Joan Bakewell BAFTA-winning journalist. Started broadcasting in the 1960s. Has written columns for The Sunday Times, and the Guardian. Books include The Centre of the Bed (autobiography) and Belief.

Trevor Baylis Inventor and ex-stuntman. Best known for inventing the clockwork radio and the Electric Shoe. Has developed a range of clockwork products in response to the need for cheap and accessible equipment in Africa.

Trevor Beattie Advertising exec. The brain behind the 1990's "Hello Boys" Wonderbra campaign and for revamping the French Connection UK retail chain as FCUK. Writes occasional columns for the Guardian, GQ, Esquire and the Independent.

Antony Beevor Historian and former army officer who studied under the famous historian of WW2, John Keegan. Has published several books on WW2, including the bestselling Stalingrad and Berlin - The Downfall 1945.

Michael Beloff QC President of the British Association of Sports and Law. Has expertise in human rights and administrative law. Was on the panel which successfully prosecuted athletes Kenteris and Thanou for a missed drugs test on the eve of the Athens Olympics.

Tony Benn One of Britain's most distinguished politicians. Longest serving MP in the history of the Labour party. Famously interviewed Sadam Hussain in 2003 and in 2004 was elected the first President of the Stop the War Coalition.

John Berendt Writes a monthly column for Esquire and has been the editor of New York magazine. Author of the international bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and The City of Falling Angels.

Julie Bindel Founder of Justice for Women and advised the Home Office as part of its review on prostitution. Writes regularly for the Guardian and is the co-author of The Map of My Life: The Story of Emma Humphreys.

John Bird Founding Editor of The Big Issue in London 13 years ago. Has since spread the business all over the world. In 1995, he was named Editor's Editor. I also an adviser to the British government on social exclusion.

Ian Bone Set up Class War, a newspaper that became a whole anarchist movement. Bone is still angry, "There’s plenty to be angry about". His latest book is Bash the Rich.

Craig Brown Columnist and satirical writer best known for his work in Private Eye. He has a regular column in The Daily Telegraph and has written the books 'The Little Book of Chaos', 'The Marsh Marlowe Letters' and 'The Hounding of John Thomas'.

Chris Bryant Labour MP for Rhondda, formerly a Church of England curate and head of European Affairs at the BBC. Chair of the Labour Movement for Europe.

Will Buckley Sports journalist for the Guardian and Observer. His semi-biographical debut novel, The Man Who Hated Football, portrays a football writer who's fallen out of love with the 'beautiful game'.

Inayat Bunglawala General secretary of the Muslim Council of Great Britian. Joined the Young Muslims in 1987. In 2005, was selected as one of seven 'conveners' for a Home Office task force with responsibilities for tackling extremism among young Muslims.

Andy Burnham Labour MP for Leigh since June 2001 and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office. Has particular responsibility for ID Cards, refugee integration and the criminal records bureau. Has been PPS to both David Blunkett and Ruth Kelly.

Lynette Burrows Family campaigner, writer, broadcaster, catholic and mother of six. Author of Good Children: A Common-sense Guide to Bringing up your Child and Fight for the Family