Let's make this birthday one to remember.

77 years old (Born on August 23, 1947)

Happy Birthday, Willy Russell! May your day be as delightfully witty and refreshingly insightful as Rita's spirited classroom debates. You've educated us all on life's quirks through unforgettable characters—whether it's the charming chaos of "Our Day Out" or the transformative journey in "Educating Rita." Your plays continue to resonate, proving that laughter truly is timeless.

Congratulations once again for crafting stories so compelling they've earned multiple Laurence Olivier Awards—and countless standing ovations. Here's hoping this birthday brings you joy worthy of a curtain call (and perhaps fewer dramatic plot twists than usual). Cheers to another year filled with creativity and applause!