In film the big hits were E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, An Officer and a Gentleman, Rocky III and Gandhi, with the latter winning the best picture Oscar.

In music the best selling singles were Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger, The Human League’s Don’t You Want Me and Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ Come On Eileen. The Christmas number one was Renée and Renato’s Save Your Love.

On television Channel 4 had its debut on November 2, showing Countdown and Brookside on its opening night. Cheers, Knight Rider and The Young Ones were also first shown in 1982.

Notable births included Prince William, American actresses Jessica Biel and Kirsten Dunst, American Olympic gold medal sprinter Justin Gatlin and Brazilian footballer Kaka.

Notable deaths included sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman, Jazz musician Thelonious Monk and Dad's Army actor Arthur Lowe.

1982 Star Fact: On January 10 the lowest ever UK temperature was recorded at Braemar in Aberdeenshire. It was -27.2 degrees Celsius.