gascoigne, Dwight Yorke and David Seaman.

Former MP turned reality TV chef Edwina Currie was also given the boot for the fruits of the short-lived writing career she embarked upon after her career as a politician.

"Lit-wise she doesn't cut the mustard", Debrett's says.

The reference book was first released by the self-styled "world's oldest blue-blood publisher" 18 years ago.