the retro hour: 2006
We've been through the archive and compiled everything we think you need to know about the year. To make it easier for you to find what you're looking for, everything is organised into categories.
the top stories
Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging by the Iraq High Tribunal.
Charles Kennedy resigned as Lib Dem leader after admitting that he had been battling a drink problem.
British hostage Norman Kember was freed after being held for 118 days by militants in Iraq.
John Humble was jailed for eight years for sending the Wearside Jack hoax tape and letters during the search for the Yorkshire Ripper.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott admitted having a two-year affair with one of his secretaries.
Australian crocodile hunter Steve Irwin was killed in an attack by a stingray while filming a TV show.
Tony Blair promised to step down as Prime Minister within 12 months in a bid to fend off critics urging him to quit sooner or immediately.
on the chart
The Kaiser Chiefs played two sell-out shows in Millennium Square in Leeds.
The Who made an emotional return to the Refectory at the University of Leeds, the setting for their classic 1970 album Live at Leeds.
Thousands of people flocked to Roundhay Park to see Robbie Williams in concert.
Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills announced their separation after fewer than four years of marriage.
on the tv and at the cinema
Unknown Essex girl Chantelle Houghton beat Michael Barrymore to win Celebrity Big Brother.
Leeds actress Gaynor Faye was celebrating after winning the celebrating skating competition Dancing on Ice.
Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary after cheating death in a high-speed crash at Elvington, near York.
Audrey Hepburn’s black Givenchy dress, from the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s, sold for nearly half a million pounds at auction in London.
sports achievements and milestones
Excitement was at fever pitch in Germany as the hosts and Costa Rica kicked off the World Cup in Munich. The competition was won by Italy who beat France on penalties but the game was marred by Zinadine Zidane’s headbutting incident.
Leeds United’s bid for promotion to the Premiership ended in a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Watford at the Millennium Stadium. As the new season started badly, United sacked Kevin Blackwell and appointed Dennis Wise as the new manager.
Leeds snooker star, Paul Hunter, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 27.
Freddie Trueman, former Yorkshire and England fast bowler, died.
Britain won its first medal of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin as Shelley Rudman took silver in the women’s skeleton.
and finally
A temporary speed camera at roadworks on the M62 near Pontefract raked in more than £1m in fines in just 18 months.
Figures showed that office space in Leeds was more expensive than in midtown Manhatten.
Wayne Rooney signed a 12-year, £5m deal to write books charting his life story.
Sir Jimmy Savile celebrated his 80th birthday.