2003
News
- In London, more than 2,000,000 people demonstrate against the Iraq War, the largest demonstration in UK history.
- Tony Blair holds a one-day summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin mocks Britain and America’s failure to locate weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
- Eurostar train number 3313/14 sets a new speed record at 334.7 km/h (208 mph) on High Speed 1.
- Brogdale, near Faversham, enters the UK Weather Records for the highest ever recorded temperature of 38.5 °C, a record which holds until July 2019. The 2003 European heat wave makes this Britain’s hottest summer for thirteen years.
- The re-built Bull Ring shopping centre in Birmingham is officially opened by Sir Albert Bore.
- Concorde makes its final commercial flights after twenty-seven years.
Entertainment
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is released to the public.
- Channel 4’s soap opera Brookside, on air since the station was launched in 1982, ends after 21 years.
- S Club announce live on stage at London’s Docklands Arena that they are to split after five years together. Their final single, “Say Goodbye”, enters the chart at #2 a month after the announcement. Rachel Stevens from the group launched her successful solo career shortly afterwards with the song “Sweet Dreams My LA Ex”.
Music
- The Eurovision Song Contest is held in Riga, Latvia. “Cry Baby”, performed by Jemini, receives no points in the voting, the worst-ever result for the UK. Some blame the United Kingdom’s involvement in the Iraq War, whilst others attribute the result to a bad performance.
- Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones receives a knighthood from Charles, Prince of Wales.
- Glastonbury Festival, U.K., headline acts included David Gray, Primal Scream, Morcheeba, The Flaming Lips, Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, Lamb, Feeder, Manic Street Preachers, and Doves.
- Ozzy Osbourne is rushed into emergency surgery after having a serious accident riding an all-terrain vehicle on the grounds of his English estate. Osbourne broke his collarbone, eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck.
Number #1 Hits of 2003
| Artist | Title |
| David Sneddon | Stop Living The Lie |
| Tatu | All The Things She Said |
| Gareth Gates Feat. The Kumars | Spirit In The Sky |
| Room 5 Feat. Oliver Cheatham | Make Luv |
| Busted | Spirit In The Sky |
| Tomcraft | Loneliness |
| R Kelly | Ignition |
| Evanescence | Bring Me To Life |
| Beyonce | Crazy In Love |
| Daniel Beddingfield | Never Gonna Leave Your Side |
| Blu Cantrell Feat. Sean Paul | Breathe |
| Elton John | Are You Ready For Love |
| Black Eyed Peas | Hole In The Head |
| Sugababes | I Hear You Knockin’ |
| Fatman Scoop & Crooklyn Clan | Be Faithful |
| Kylie Minogue | Slow |
| Busted | Crashed The Wedding |
| Westlife | Mandy |
| Will Young | Leave Right Now |
| Ozzy & Kelly Osbourne | Changes |
| Michael Andrews Feat. Gary Jules | Mad World |
Sport
- Chelsea F.C. are bought by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for a sum of £150,000,000 from current chairman Ken Bates, twenty-one years after he bought the club for £1.
- England are rugby world champions after defeating Australia 20-17 after extra time.
