In 2021 the world's sexiest man was Jewish...

Former US Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders made headlines in January, and turned into the year’s first meme. A photo of Sanders, the independent senator for Vermont, went viral after he was pictured crossed-armed and crossed-legged wearing an oversized coat and brown mittens at the inauguration of US President Joe Biden. The photo, which was taken by Brendan Smialowski, was photoshopped many times and spread across social media.

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Meme of the year: Bernie Saunders (Photo: Getty Images)

The much-loved cast of American TV series Friends, were reunited with the help of British Jewish director Ben Winston in May. Winston, who also works on The Late Late Show With James Corden, was praised for being the brains behind the two-hour episode of Friends: The Reunion — which made a number of references to the original shows Jewish writers and storylines. At the time, the son of scientist Lord Winston, told the JC that an increasing number of shows made “wonderful Jewish references” on screen, from The Marvellous Mrs Maisel, Transparent, Curb Your Enthusiasm to Shtisel and Unorthodox.

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Ben Winston (centre) with the cast of Friends

South African Jewish businessman Michael Lewis, 62 married Lady Kitty Spencer, 30 in a lavish wedding at a 17th century villa in Italy in July . There had been rumours beforehand that the artistocrat was converting to Judaism, but no details of the actual ceremony were made public — we do know though that she wore three gorgeous dresses, designed by Dolce & Gabbana.

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Lady Kitty Spencer weds Michael Lewis (Photo: Instagram)

Three Jewish athletes won medals at the Tokyo Olympics this summer; Gymnast Lilia Akhaimova helped propel Team Russia to taking the gold medal after achieving a high score; Israel’s Avishag Semberg won a bronze for taekwondo; Australia’s Jessica Fox — the daughter of Olympian Myriam Jerusalmi — took medals for canoe and kayaking. Meanwhile, basketball player Sue Bird, who is a dual Israeli-American citizen, served as a flag bearer for Team USA at the opening ceremony, whilst gold medallist Linoy Ashram carried the Israeli flag at the closing ceremony.

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Jessica Fox (Getty Images)

In November, American Jewish actor Paul Rudd, 52, (whose father comes from Edgware) was named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine. He said: “When I think about myself, I think of myself as a husband and a father.”

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Paul Rudd - the sexiest man alive in 2021

The same month, TV personality Rob Rinder won £64,000 for charity on ITV’s celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? He donated £32,000 of the winnings to communal charity Jewish Blind and Disabled. The rest went to Buttle UK, a charity helping children and young people in crisis.

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Judge Rinder wins big for charity

At the same time, celebrity bridal designer Galia Lahav was busy in her Tel Aviv studio. The Israeli dressmaker — worn by stars from Beyonce to Jennifer Lopez - found time to create a gown worn by socialite Paris Hilton, for her wedding to author Carter Reum. She described the dress as “my Cinderella Disney princess dream come true!”.

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Paris Hilton's dream wedding dress (Photo: Instagram)

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Arlene Phillips, 78, was one the oldest contestant ever in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here at Gwrych Castle in Wales in December. The choreographer was the first contestant to be eliminated from the series.

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Arlene Phillips at the castle

Jewish actress and producer Sarah Jessica Parker made a glamorous return to our screens as journalist and author Carrie Bradshaw, in the off-spin series of Sex And The City. In the And Just Like That series, cast members Cynthia Nixon (who has children with former Jewish partner Danny Mozes) returned as lawyer turned student Miranda Hobbs and Kristin Davis (whose character Charlotte York plays a Jewish convert), aome back together 23 years after the original TV series debuted, and 11 years since the second movies. In the fashion-filled series, they make nods to social changes that have taken place with more of a woke culture, political sensitivities and language. The JC’s critic , Josh Howie gave it one star.

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And just like that, four became three...

Amazingly, American actor Adam Sandler, 55, was 2021’s most googled fashion icon,it was revealed in December. Maybe Sandler’s oversized tops and chunky trainers appealed to those who piled on pounds and embraced a casual look in lockdown. He beat models and singers to the top spot.

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Fashion icon of the year, Adam Sandler (Photo: Getty Images)

Rachel Riley had two pieces of happy news to share this year. She gave birth to her second daughter, Noa in November, and in December won her libel case against Labour’s Laura Murray after a social media spat. “This has been a very draining process and I am relieved to finally have vindication.” she said.