Purnell's place in history

It's a little-known fact that Purnell's place in history goes back to the Renaissance. Here he is pictured with the 12 disciples in Michelangelo's Last Supper. Photograph: Public domain

The current culture secretary is no stranger to parliament - here he's pictured with Guy Fawkes and others involved in the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. Photograph: Public domain

A revolutionary Purnell takes his place alongside Lenin in Red Square in 1917, replacing Trotsky. Photograph: Public domain

In one of Stalin's most famous faked photos of the 1930s, a commisar was airbrushed to make room for Purnell. Photograph: Public domain

Having made his mark with the Soviet leadership, Purnell then turned up in late 1930s Germany. Photograph: Public domain

It's a cultural revolution as Purnell appears in 1950s Cuba. Photograph: Public domain

Purnell's personal contribution to culture is often overlooked. Here he joins the Goons in a 1950s recording session. Photograph: Public domain

Purnell is in the frame following John F Kennedy's assassination in 1963. Photograph: Public domain

He scores again, taking credit for England's 1966 World Cup victory. Photograph: Public domain

One giant leap: Purnell's ambitions know no bounds as he joins the 1969 moon landings. Photograph: Public domain

Another cultural landmark: Purnell joins the Beatles for their 1969 Abbey Road photo shoot. Photograph: Public domain

The search for culture extended to other galaxies in the Star Trek of the 1970s. Photograph: Public domain

By the early 1980s, Purnell had made his way to Boston to appear in the sitcom Cheers. Photograph: Public domain

Face time: the 1980s also saw Purnell joining the likes of Boy George as a guest on The A Team. Photograph: Public domain

Eschewing the big hair of the 1980s, Purnell chose his trademark neat coiffeur and tie to join 1984's Band Aid. Photograph: Public domain

Purnell shows he's several steps ahead of Gordon Brown by dancing with Margaret Thatcher. Photograph: Public domain

Like the referee, Purnell looks the other way during the infamous 1986 Maradona 'Hand of God' incident. Photograph: Public domain

Another iconic moment: Purnell joins the lone protester attempting to stop tanks in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Photograph: Public domain

Showing a typical feel for the zeitgeist, Purnell wove his spell at Hogwarts with the cast of Harry Potter. Photograph: Public domain