From the king of pop to the queen of reality TV, from swine flu to MPs’ expenses, there are among the year’s most-read stories.
There are goodbyes and near-misses, extremes in the weather, and a few light-hearted moments alongside more serious tales.
JANUARY
Two near misses and a certain Time Lord grabbed the headlines in January.
It was new year, new Doctor, asMatt Smith was named](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/7808697.stm)as the actor to take over from David Tennant in Doctor Who. At 27, he will be the youngest to take on the role when he appears on TV in 2010.
Attention turned to Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, whowrote off his Ferrari](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/manchester/7817764.stm)in a crash near Manchester Airport but walked away unscathed.
Another lucky escape attracted plenty of attention whena pilot crash-landed an airliner](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/7832439.stm)in New York’s Hudson River after birds disabled its engines. All 155 passengers and crew were rescued.
Two technology stories also made headlines this month. The first told how a Windows "worm"infected millions of computers,](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/technology/7832652.stm)and the second revealed plans forbroadband to be in every UK home](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/technology/7858498.stm)by 2012.
And theBank of England cut interest rates](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/business/7817453.stm)to 1.5% - the lowest level in its 315-year history.
FEBRUARY
One story dominated the most-read list in February - theUK’s worst snowfall for almost 20 years](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/7865477.stm)and ensuing winter chaos.
Road, rail and airtransport was badly affected,](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/7874115.stm)hundreds of schools were closed and a shortage of road salt created what the AA called**“a safety crisis”.**](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/7872529.stm)
Three separate tragic tales provided the focus for the rest of the month.
Terminally ill reality TV starJade Goody, who had cervical cancer, married her fiance Jack Tweedin Essex. She died, aged 27, a month later.
Conservative leader David Cameron’s “beautiful” six-year-old sonIvan, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, died at a hospital](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/7909562.stm)in London.
And nine people were killed and 84 injured when a Turkish Airlinesplane crashed on landing](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/europe/7909683.stm)at Amsterdam’s Schiphol international airport.
MARCH
March offered little in light relief, until the end of the month at least. First,gunmen attacked a bus](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/in_depth/7920260.stm)carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team near the Pakistani city of Lahore, killing six police escorts and a driver.
Chelsea and England footballerAshley Cole was arrested](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/7925963.stm)for being drunk and disorderly after swearing at police officers.
A teenage gunman killed 15 people](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/europe/7936817.stm)on a rampage at a school in south-west Germany, including nine pupils and three teachers.
Then, actressNatasha Richardson died](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/7949195.stm)from head injuries sustained in a skiing accident in Canada.
But the mood was lifted by the most clicked on story of the month, which raised smiles and possibly a few pilots’ eyebrows.
An 18-year-oldsecretly painted a 60ft penis](http://www.paklinks.com/newsbeat/low/newsbeat/newsid_7961000/7961224.stm)on the roof of his parents’ £1m Berkshire mansion. It was there for a year before they found out.
APRIL
April saw swine flu emerge from Mexico and spread to Britain. But these were early days. The number ofUK cases was still in single figures](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8023977.stm)and apandemic imminent,](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8025931.stm)not yet a reality.
ChancellorAlistair Darling’s budget](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8011882.stm)drew widespread attention. He tore up a New Labour election pledge by unveilinga new tax rate](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8011321.stm)for earnings over £150,000.
Memories of February’s snow faded, as Met Officeforecasters predicted a “barbecue summer”](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8026668.stm)for the UK with no repeat of recent washouts.
Almost. Summer temperatures were warmer than the previous two years, but average rainfall was up 40%.
It was a month to forget for BBC presenter Clare Balding who apologised to Grand National winning jockey Liam Treadwell formaking fun of his teeth on air.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/7985464.stm)
After urging him to show his pearly whites, she told him he could now afford to “get them done” with his prize money.
MAY
The rumblings, uproar and recriminations in Westminster over MPs’ expenses hogged this month’s headlines.
Health minister Phil Hope said he wouldrepay £41,709 in second home allowances,](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8047410.stm)then Labour MPShahid Malik stepped down as justice minister.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8051091.stm)
“Appalled” Conservative leaderDavid Cameron, meanwhile, said he would lead senior Tories in repaying “excessive” claims.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8044998.stm)
But it did not end there. Under-fire Commons Speaker**Michael Martin was next to quit - **](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8057203.stm)making him the first in that role to be effectively forced out of office for 300 years.
Away from politics, it was all over for Peter Andre and Katie Price too. The celebrity coupleannounced they were separating](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8044335.stm)after three-and-a-half years of marriage.
Then there was the competition to land the “best job in the world”. Hampshire manBen Southall beat 34,000 applicants](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/asia-pacific/8035168.stm)to become the new caretaker of an Australian tropical island.
JUNE
Another month, another round of political stories.
Communities SecretaryHazel Blears quit the cabinet](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8080777.stm)on the eve of two sets of elections, increasing pressure on the prime minister.
TheConservatives triumphed](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8081729.stm)in the English local elections, and two days later,Labour slumped to an historic defeat](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8088133.stm)in the European polls.
There was huge interest in the Air France plane whichvanished over the Atlantic](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8076848.stm)in a storm carrying 228 people from Brazil to France.
Within a weekrescuers were recovering debris and, inevitably, bodies](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8087991.stm)from the ocean.
ThenMichael Jackson died.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8119993.stm)The 50-year-old pop legend was pronounced dead at his home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, after he stopped breathing.
On a lighter note, the Stig, a mystery driver who tests cars on BBC’s Top Gear,was “revealed” as Michael Schumacher -](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8111588.stm)although many feel sure the whole thing was a stunt.
JULY
One of the most popular stories this month concerned a new directory service for peopleto find mobile phone numbers.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/programmes/working_lunch/8091621.stm)
Elsewhere, Michael Jackson’s family and fans saidfarewell to the superstar](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8137700.stm)at an emotional memorial service.
Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard wasin court on an affray charge](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/merseyside/8160783.stm)after a row over music at a bar in Southport.
Former Wales, Arsenal and Celtic striker John Hartson was in acritical condition after brain surgery](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/wales/8151728.stm)following a cancer diagnosis.
Swine flu reared its head again after an estimated100,000 new cases](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/health/8163930.stm)in a week. Earlier in the month aGP and a six-year-old girl died](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8148162.stm)after contracting the virus.
Finally, in Scotland, an off-duty police dog handler took a video of what he claimed was apanther-sized big cat](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8172064.stm)on a railway line.
AUGUST
Football got some high-profile coverage in August - for the wrong reasons. A man was stabbed in the chest during**“large-scale trouble” involving hundreds of fans**](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/london/8221451.stm)at a West Ham v Millwall match.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46985000/jpg/_46985250_jaycee.jpg
West Ham centre-back Calum Davenport’s career was threatened when he wasstabbed in the legs](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/8217595.stm)at his mother’s home in Bedfordshire.
And a Britishteenager found dead in Crete](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/essex/8198846.stm)was revealed to be the younger brother of Aston Villa and England footballer Luke Young.
Also drawing plenty of attention was the case of a US woman in California found 18 years after she was abducted as a girl in 1991.
Jaycee Lee Dugard was kept in a “hidden backyard within a backyard” andbore two children by her alleged kidnapper](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8225621.stm)Phillip Garrido.
And finally, the funniest joke of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, as voted by viewers of TV channel Dave.
Comedian Dan Antopolski won the prize for this one-liner: "Hedgehogs. Why can’t they just share the hedge"Here is the list of gags he beat.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8216991.stm)
SEPTEMBER
Two celebrity deaths on the same day -celebrity chef Keith Floyd died](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8256260.stm)following a heart attack, andDirty Dancing actor Patrick Swayze lost](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8256033.stm)his two-year battle against pancreatic cancer.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46985000/jpg/_46985727_gold2getty.jpg
Elsewhere, private school teacher Helen Goddard, 26, wasjailed for having sex](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/london/8266780.stm)with a 15-year-old female pupil.
Sir Terry Wogan announced he was stepping down](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8241101.stm)as presenter of BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show.
And SugababeKeisha Buchanan left the pop group,](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8268060.stm)claiming it was not her decision.
Then there was a story that was pure gold -the UK’s largest haul of Anglo-Saxon treasure](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/staffordshire/8272058.stm)discovered by a metal detectorist in Staffordshire.
OCTOBER
Showbiz figures dominated the most-read list in October, led by thesudden death of Boyzone singer](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8301187.stm)Stephen Gately on holiday in Majorca.
Friends, fans and stars paid tribute](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8301627.stm)to the 33-year-old ahead of a post-mortem examination which foundhe died of natural causes.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8304419.stm)
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46986000/jpg/_46986795_griffin.jpg
Meanwhile, Little Britain starMatt Lucas pulled out of a West End play](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8292330.stm)after his former partner Kevin McGee was found hanged.
ActressBarbara Windsor announced she was quitting](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8329637.stm)EastEnders.
Meanwhile,BNP leader Nick Griffin said he would complain](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8322322.stm)to the BBC for facing a “lynch mob” on Question Time.
And finally, when it came to relationship age gaps, Somalian man Ahmed Muhamed Dore took some beating.He claimed he was 112](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/africa/8331136.stm)when he married 17-year-old Safia Abdulleh.
NOVEMBER
Weather stories led the way asparts of southern England were flooded](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8358530.stm)in the middle of the month, with worse to come.
A week later about 200 people were rescued from the town of Cockermouth as Cumbria was hit by the worst floods in its history.RAF helicopters airlifted at least 50 to safety.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8366360.stm)
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46987000/jpg/_46987390_street_466_ap.jpg
There was disappointment for millions of bank customers hoping to be refunded overdraft charges.The Supreme Court overturned earlier rulings](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/business/8376906.stm)allowing the Office of Fair Trading to investigate the fairness of charges.
Veteran actorEdward Woodward died](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8362367.stm)at 79, after suffering pneumonia and various other illnesses.
And there was tragedy in Liverpool whena four-year-old boy was mauled to death](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/england/merseyside/8386023.stm)by a dog at a family home.
But it was not all doom and gloom - for some at least.
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! produced two of the month’s popular stories as firstex-Strictly Come Dancing star Camilla Dallerup](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8366022.stm)then model Katie Price quit the show.
DECEMBER
A cold snap, and heavy snow and ice meanttravel was thrown into chaos, schools closed and power supplies were cut.](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8420057.stm)
Christmasholiday plans were disrupted](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8426006.stm)as many airports cancelled flights.
Chancellor Alistair Darling’s pre-Budget report](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/politics/8402769.stm)was also keenly observed. He said National Insurance would rise, and announced a bank bonus tax scheme.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/46922000/jpg/_46922780_zack226_bbc.jpg
The Italian trial of Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend ended with their conviction.Knox cried as she was jailed](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/uk_news/8394750.stm)for 26 years for the murder and sexual violence of British student Meredith Kercher.
Golfer Tiger Woods’ private life attracted much speculation. A week after he apologised to his family for letting them down, hismother-in-law was suddenly admitted to hospital](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/americas/8401706.stm)while staying at his Florida home.
The most competitive battle in years for the Christmas number one also proved very popular.
Rage Against the Machine’s single, Killing In The Name, beat X Factor winner Joe McElderry’s The Climb](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/entertainment/8423340.stm)after an internet spoiler campaign.
Finally,underwater footage of an octopus surprised scientists](http://www.paklinks.com/2/low/science/nature/8408233.stm)when it revealed the creatures carried halved coconut shells with them to use later as shelters.