Firstborns 'more apt to become rock stars'

Research released today reveals firstborns are more than 3.5 times more likely than siblings to become rock stars – while youngest children are more than twice as likely to become successful actors than their siblings.

Middle children could be pre-destined for a life in politics, according to the findings.

The research team studied 100 personalities encompassing the last 20 British Prime Ministers, British pop stars, sports personalities, BAFTA-winning actors and self-made multi-millionaires to discover links between birth order and occupation.

Three quarters of the study sample of rock stars were oldest or only children, with common traits such as being ambitious, energetic, people pleasers who crave approval.

Such stars following this trend include Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and only children Van Morrison, Elton John and Eric Clapton.

Middle children are more likely to become the Prime Minister, with 67 per cent more chance than their siblings.

Traits commonly associated with middle children included diplomacy, a competitive nature and a tendency to be peacemakers. David Cameron, Nick Clegg and former premier Gordon Brown are all middle children along with Tony Blair, Anthony Eden, Neville Chamberlain and David Lloyd George.

Furthermore, there was a trend for Prime Ministers to come from large families of between three and six children.

Youngest children are more than twice as likely to become actors than their older siblings.

Half of the study sample of actors were youngest children, commonly characterised by personality traits such as risk-taking, attention seeking, hard working and a sense of humour.

Statistician Dr Geoff Ellis conducted the research to mark the launch of UKTV Gold's Outnumbered series.