People you didn't know had won an Oscar

Clint, Nicholson, Streep, Spielberg – they've all got Oscars coming out of their ears. But there are some people you simply wouldn't have thought would have a shiny gold man in the downstairs toilet.

It goes to show that you really shouldn't rule anyone out. There's hope for Pam St. Clement (aka Pat Butcher) yet...

And the Oscar goes to... Peter Capaldi (1994)

The sweariest man in the UK (which pretty much makes him the sweariest man in the world) has an Oscar. Who knew? We thought Scottish actor Capaldi made his name as filthy-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker in 'The Thick of It' and the 'In The Loop'.

But actually, it was writing and directing mini-comedy 'Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life', which won the Oscar for Live Action Short Film in 1994. It starred Richard E. Grant as Kafka and co-starred veteran actor Ken Stott.

And the Oscar goes to... Eminem (2003)

Though some of his lyrics have bordered on the psychotic, that didn't scare the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Nope, they let the Detroit rap star less well known as Marshall Bruce Mathers III join their ranks in 2003, gifting him Best Original Song for 'Lose Yourself' from his semi-autobiographical film '8 Mile'. But he wasn't there to pick it up from Barbra Streisand. Instead he was dozing at home in Michigan, while watching cartoons with his daughter Hailie. Keeping it real, basically.

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And the Oscar goes to... Phil Collins (1999)

When most people think of Phil Collins, they think 'Grumpy drummer, lives in Switzerland. Bald'. They might not necessarily think 'Oscar winner'. But that he most certainly is.

Amazingly it wasn't for his acting in 'Buster', instead he scooped a gong for his soundtrack to the animated version of 'Tarzan' for Disney in 1999. He even sang it in German, Italian, Spanish and French for the different territories.

And the Oscar goes to... Donald Duck(1943)

One of the weirdest Oscar wins ever. Disney favourite Donald Duck appeared in US propaganda ‘toon ‘Der Fuehrer’s Face’, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short in 1943. It features Donald as a reluctant Nazi forced to work in a nightmarish Third Reich factory. At one point he does a Nazi salute. It’s an animation classic, but Disney kept it out of circulation for years ‘cos of the subject matter.

And the Oscar goes to... The Beatles (1970)

Once the Beatles had morphed from cheeky moptop Scousers into beardy psychedelic spacemen, critical plaudits became an everyday occurrence. In 1970, the documentary 'Let It Be', which played fly-on-the-wall while they made their album of the same name, saw them win for Best Original Song Score. They crushed competition from the great Henry Mancini and 'A Boy Named Charlie Brown' by Rod McKuen.

And the Oscar goes to...The IMAX Corporation(1997)

Surely one of the only corporations to ever win an Oscar. The cinema company were given a special Scientific and Technical Award in 1997 for their services to ruddy great screens. Well deserved we say.

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And the Oscar goes to... Three 6 Mafia (2005)

'Who?!' was the collective declaration when Memphis rap crew Three 6 Mafia were announced winners of the 2005 Academy Award for Best Original Song, for the decidedly un-Oscar-ly tune 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp'. It was used in 'Hustle & Flow'. It helped that star Terrence Howard had been nominated for Best Actor, but he must have been proper miffed that they won and he didn't.

And the Oscar goes to... Isaac Hayes (1972)

It's a sad fact of life that some might only know Isaac Hayes as the man who sang 'Chocolate Salty Balls' as Chef on 'South Park'. Just some, mind. Most will know him as the legendary voice of Stax Records, and notably the singer of 'Theme From Shaft'.

It was thanks to this moment of deep funk that he found himself wandering up to accept the gong for Best Original Song, only the third African American ever to be given an Oscar after Sidney Poitier and Hattie McDaniel.

And the Oscar goes to... Goldie Hawn (1969)

Yes, that Goldie Hawn. The Goldie Hawn best known for her ditzy blondes in 'Private Benjamin' and 'Bird On A Wire'. But nevertheless, Kate Hudson's mum stormed the 1969 Academy Awards, scooping the gong for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the slightly dark comedy caper 'Cactus Flower', no mean feat when sharing the screen with big guns like Walter Matthau and Ingrid Bergman. Hats off.

And the Oscar goes to... Lionel Richie (1985)

It's not overwhelmingly surprising to learn that former Commodore Lionel Richie has an Oscar at home, but what was it for? Something ace like 'All Night Long'? 'Dancing On The Ceiling'? No, it was for the saccharine cheese of 'Say You, Say Me', which featured in the film 'White Nights'. Well, an Oscar is an Oscar, eh?