by Stuart Milne

Making it big on the pages of Hello and Heat means nothing if you’ve not got a car to match your celeb status.

But styles and fashions change and many of them appear for sale on Auto Trader – in fact we’ve had more than a hundred of them over the past couple of years.

So relax and let us take you through the world of celeb-owned cars...

In the news...

Ex-Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore was handed a ban from FIA-sanctioned motorsports earlier this week, but we spotted his old Bentley Turbo Rfor sale last month. Over in the Brawn GP camp things are better, but that didn’t stop Jenson Button flogging his Bugatti Veyron.

On the football field, Michael Owen netted a last-gasp goal for Manchester United in their 4-3 over local rivals Man City. In the past, we’ve had his old Range Rover, Jaguar XKand Ferrari 599for sale. July claimed the life of Bobby Robson, who previously owned a BMW 7 Series, and at this week’s memorial service, Alan Shearerwas among those to pay tribute to the former England manager.

On the box...

Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens, with card-carrying petrolhead Joe Calzaghe the show’s biggest star. In the past, we’ve had his old Land Rover Discovery, BMW M5, Mercedes SLand BMW M3for sale. Other reality TV stars’ cars include Alan Sugar’s Rolls Royce Phantom, Declan Donnelly’s BMW Z3and Abi Titmuss’ Mini Convertible.

Ian Wright’s new chat show has also recently kicked off, to mixed reviews. But don’t feel too sorry for him – he’s previously owned an Aston Martin DB7and a Mercedes SL500both of which have appeared for sale on Auto Trader.

A pair of F1 pundits have had their old cars advertised. Martin Brundle’s BMW M5 was listed back in 2007, while Eddie Jordan has had his old Morgan Plus 4featured.

And on the subject of motorsport, former F1 legend Damon Hill has had his Mercedes SL55 AMGfor sale, while late rally aces Richard Burns and Colin McRae have had their Peugeot 206 GTiand Radical SR3advertised for sale. Even Michael Schumacher’s old Ferrari teammate, Eddie Irvine had an old friend pop-up – a retractable-doored BMW Z1.

Even ex-TFI Friday star, Chris Evans – who recently announced he’d be taking over from Terry Wogan on the Radio 2 breakfast show – gets a look-in, with a Ferrari 328GTSand a Ferrari 550 Maranelloadvertised.

Musicians...

Cars and music have been perfect bedfellows since Leo Fender and Les Paul knocked up their first electric guitars. The Who legend Roger Daltrey was recorded as a previous owner of a Ferrari 246 Dino GTS, while bandmate Pete Townshend’s old Ferrari 550 Maranellowas also advertised.

Fellow rock god Nick Mason advertised his Audi RS6 Avant, while Eric Clapton has previously owned a Ferrari 550 Maranelloand fellow Ferrari fan Rod Stewart’s old Ferrari F430 Spiderand Ferrari 575 Maranellohave both cropped up.

Status Quo rocker Rick Parfitt sold his Bentley Arnage, only to appear on Auto Trader shortly afterwards and Adrian Smith of British heavy metal stalwarts Iron Maiden had his old Jaguar XJ-S listed.

And at other ends of the musical spectrum, Frank Sinatra’s Chrysler LeBaronappeared and New Order and Joy Division’s bassist Peter Hook had a Mitsubishi Shogunadvertised. Even Jools Holland has made an appearance with an old Bentley Turbo R.

More recent stars include Jay Kay, who had his old Ferrari 360 Spider, Ferrari 456 GTand Porsche Cayennefor sale, and Ordinary Boys frontman, Preston who previously owned a Jaguar XJ-Sthat was advertised for sale.

Take That mainman Gary Barlow’s old Porsche Cayenneappeared, as did an Audi A3once owned by Sporty Spice Mel C and Madonna’s old BMW 7 Series.

Royalty

But it’s not just celebs that feature as previous owners on cars for sale on Auto Trader, but royalty too. A Mercedes vanbuilt for the Sultan of Brunei to watch camel racing was advertised, as was a Porsche 911 Turbo S, while the award for the most unlikely car for a king to drive, goes to the Ford Sierra Cosworththat was once owned by the King of Jordan.

Gallery: click below to find out what the WAGs drive

Still looking for more celeb car news? Check out our celebrity car section.