Life nowadays takes place behind a curtain of trivial entertainment. Leaving cause aside, our voracious appetite for celebrity tidbits is fed by mammoth media networks, the process spewing forth an endless stream of personalities splattered by a handful of talented entertainers. Celebrity status then falls well within the grasp of the outrageous or those hungry for attention thus satisfying our thirst for all things celeb.

Our desire to be associated with those in the limelight is so great that there aren't nearly enough big stars to go round. Celebrities are in such demand that anyone lucky enough to visually resemble a TV actor, member of the monarchy or, even better, a megastar is able to make a substantial living from the spin off of their success. Normally booked by businesses to attend media events, 'faux stars' such as those from Top Lookalikes can also be hired out for private parties to really impress your friends and neighbours.

Even the BBC are joining in the celeb game with their tongue-in-cheek stock market trading game. Join in this bit of lighthearted fun as you estimate the 'tradeability' value of celebs in the news whilst you build your own personality portfolio and watch your shares soar or plummet.

Whilst we all know that Americans are obsessed with fame and fortune, there's a little part in us all that follows what the big Hollywood stars are up to. In tinseltown LA the big stars' every move is fully documented, their home addresses readily available and their residential streets and favourite dining haunts fair game for the stargazing hordes.

But many of us are now seriously striking out in a bid for our own celebrity lifestyle according to the Office for National Statistics. According to their 2006 Social Trends Report over a million of us own a second home, a quarter of these abroad. To check out how big a slice of the sun you can afford, try a visit to one of the many overseas property exhibitions taking place around the country.