Jude, Jonny-come-lately join ranks of influential

He has charmed Hollywood and is half of this year's most famous celebrity couple. Now Jude Law has won a place alongside politicians and peers of the realm in the ultimate chronicle of who is in and out at the top of British society.

The actor is one of 700 new entrants in the 2005 edition of Debrett's People of Today, alongside England rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson and Jacqueline Gold, founder of sex-shop chain Ann Summers.

Recognition by the arbiter of the British establishment is not guaranteed to last a lifetime. Former Tory MP Edwina Currie, television presenter Jamie Theakston and footballer Paul Gascoigne have all been dropped from the 18th annual list of Britons who matter.

Music, business and fashion are well-represented. Pop singer Ms Dynamite is included under her real name, Niomi McLean-Daley, in recognition of her musical achievements as well as the role she has played in the battle against gun crime.

Fran Healey, lead singer of Travis, and The Prodigy's Liam Howlett also merit inclusion.

The success of Cobra beer, which rose to popularity on the back of an advertising campaign that promised it was "less gassy", has earned company chief executive Karan Bilamoria a place in the book.

Christopher Bailey, creative director of the once-exclusive Burberry label, is another new entrant.

"At least they have drawn the line at contestants in reality television shows," said Mary Killen, a columnist for the Spectator weekly magazine. "It's interesting, not from a snob value, but to see what are their achievements."

Although first five-eighths Wilkinson has suffered almost constant injury since returning from a triumphant Rugby World Cup victory at Sydney in November last year, he and the rest of the winning squad are included, as well as former coach Sir Clive Woodward.

And while their personal lives have led to demotion from the front benches for former Home Secretary David Blunkett and Conservative MP Boris Johnson, they are still recognised by Debrett's.

But author and politician Ms Currie has not been so fortunate. Her writing earned her a place in People of Today for many years after her political career ended, but she has now been excluded because "lit-wise she doesn't cut the mustard".

She is joined by faded stars of sport and screen, including entertainer Sir Jimmy Savile and former girl-band singer Natalie Appleton, who recently whinged for England on reality show I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here.

Footballers Dwight Yorke and David Seaman and sprinter Dwayne Chambers, who was banned from athletics for two years for using the steroid THG, have also failed to make the grade.

"Debrett's People of Today is much more real and worthwhile than Who's Who," said social diarist Adam Helliker.

"It is a good reference guide. For example, people writing about Jude Law often get his birthday wrong.

"The obvious criticism is that it could become a barometer of what our celebrity-hungry media are concerned about, but it will be interesting to find out what Jude Law considers to be his interests."

People of Today, founded in 1988, lists between 25,000 and 32,000 high-achievers - 0.05 per cent of the population. It aims to list those people who "are playing the most influential part in shaping Britain's intellectual, social and cultural life".

Thousands of hours go into researching and reviewing each edition to ensure it remains comprehensive and current.

Debrett's was founded in 1769 when John Debrett first published a guide to the British aristocracy, known as Peerage and Baronetage and is now in its 144th edition.

- INDEPENDENT