2010: 90,000 Name Changes
Published: 12th December 2010
A RECORD number of people changed their names by deed poll this year – including bizarre new ones for a sweets fanatic and a King of Pop lookalike.
Jelly Tots lover Jane Nash, from Manchester, is now Miss Jelly St Tots after a friend bought her the new name for her 40th birthday.
And Papy Elungu, 33, of Chingford, North East London, became Michael Jackson after being told he resembled the late music superstar.
More than 90,000 swapped their names in 2010, an increase of 80%.
An online poll made David Lennox, 29, of Aberdeen, go for Her Majesty The Queen in aid of cancer research. And John Denton, 33, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, is Willy Wonka after raising funds for a similar cause.
Football mad Scouser Jack Crookes is now Jack Steven Gerrard Crookes as a 16th birthday gift from his mum. He said: "It's the best present ever."
The Legal Deed Poll Service said: "Many sought to make the alteration due to divorce, boredom or to bring a bit of cheer to their lives."
3Warner Bros forced a fitness instructor to change her business name Penelope Fitstop – because it infringes Wacky Races copyright.
Louise Whyte, 38, of Orpington, Kent, was a fan of cartoon character Penelope Pitstop but the film giant owns the rights and planned to sue.
Louise, who renamed it Penelope Fitstar, said: "I was shocked."
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