Guy Opperman was so sure he'd spotted the famous footballer (right) that he breathlessly tweeted his 5,000 followers: 'Mario Balotelli has popped in to Commons gallery'. The tweet, sent during a debate on the merits of decriminalisation, said he was donning 'a sharp suit, pink shirt and a poppy'. The apparent recognition sparked excitement in the house, with members of the press craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the player. But they soon realised Mr Opperman was mistaken - and it was actually a 55-year-old with a similar mohawk. It turned out to be Ken Hinds (left), a dancer and activist who has worked as a mediator for Scotland Yard.dailymail
Jack Martindale, 25, (pictured left this year) has like many others just completed a bachelor's degree and started the process of working out what to do next. But less than five years ago, in the early hours of New Year's Day 2010, he was hit by a car that careered off the road and shattered his skull into 30 pieces (x-ray pictured, inset) and ended up in a coma. The crash near London's north circular motorway killed his 20-year-old friend Carrie Maclaren instantly. His new love interest, Chelsea Cannon, 19 (pictured together, right, in 2009), never woke up from her coma. For more than three months doctors repeatedly warned his parents that Jack would probably wake up but could never lead an independent life. On a scale of one to 15 - worst to best - his coma was rated three: the lowest point at which you have a chance of survival. He suffered a diffuse axonal head injury, which left him with severe amnesia and ataxia, which affects muscle coordination and speech. Incredibly, after a bitter legal battle and years of intensive therapy, he has a degree, his own place and has written a book about his journey battling a brain injury.
