Now Santa's hung up his sack and New Year's passed in a drunken haze, our stars are faced with the prospect of weeks of gloomy winter weather. The very thought is enough to send them rushing straight back to rehab to pull the covers over their depressed, world-weary heads. Since we wouldn't want this week's birthday boys and girls to sink into the January blues, we decided a vacation would be just the thing to ensure they're bursting with energy as we head into 2008. Whether it's a sneaky afternoon off work or a four months cruising the globe, they're sure to come back full of beans and ready to launch themselves headlong into another year. Hurrah! Let's hope they bring us back a stick of rock to show their gratitude.

Helen Worth

How many candles? Gail Platt's alter-ego turns 57 on Monday.

DS' birthday present: Helen's far too busy on the Corrie set to grab any time off, but we all know a change is as good as a rest. To that end, we've booked her an appointment with celebrity crimper Nicky Clarke so she can finally do something about that hair after 33 years.

Rod Stewart

How many candles? The Scottish rocker is 63 on Thursday.

DS' birthday present: Rod has his work cut out to keep up with Penny Lancaster these days, so we've sent him to the mecca of ballroom dancing to learn to strut his stuff. Blackpool might be a bit nippy at this time of year, so we've thrown in a fetching bobble hat so he doesn't go catching his death.

Mel C

How many candles? Sporty Spice celebrates her 34th birthday on Saturday.

DS' birthday present: Mel must be desperate to climb off that crazy reunion bandwagon for a few hours, so we've whisked her off to a meditation retreat to clear her head. An afternoon away from Geri and those screaming Spice babies will have her feeling sane again in no time.

Heather Mills

How many candles? The former Lady McCartney enters her fifth decade on Saturday.

DS' birthday present: Since Heather's celebrating an extra-special birthday this week, we've treated her to a luxury, round-the-world cruise. Such a generous gesture may clean out our piggy bank for the rest of the year, but four months without Mucca? Priceless.

Orlando Bloom

How many candles? The Pirates of The Caribbean star is 31 on Sunday.

DS' birthday present: Orlando must be missing all that swashbuckling malarkey now he's no longer having adventures with Captain Jack. He'll soon feel better when he discovers we've booked him on the next plane to Florida so he can relive the whole experience on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World.