Celebs who fought to regain their place in the limelight…

Robert Downey Jr
Comeback rating
*****
Between 1996 and 2001 Rob was frequently arrested on drug-related charges and his career was spiralling downwards. In 2008 he made his long-awaited comeback as Tony Stark in the hugely successful Iron Man (watch out for the second instalment of this trilogy, due for release this year). He received critical acclaim for his performance in Tropic Thunder and starred as Sherlock Holmes in the eponymous movie for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Upcoming projects include Due Date, Cowboys and Aliens and The Avengers.

Benni McCarthy
Comeback rating
*
After plenty of mudslinging with Safa in 2008, it seemed as if all the action was taking place off the pitch when it came to Benni. The lethal striker was left out of the Bafana Bafana squad in the 2009 Confederations Cup but was recalled with the return of Carlos Alberto Parreira as national coach. With Benni back on the field, fingers are crossed as to whether he can summon the skill and experience needed to put those balls in the back of the net.

Michael Schumacher
Comeback rating
**
Schumi, as he’s affectionately known, holds the record for the most Formula One Championship titles – a staggering seven. He retired as Ferrari driver in 2006, then took up the role of consultant for the motor group.

In 2009 the most revered man in racetrack history announced his return this year to race for Mercedes, having signed a three-year contract with the motor giant. Why? ‘After three years
I regained the energy I’m feeling now,’ he said in a press statement. Here’s to an exciting F1 season!

Lance Armstrong
Comeback rating
****
Having battled an aggressive form of testicular cancer, Lance went on to win a record seven
Tour de France victories. In 2005, much to the disappointment of his fans, the cycling champ announced his retirement. But he returned to the world of cycling at the age of 38 last year, coming third in the Tour de France, and he’s confirmed his participation in the 2010 race as well. He’s clearly not fazed about being an older athlete. We wonder if he’ll ever slow down?

Britney Spears
Comeback rating
***
Britney catapulted to fame in her teens with her hit song ‘Baby One More Time’. Her problems began in 2006 after her marriage to K-Fed ended. She hit a bad low that almost ruined her career. Rumoured to be suffering from depression, Britney neglected her children and her health. In 2008 her father gained control of her estate and with his guidance Britney managed to release her sixth studio album, Circus. In 2009 she embarked on her first world tour in five years.

Whitney Houston
Comeback rating
**
In the 1980s and early 1990s Whitney was at the top of her game, but a tumultuous 14-year marriage to bad-boy Bobby Brown nearly ruined her career. After releasing Just Whitney in 2002 she disappeared from the music scene for seven years, during which she divorced Bobby. In 2009 she released the longawaited I Look to You, and in January she released Whitney Houston: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition, ahead of her 2010 UK tour. Critics are not being kind though.

Mickey Rourke
Comeback rating
****
Mickey starred in a string of successful movies in the 1980s with critics comparing him to Marlon Brando. In the 1990s he even had a stint as a boxer. Unfortunately he started boozing and did nothing really significant until Sin City in 2005. In 2008 he landed the lead role in The Wrestler, for which he got an Oscar nomination. Says Mickey: ‘What I’ve got to do now is let them judge me for who I am as an actor and not for my notoriety.’ Catch him in Iron Man 2, The Expendables and Passion Play, all due out this year.