Faces of 2009
Florence and the Machine became pop's bright new star and the ex-head of the army courted political controversy. Dance troupe Diversity swept all before them on Britain's Got Talent and the nation agonised over the BBC's decision to invite the BNP on to Question Time. Belle de Jour decided to reveal herself and Esther Rantzen announced she was standing for Parliament. We talked to the people who made the headlines
Venetia Williams: 'It was an extraordinary performance… unbelievable'
Esther Rantzen: 'You can't please all of the people all of the time'
Diversity: 'It was my parents and dancing that kept me off the streets'
Richard Dannatt: 'If the Tories win, I will not be a defence minister'
Brooke Magnanti: 'I've never had to psych myself up to take my clothes off'
Katie Jarvis: 'Walking down the red carpet, people screaming… madness!'
David Dimbleby: 'It wasn't a bullfight… it was a good moment for the BBC'
Florence Welch: 'I was a bit loopy, spinning out of control. I could have gone under'
