Last year, when The Independent on Sunday was putting together its annual Pink List, the by then regular phone call was made to a FTSE 100 office in the City. "We are compiling a list of the most influential gay people in Britain," said the researcher. "Is the chief executive willing to appear?" On the other end of the line, there was a sharp intake of breath, and a pause. "'I don't what you are suggesting, but it is not in the least appropriate that his name is associated with that article," said the PA. You've guessed it: the office was that of BP, and the chief executive was Lord Browne.

We may never know why John Browne lied about his sexuality. But this year's Pink List, brought forward because of his untimely departure from BP, shows that fewer people find it necessary to conceal theirs. The list has 28 new entries, some who appear for the first time because they have risen in prominence, others because they have recently "come out". All those included are celebrated; some work tirelessly, without often being publicly congratulated.

The negotiations about whom to leave off were many and animated. Gay men and lesbians still have discrimination to fight in the boardroom, the courtroom and the classroom. But this is as a good a time as any time to mark the progress made, and we thank all who appear here.

1. (18) Russell T Davies, Screenwriter

They said Doctor Who could never be revived but Davies made it witty, sexy, slick and scary - and made Saturday evening telly compulsory again. He made his name with the ground-breaking Channel 4 drama Queer As Folk, but proof that the 44-year-old has taken over the mainstream came when he was named Industry Player of the Year at the Edinburgh International Television Festival. Populist and clever, this genius was the overwhelming choice of our panel.

2. (23) Stephen Fry, Television Host, Actor, Author

In 2006 he was the public's ninth greatest star and the BBC's sixth greatest living icon. His BBC2 quiz show QI has a following that would be called "cult" if it weren't so huge. Also stars in new ITV1 drama Kingdom. He has won plaudits for his work on mental health issues and is the most intelligent man in the world, according to readers of the Radio Times.

3. (02) Sir Elton John, Musician

Sir Elton has sold more than 250 million records and has 25 platinum albums. Celebrated his 60th birthday before a star-studded audience at Madison Square Garden. His Elton John Aids Foundation, which he runs with his partner David Furnish, has become one of the word's most celebrated charities. Will play that song again at the Diana memorial concert at Wembley in July.

4. (03) Henry Badenhorst, Founder and owner of gaydar.co.uk

Badenhorst, 40, formed Gaydar, with partner Gary Frish, in 1999. It has become the world's biggest online dating site, with more than four million subscribers. The pair had split as lovers before Frish fell to his death from his south London flat in February this year. A new social networking site, Gaydar Nation, is due to go live soon. The Gaydar radio station won best digital radio station at the Sony awards.

5. (01) Sir Ian Mckellen, Actor

Serena - as he is affectionately nicknamed - is currently appearing nude in his portrayal of King Lear at the Courtyard Theatre. He revels in an eclectic mix of roles, from blockbusters, to the stage to Coronation Street. He is a renowned campaigner for gay rights, though his attempts to persuade young gay actors to come out has had limited success.

6. (05) Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner

He is a self-proclaimed fighter rather than quitter, but he has got in there first by saying he will seek another five-year term in Brussels. His one-time chum and now arch-foe Gordon Brown takes over the keys to No 10 soon, and some feel he doesn't want to give his co-architect of New Labour the chance to dump him.

7. (26) Spencer Livermore, Political Adviser

Lauded as brilliant, this 31-year-old adviser is a much trusted policy confidant of Gordon Brown, and is virtually assured of a key position at No 10 within two months. Read economics and politics at the LSE, before joining the Labour Party's economic research unit in 1997, where he was soon fast-tracked.

8. (09) Matt Lucas, Comedian

A good year for Lucas. He tied the knot with partner Kevin McGee; Little Britain has done well abroad; and he is working on material for US channel HBOS with David Walliams. He also took on more serious roles, playing Mr Toad in the BBC's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows last Christmas.

9. (07) John Galliano, Fashion Designer

Currently fighting a court ruling in Paris that he plagiarised the work of American photographer William Klein in an advertising campaign. But his outlandish shows for Christian Dior and for his own label mean he remains our foremost fashion designer.

10. (08) Alan Bennett, Playwright and Author

It's 24 years since Bennett was awarded his first Tony, for Beyond the Fringe. Last year saw him awarded another six for his play The History Boys, directed by Nicholas Hytner who brought it to the big screen this year. It received two Bafta nominations. Bennett's years of theatre, TV and diaries have made him a trans-generation national treasure. The latest collection of his assorted writings, Untold Stories, was a huge best-seller.

11. (36) Graham Norton, Television Host

One of the most influential gay men in light entertainment via his chat shows and as frontman to prime-time Saturday night show Strictly Dance Fever. He did spark some controversy recently, describing cocaine as "fantastic". But he is now Mr Light Entertainment, appearing in the Girls Aloud and Sugababes Comic Relief video and hosting the BBC1 variety show When Will I Be Famous?. Also has a new BBC2 chat show, The Graham Norton Show.

12. (06) Sir Michael Bishop, Chairman, BMI

He has reached pensionable age, but shows no sign of slowing down. Over more than 40 years, he has made bmi a major player in the short-haul airline business. His company acquired the British Mediterranean airline in February and achieved its long-held ambition to fly to America.

13. (16) Alan Hollinghurst, Author

Suave, mahogany-voiced Hollinghurst, long-time deputy editor of the Times Literary Supplement, won the 2004 Booker Prize for his third novel The Line of Beauty, a masterly evocation of the Thatcherite 1980s, in which gay sex and the threat of Aids was just one of a number of components; it was adapted, successfully, by the BBC for television last year. Hollinghurst is now a high-prestige catch at literary festivals.

14. (22) David Starkey, Historian

Starkey apparently enjoys his status as Britain's Rudest Man, since it helps him to remain Britain's highest paid TV presenter. Now officially the man who knows more about the Tudors than anyone else, his million-pound deal with Channel 4 will bring him before his adoring public for a good while yet. A prominent campaigner for gay rights.

15. (NEW) Rabbi Lionel Blue, Author, Commentator

With his mellifluous tones, Blue, 77, has a place in the nation's affections that grows larger with each passing year. Britain's first openly gay rabbi is a regular on BBC Radio 4's Today programme Thought for the Day slot.

16. (04) Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Impresario

He was recently ranked fifth in The Sunday Times Music Rich List and is worth £450m. He owns homes in London, Somerset and Malta and is responsible for a host of productions, including Les Misérables and Mary Poppins.

17. (NEW) John Barrowman, Actor

Born in Glasgow, 40-year-old Barrowman stars in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. He kissed the doctor last time around, an intergalactic first for mainstream telly. Currently hosting Any Dream Will Do, a TV search for a new male lead in Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. His real ambition is to launch a pop career.

18. (85) Sandi Toksvig, Broadcaster and Writer

This stalwart on radio shows such as I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue and Excess Baggage is one of the most popular voices in middle England. The 49-year-old was dropped from Save the Children when she came out, but protests led the charity to take her back again. Toksvig was recently named Political Humourist of the Year at the Channel 4 Political Awards and Broadcaster of the Year at last month's Broadcasting Press Guild's Awards. Now hosts The News Quiz on Radio 4.

19. (12) Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director, Royal National Theatre

His current production, Rafta Rafta at the Cottesloe, has received rave reviews. Has a reputation of making critical statements about art policy, and has been a vocal critic of cuts in arts funding to prop up the Olympics budget. He directed The History Boys on screen and recently renewed his partnership with Boyett Ostar Productions which presents National Theatre productions on Broadway.

20. (NEW) Greg Barker MP

An FOD (Friend of Dave), Barker was one of the first to persuade Cameron to run for the leadership. Was embroiled in a farrago about leaving his wife for a (male) interior designer, but has now confirmed he is gay. Tories still support him. Worked in the City for nearly 10 years before moving into PR in 1997. He later joined Roman Abramovich's Sibneft oil company. Now a shadow environment minister.

21. (69) Fiona Shaw, Actress and New Booker Judge

Shaw is regarded as one of our finest classical actresses but wins applause for her film forays too. Her theatre awards include three Laurence Olivier Awards for best actress and one New York Critics' Award for her performance in T S Eliot's The Waste Land. Her roles in the Harry Potter films as his cruel aunt have been widely acclaimed. A CBE, she is a judge for the this year's Man Booker Prize.

22. (11) Peter Ackroyd, Biographer, Novelist, Psychogeographer

Astonishingly prolific one-man writing factory, Ackroyd delivers novels and biographies, mostly concerned with dwellers in, or aspects of, his beloved London. Dickens, Blake, Shakespeare, Thomas More, most recently Isaac Newton and Edgar Allan Poe have all been revivified by his mighty pen. This year's projects have included a novel about the finding of Troy and a study of Venice. Time he returned to TV for another series of explanatory talks such as his The Romantic Poets last year.

23. (NEW) Jonathan Mildenhall, Marketing Executive

The ex-strategy director at advertising agency Mother was headhunted by Coca-Cola where he is now global marketing chief. Originally from Leeds, he's of mixed-race origin and recently took on the advertising industry over ethnic minority representation.

24. (51) Peter Tatchell, Civil Rights Campaigner

Began fighting homophobia in 1969, eventually founding OutRage!, a group attacking the hypocrisy of closeted gays who publicly denounce same-sex relationships. Condemning the outing of former BP boss Lord Browne as "sordid, amoral journalism of the worst kind", Tatchell believes it should be up to them when people come out.

25. (25) George Michael, Musician

Recently more famous for his brushes with the law - falling asleep at the wheel and driving away from an incident with parked cars - Michael has graduated from (closeted) biggest British pop star of the 1980s to beloved openly promiscuous gay man of today. Michael will be the first performer to play at the newly reopened Wembley Stadium in June as part of a sold-out worldwide tour.

26. (NEW) Dominic Cooke, Theatre Director

He took up the post of artistic director in January and has just announced the "500 for £5" scheme which will sell 500 seats across each production run for £5 to punters under 25.

27. (27) Nicholas Boles, Political Adviser

An influential member of the "Notting Hill set" and Cameron ally, Boles counters accusations of homophobia in the Tory party, stating: "Most prejudice in the party has degenerated. I think we now have the most gay candidates." Boles set up a DIY supply firm in the mid-1990s.

28. (29) David Hockney, Artist

Hockney will be 70 this July, a milestone that will no doubt be used for a fresh appreciation of one of Britain's most influential artists. The Bradford lad whose became the bad boy of Pop Art is now the grand old man and his paintings command record prices.

29. (28) Simon Callow, Actor and Author

Irrepressible, sensuous, fruity-voiced old-school thespian, once ubiquitous on West End stage and in Merchant/Ivory films, most famous (to his annoyance) for playing doomed, waistcoat-wearing cardiac victim in Four Weddings and a Funeral, has flourishing second career as author. Well-respected biography of Charles Laughton followed by three-decker on Orson Welles. Second volume, Hello Americans, well received. Fans long to see him back treading boards where he belongs.

30. (77) Lord Waheed Alli, Television Producer, Labour Peer

Britian's first openly gay peer left school at 16, worked for Robert Maxwell, then became an investment banker. With life-partner Charlie Parsons launched into TV - The Word, The Big Breakfast - and is now the power behind Paul O'Grady's show. Owns part of Shine, which he founded with Elisabeth Murdoch in 2001. Appointed SMG non-executive director this year.

31. (NEW) Neil Mcgregor, Director of British Museum

Recently suggested the British Museum might lend the Elgin Marbles to Greece, as long as the Greek government accepted British ownership of the sculptures. He studied at Oxford, Paris and Edinburgh, and taught art and art history at the University of Reading before becoming director of the National Gallery. He became British Museum director in 2002.

32. (NEW) Alan Carr, Comedian

Famed for his gregarious presenting of The Friday Night Project, Alan Carr, a stand-up comedian in his own right, admitted to wanting to get into Daniel Craig's Bond trunks. A lunch with friend Lionel Blair led to the unexpected rescue of a man about to commit suicide off Blackpool pier. His latest UK comedy tour ends at the Hammersmith Apollo this month.

33. (30) Simon Russell Beale, Actor

The 46-year-old once described by The Daily Telegraph as "the finest actor of his generation" got the lead role of his life in Hamlet in 2000 by the National Theatre, for which he received huge critical acclaim. Other theatre performances include Iago in Othello and Richard III. In 2007, he reprised his Broadway role as King Arthur in the highly successful Monty Python musical Spamalot .

34. (NEW) Paul Tanner, Doctor

Aged 29, Paul Tanner is the director and co-founder of one of London's fastest growing and most recognisable healthcare communications agencies, 90TEN. With countless awards under his belt, including being nominated for Young Achiever of the Year this year at the Communiqué Awards, Tanner advises the world's largest pharmaceutical companies.

35. (10) Alexander McQueen, Fashion Designer

McQueen retains his flamboyant tag - his spring collection dresses this year were made entirely of flowers - but also pursues less flamboyant projects. He teamed up with suitcase makers Samsonite to design the Black Label range for the top end of the market.

36. (32) Paul O'Grady, Television Host

O'Grady's bitter split from ITV is behind him. With his Lily Savage days long gone, his success is such that Channel 4 clearly sees him as popular as Richard and Judy. One worry is his health - he had a second heart attack last year but he has recovered well.

37. (38)

Carol Ann Duffy, Poet and Playwright

The nation's most revered female poet, Duffy was born in Glasgow and lives in Manchester, where she lectures at the university. Her work has won every available poetry award, including the Forward Prize (for Mean Time) and the T S Eliot Prize last year for Rapture, the record of a passionate affair and its sad aftermath. Her collection The World's Wife was a brilliant conflation of feminist polemic, wit and shrewd psychology.

38. (52) Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP

Ex-journalist Ben Bradshaw - he was Berlin correspondent for the BBC when the wall came down - was appointed environment minister last November, and was praised for his handling of the this year's bird flu crisis at Bernard Matthews' factory. In 2006 he was the first MP to undertake a civil partnership.

39. (41) Sarah Waters, Novelist

Waters made her name with historical novels Tipping the Velvet, Affinity and Fingersmith, which evoked lesbian lives in the Victorian era. Last year's novel The Night Watch was a best-seller and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize. Her third novel Fingersmith was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2002 and the Man Booker Prize, the same year. She is now touring the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand. In January 2003, Waters was named as one of Granta's 20 Best of Young British Writers. She was recipient of the South Bank Award for Literature 2003 and was named Author of the Year at the 2003 British Book Awards.

40. (44) Howard Hodgkin, Artist

Hodgkin,'s major exhibition at Tate Britain last year was a huge success. He is working on the sets for the Mark Morris Dance Group's Mozart Dances, which plays at the Barbican in July. At the Great Art Fair in November 2006, 500 artists were asked to name their favourite artist and Hodgkin came second after Lucian Freud.

41. (43) Scott Mills, DJ

One of Radio 1's most popular DJs, Mills, 33, hosts the 4-7pm drivetime show - a considerable step up from his early days at the station in 1998 when he presented the 4-7am "graveyard" slot.

42. (NEW) Derek Jacobi, Actor

Jacobi, 68, is the second actor to hold two knighthoods - Danish and English. (The other was Sir Laurence Olivier.) Born in Leytonstone to working-class parents, he won a scholarship to Cambridge where he met fellow thesp Sir Ian McKellen, who apparently had a crush on Jacobi. A distinguished acting career followed. After 27 years with partner Richard Clifford, Jacobi registered their civil partnership in March 2006.

43. (71) Rupert Everett, Actor and Novelist

Tall, handsome, effortlessly heroic Norfolk-born rent-boy turned actor, Everett, 47, played the perfect gay pal in My Best Friend's Wedding, and the perfect Algernon in The Importance of Being Ernest. Has taken a lower profile recently, playing Prince Charming in the Shrek sequels, and the Fox in the first Narnia movie. But took literary world by storm with Red Carpets and Other Banana Skins, a marvellously well-written chronicle of excess. Sadly, it didn't earn its £1m advance in sales, but everybody talked about it.

44. (NEW) John Amaechi, Basketball Player

Amaechi, 36, raised in Stockport, played professional basketball in the US before starting a broadcasting career back in Britain. He became the first figure associated with the NBA to come out. A major, major deal. Although some players were supportive, one said that he couldn't share a locker room with a gay team-mate.

45. (37) Tyler Brulé, Chairman and Creative Director of Wink

The Canadian-born journalist and publisher launched his latest publication, Monocle in February. It follows the massive success of Wallpaper*. His design agency, Winkreactive, continues to boom. He is a columnist and a much sought-after speaker.

46. (13) Howell James, Permanent Secretary

Was John Major's press secretary, then set up his own PR agency before returning to Whitehall in 2004 as permanent secretary in charge of government communications. With Vanessa Branson, sister of Richard, he owns Riad El Fenn, a hotel in Marrakech. Says government spin these days is in check. Do we believe him?

47. (17) Sebastian Scott, CEO and co-founder of Princess Productions

Once a researcher on That's Life, he made his name as a pin-up correspondent for LWT's Eyewitness before breaking into production withThe Word. Princess Productions was valued at £20m in a takeover bid by Elisabeth Murdoch's company Shine.

48. (21) Michael Grandage, Theatre Director, Donmar Warehouse

Grandage, 44, a one-time jobbing actor, is one of Britain's most highly regarded theatre directors, currently artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse. Recently directed the acclaimed Frost/Nixon, about the interviews between Sir David Frost and the former US president.

49. (NEW) Evan Davis, BBC Economics Editor

Davis, 45, also hosts popular TV show Dragon's Den. Via his blog for the BBC website, Evanomics, Davis "attempts to understand the real world, using the tool kit of economics". He recently participated in the London Marathon, but was dismayed to hear a conversation about London house prices halfway through.

50. (31) Ashley Steel, Director, KPMG

Steel, 47, is a partner at the accountancy firm and a member of its UK board. She is becoming something of a gay figurehead in the City for her willingness to speak out about on what is still a taboo for many firms. Head of KPMG's infrastructure and government practice and sits on various diversity committees. KPMG recently joined Stonewall's Diversity Champions programme for employers.

51. (87) Sir Antony Sher, Actor, Author and Playwright

Sher, 57, cut his teeth with the Gay Sweatshop theatre group back in the 1970s before joining the RSC in 1982. In 1997, his portrayal of Disraeli in the film Mrs Brown was well received, and he won his second Laurence Olivier Award for his role as Stanley Spencer. He was knighted in 2000.

52. (NEW) Jackie Kay, Poet and recent MBE

The poet of gender crossover and identity confusion, Glasgow-born Kay, 45, had a Nigerian father and Scottish mother but was adopted by a white Scots couple. He first collection of poems The Adoption Papers explored the theme of the cultural quest, looking for a place to "fit in". Later collections have dealt with black, feminist, lesbian and indeed Scottish issues, always with wit and luxuriant wordplay. Her first novel Trumpet featured a Scottish trumpeter revealed after his death as being a woman. Her collected poems are out this year under the title Darling.

53. (60) Ben Summerskill, Rights Campaigner

As head of the gay-rights group Stonewall since 2003, Summerskill, 45, has been invaluable in trumpeting the diversity cause in all walks of life. The former journalist and one-time Labour councillor was pivotal in campaigns for the repeal of Section 28 and the introduction of civil partnerships for gay people. Has recently turned his attention to ensuring workplace equality and stamping homophobia out of schools.

54. (39) Julian Clary, Television Host

Clary is branching out. He will appear in Neighbours shortly, and also presented a BBC children's programme The Underdog Show. He continues to write for the New Statesman. Following his autobiography, Clary's first novel Murder Most Fab will be published in August.

55. (65) Neil Tennant, Musician

The droll public face of the Pet Shop Boys became famous in 1986, after previously working as a journalist for Smash Hits. Since then, Tennant, 52, has resuscitated diva careers including those of Dusty Springfield and Liza Minnelli and lent considerable clout to lesbian and gay charitable projects. He is the executive producer for Rufus Wainwright's next album, Release the Stars.

56. (40) Matthew Bourne, Choreographer

The five-time Olivier Award winner's Swan Lake, now in its 12th year, is still touring internationally. He celebrates 20 years as artistic director of his own independent dance company New Adventures, which is reviving The Car Man for a UK tour. His Edward Scissorhands UK tour has been well received and Mary Poppins is another of his successes.

57. (NEW) James Fenton, Poet

Erudite, polymathic and intrepid, 58-year-old Fenton published his first collection Terminal Moraine at 21, joined the New Statesman as political correspondent and took himself off to report from Vietnam and Cambodia. His poetry has appeared sporadically, even grudgingly, but his influence on the poetry world is immense. Followed in the footsteps of Auden and Robert Graves by becoming Oxford professor of poetry, in 1994. He edited last year's New Faber Book of Love Poetry, to loud cheers, and has just been awarded the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry. He lives in Oxfordshire with Darryl Pinckney, the African-American writer.

58. (34) Deborah Warner, Theatre Director

Best known for her collaborations with Fiona Shaw, most notably with Electra and Hedda Gabler, Warner, 47, also dabbles in film-making, directing the Michael Gambon film The Last September. Her partner is the author Jeanette Winterson. Warner collaborates with Shaw again in Samuel Beckett's Happy Days at the National Theatre.

59. (NEW) Clare Balding, Sports Presenter

Cambridge-educated Balding, 37, was a leading amateur flat jockey and champion lady rider in the late 1980s and early 90s, but turned her hand to presenting after retiring from jockeying. With three Olympic Games and one Winter Olympics under her belt, she was awarded the Royal Society's Sports Presenter of the Year in 2003. In September 2006, she formalised her civil partnership with the Radio 4 newsreader Alice Arnold.

60. (NEW) Charlotte Mendelson, Writer

Mendelson's stock is riding high with the publication this month of her third novel, When We Were Bad, the story of a London Jewish family in turmoil. Her second, Daughters of Jerusalem, won a Somerset Maugham award and the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for an under-35 author. The TLS praised her "glowing, metaphorical and often very funny prose". Straggle-haired, aphoristic and permanently upbeat, Mendelson and her partner Joanna Briscoe - also a talented novelist - are London's top literary lesbian couple.

61. (46) Jeanette Winterson, Novelist

London's most glamorous lesbian fruit 'n' veg seller's first novel Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit stormed into print demanding attention, and she has caused a whirlwind of attention with everything she's done since. Her first children's book Tanglewreck was published last June, but it's been a while since she gave her fans a work that's worthy of her reputation. Awarded an OBE in 2006 for services to literature, she is experimenting with a part-move to France.

62. (56) Phyllida Lloyd, Theatre Director

One of the UK's most serious theatrical talents had unexpected success as creator and director of the musical Mamma Mia! in London and Broadway. Having been performed in five countries, it is now to be made into a feature film, for which Lloyd, 49, will make her feature directing debut. Lloyd directed Peter Grimes for Opera North which won a South Bank Show award earlier this year.

63. (48) Sir Adrian Fulford, Judge

Sir Adrian Fulford, 54, the first judge to be out in Britain, is an international law and human rights expert. In 2003 he was among the first members to the judiciary to be sworn in to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. He has been a judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of England and Wales, made Recorder of the Crown Court in 2001 and was knighted in 2002.

64. (73) Matthew Parris, Political Commentator and Author

Parris, 57, spent seven years as a Conservative MP in which he featured in TV documentary attempting to live on social security payments for a week. It ended when he ran out of money to fed the electricity meter. Parris left politics for journalism and announced he was gay in a newspaper column. He is the presenter of BBC Radio 4's Great Lives biography series and is a TV regular. Parris entered into a civil partnership with his partner of 11 years, Julian Glover, last year.

65. (NEW) Alan Duncan, MP

Duncan was an out Tory long before being gay was virtually a pre-requisite of preferment. He (eventually) backed Cameron for the leadership and was made shadow Trade Secretary by him.

66. (67) Johann Hari, Columnist

The award-winning journalist and writer became the youngest journalist to have been shortlisted for the Orwell Prize last year for political writing. Reporting for The Independent and London Evening Standard has led to the 28-year old being named one of Debrett's People of the Year last year and Young Journalist of the Year by the Press Gazette awards in 2003.

67. (54) Neil Bartlett, Theatre Director and Novelist

Multi-talented director, deviser, translator, adaptor, author and performer who's spent 25 years mounting stylish productions of plays and musical theatre for the RSC, Royal Court and repertory theatres in the US. Was artistic director of the Lyric Hammersmith for 10 years. This year has adapted Oliver Twist for Boston theatre and Great Expectations for Aberystwyth, also Genet's The Maids for the Brighton Festival. His fourth novel Skin Lane was published in March.

68. (NEW) Tim Hely-Hutchinson, Publisher

Son of the eighth earl of Donoughmore, Oxford-educated Hely-Hutchinson set up Headline 20 years ago, making profits from airport thrillers. A cheeky takeover of the larger, staider Hodder & Stoughton house made him chief executive of Hodder Headline. In February last year, Hachette Livre, part of the Hachette megacorp, bought Time Warner to become the biggest consumer publishing group in the UK and installed Hely-Hutchinson as chief executive - the most important publishing CEO in the country. Lives in Berkshire with a garden designer called Sean.

69. (86) Chris Bryant, MP

Was one of the clutch of MPs who took part in the "coup" against Blair last September. Also played a key role in forcing Ruth Kelly to back down and deny Catholic adoption agencies a opt-out from new gay rights laws.

70. (NEW) Robert Taylor, CEO of Kleinwort Benson Bank, Private Bank

He was appointed CEO in 2004. By 2005 he had attracted new business of £7m, an increase of £2m on the previous year. His radical staff restructuring paid off and the bank opened three new offices in 2007 with two more due to open in 2008. Taylor is recognised as one of the top wealth and asset managers and also as a patron of the arts. He is chairman of the Whitechapel Gallery in London.

71. (94) Maggi Hambling, Artist

Artist Maggi Hambling, 61, will have a collection of her drawings from 1963 to present day featured in a new exhibition, called No Straight Lines, at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

72. (55)

CRAIG JONES

ROYAL NAVY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER

Jones, 38, is most senior publicly gay member of the military. Represented the the Navy at the Armed Forces lesbian and gay conference this year. Helped to organise the Gay Sailors march in London at Europride.

73. (57) Stephen Whitehead, Group Corporate Affairs Director, Barclays

Whitehead has held this post at the UK's third largest bank for two years. He was previously at drinks company Allied Domecq and pharmaceutical giants Lilly and Glaxo.

74. (NEW) Stevie Spring, Chief Executive, Future Magazine Publishers

Stevie Spring, 49, was appointed new chief executive of Future magazines in summer 2006 and in November unveiled a major restructuring programme. If it is successful, investors can expect a considerable recovery in the group's earnings and share price.

75. (NEW) Will Young, Singer/Actor

The Pop Idol winner of 2002 has just debuted in Noël Coward's The Vortex at Manchester's Royal Exchange. He has won two Brit awards and was nominated for Best British Single in 2007 but lost out to Take That. His second and third albums went multi-platinum and he also starred in Mrs Henderson Presents with Judi Dench in 2005.

76. (NEW) Jaspar Conran, Fashion Designer

Part of the ubiquitous Conran clan, the 47-year-old fashion designer was an early convert to the cause of high street collections with his line for Debenhams. Has also designed china for Waterford.

77. (59) Patrick Cox, Shoe Designer

Cox, 44, designed for Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and the late John Flett. His first shop opened in 1991, but it was his Wannabe collection two years later that made him.

78. (35) Gregory Doran, Author and Associate Director at the RSC

Doran brought Shakespeare alive for audiences, winning an Olivier award for his 2005 Gunpowder season at the RSC. The 48-year-old believes his greatest achievement was Macbeth with partner Sir Antony Sher and Harriet Walter which was filmed for Channel 4. In 2005, he and Sher became one of the first gay couples to form a civil partnership in Britain.

79. (47) Ben Daniels, Actor

The highly talented actor is in demand both on and off the stage and a familiar face to TV - most famously in the BBC1 series Cutting It. The 42-year-old has since played James Bond's creator in the dramatised documentary Ian Fleming - Bond Maker and taken a leading role in The State Within. His theatre credits include Sam Shepard's The God of Hell and Tales from Hollywood.

80. (NEW) Mark Gatiss, The League Of Gentlemen, Novelist

Thrillingly debonair when not playing cleaver-wielding rustic psychopaths, Durham-born Gatiss, 40, was one of the League of Gentlemen quartet who met at Bretton Hall drama school, took TV comedy by storm in the late 1990s and won the Golden Rose of Montreux. Outside the League activities, he is a dizzyingly prolific actor, script editor (especially Little Britain) and writer. He's written scripts for Doctor Who, and will appear in a forthcoming episode. And he invented the shadowy figure of Lucifer Box in two funny cod-Edwardian novels, The Vesuvius Club (for which he was named Best Newcomer at the 2006 British Book Awards) and The Devil in Amber, published last year.

81. (NEW) Barnaby Dawe, Managing Director, Heart FM

Dawe, 37, has been managing director of Heart FM, the UK's biggest local radio brand, for two years. He joined radio after stints in publishing and television. Heart is the biggest commercial radio station in London with an audience share of 7.1 per cent.

82. (NEW) Paul Burston, Novelist

Burston, 41, has been gay editor of Time Out for almost 14 years and also makes regular contributions to television and radio. Burston's first book, Shameless, was made into a TV programme for NBC. His third novel, Lovers and Losers, is out this year.

83. (62) Brian Paddick, Policeman, Deputy Assistant Commissioner

Brian Paddick, 49, the UK's most senior gay officer, is to quit as deputy assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard in May. Does a career in television beckon?

84. (82) Philip Hensher, Author, Critic

Hensher is an accomplished and eclectic novelist, drawing inspiration from Afghan history, the 12-tone scale and the House of Commons (where he once worked,) but he makes more of a splash elsewhere - in his occasionally vituperative reviews and his weekly punditry in The Independent. Exceptionally knowledgeable, much in demand as a ringer in quiz shows.

85. (68) Nick Partridge, Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust

Joined the Terrence Higgins Trust as office manager more than 20 years ago, and says that that he has worked for about five different organisations in that time as the trust has been forced to adapt its role to the changing nature of the Aids battle.

86. (78) Boy George, Musician and DJ

Released a new album. Kylie wants him to work on hers. Then there was last summer's highly entertaining spell on garbage duty community service in New York for charges relating to cocaine possession. And that small matter of a male escort claiming kidnap and bondage last month.

87. (80) Eileen Gallagher, CEO, Shed Productions

Responsible for Footballers' Wives and Bad Girls. Recent commissions won by Shed include a new drama, Rock Rivals, for ITV1, which will see the company join forces with Simon Cowell. Waterloo Road has also been recommissioned for BBC1.

88. (14) Dawn Airey, Television Executive

Left BSkyB to join multimedia group Lostar as chief executive. It lasted just over a week. She is s reported to have discovered the £30m promised war chest amounted to virtually nothing.

89. (49) Andrew Pierce, Journalist

Feared. Revered, Tenacious. Now assistant editor at The Daily Telegraph, and never off the television networks. And David Cameron was a source 17 years ago.

90. (93) Miriam Margolyes, Actress

Madame Morrible in the London stage production of Wicked and she starred in last year's television series Jam and Jerusalem. And Harry Potter's back soon too.

91. (90) Saffron Burrows, Actress

As a child she sold copies of Socialist Worker for pocket money and today she is vice president of the National Civil Rights Movement in England. Films out this year are Reign Over Me and Dangerous Parking. One-time partner of Alan Cumming; current partner of Fiona Shaw.

92. (91) HARRY RICH, Deputy Chief Executive, Design Council

Rich joined the Design Council in 1999 after a business career in industrial distribution, retailing and publishing. He leads the council's programme board and works with government and policy makers to help to shape the Design Council's strategy.

93. (98) Steve Parkinson, National Brand Director, Emap Radio

After joining Emap Radio as its marketing director in 2006, Parkinson has just been confirmed as its permanent managing director. Previously marketing director of competitors Chrysalis, his current radio and magazine charges include Kerrang!, Kiss, Heat, Q and Magic.

94. (75) Ivan Massow, Entrepreneur

He is most successful as a controversialist. Massow has flirted with politics (defected from the Tories to Labour), contemporary art (resigned as chairman of the ICA) and the insurance trade (currently embroiled in a legal dispute related to his business dealings.)

95. (NEW) Neil Spring, Edelman PR Senior Account Manager, Founder of Village Drinks

With precious few networks available to those in the City who feel forced to hide their sexuality at work, Village Drinks, the social club Spring set up for professional gay men and women, has proved a godsend. Membership has boomed to more than 4,000.

96. (NEW) Ian Watkins, Singer/Actor

Otherwise known as H, formerly of 1990s pop group Steps. His name derives from his childhood hyperactivity. He was fourth in Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year, and won plaudits for the way he came out.

97. (NEW) Matt James, Owns event company DNA

Began his career in fundraising events while working for London Lighthouse where he created the Design's for Life fashion show in 1998. Went on to establish his own event production company, DNA, which has produced several of Elton John's annual White Tie and Tiara balls.

98. (101) Tom Konig-Oppenheimer, Event Manager

Along with his business partners Julietta Dexter and Daniel Marks, Konig-Oppenheimer runs one of the UK's most powerful fashion and lifestyle PR businesses, The Communications Store. Plans to marry partner Adam Beaumont Brown this week.

99. (NEW) Steve Jewitt-Fleet, Head of Consular Communications at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Jewitt-Fleet, 38, is responsible for the media campaigns that promote the safety of British nationals travelling overseas. He has worked in four government departments over 11 years.

100. (50) Nigel Coates, Architect

The 58-year-old, who was behind the Body Zone in the Millennium Dome, is currently professor of architecture at the Royal College of Art. His work at the college involves focusing on a unitary approach to the design on public space.

101. (NEW) David McVicar, Opera Director

McVicar, 40, from Glasgow, studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. His Madam Butterfly is at the Theatre Royal.

Judge and jury

Each person's ranking is above their name with last year's position in brackets.

Contributors: Hugo Eyre-Varnier, David Benedict, Marcus Field, Damian Barr, Suzi Feay, Andrew Murray-Watson, Beth Dadswell, Mike Higgins, John Walsh, Francis Elliott, Marie Woolf, Katy Guest.

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