Max Clifford: Publicist to the stars for six decades

Max Clifford pictured in 2012. Credit: PA

PR guru Max Clifford has represented some of Britain's most high-profile celebrities during a career spanning six decades.

Born in Surrey in 1943, he left school at 15 and trained as a journalist before joining the record label EMI as a press officer in 1962.

During the sixties he claims to have had a hand in launching the careers of The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys.

In 1970 he founded Max Clifford Associates, continuing to work with musicians but also expanding to represent comedians, actors and sportsmen.

In the 1980s he helped fabricate a story which led to the infamous Sun headline: "Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster".

More recently, Clifford specialised in publicising reality stars and celebrity gossip stories.

Clifford with Vanessa Perroncel after it emerged the former wife of Wayne Bridge had had an affair with Chelsea team mate John Terry. Credit: PA

A page on Clifford's website lists many of his current and past clients, including: