In a Life Insurance policy there is a difference between the insured and the policy holder. Life insurance policies can be taken out on someone else's life. Sadly there is a clause in Life Insurance policies that states that the person taking out the policy must have an 'insurable interest' in the insured. The clause is called the cestui qui vit or CQV and usually means that the person taking the policy out must actually suffer some kind of personal loss in the event of the death of the insured. This generally refers to people such as husbands, wives, parents, children or business partners.

This clause means that one cannot just take out speculative policies on someone they predict will die. Incredibly this is how life insurance began its life. In Victorian England people would take out policies on other people's lives. They would publish news of deaths in the newspaper and speculators would receive a payout. This practice was later banned as it provided a motive for murder. Shame I say. It sounds like a fun gamble and I can think of a few celebrities that would be worth a punt.

Especially after hearing that TVs Ant and Dec have insured each other's lives for a reported 2million pounds. Probably not the best punt as I imagine they are the cleanest living people on this planet. Perhaps Amy Winehouse or Pete Doherty would be a safer bet. Their reported drug abuse seems to suggest that they are destined to die young and would probably be insurable for far more. So here is my list of celebrities that I would take a punt on presuming the estui qui vit or 'insurable interest' clause did not exist.

Cliff Richard

I am convinced Cliff was pickled 30 years ago and is propped up by a team of record industry bigwigs. Technically he is already dead but no-one has allowed a doctor near him to verify it. As soon as they do you could be in for a massive payout because he is worth a lot of money.

Amy Winehouse

I fancy the reports that she is taking inhuman quantities of illegal substances are exaggerated. Nevertheless she is probably worth an outside punt and her youth would probably mean a larger payout.

The Queen

She can't live forever can she? Although the Queen mum had an incredible run into old age I predict things will be less easy for the Queen; especially with the power hungry Duchess of Cornwall looking over her shoulder. Regicide? You don't hear that often these days. The value of this policy would be innumerable.

Britney Spears

A long shot but well worth considering. After all it seems she will do anything for a bit of publicity. I would not put death beyond her marketing team. Add to this that she is probably worth billions she could be an excellent investment.

Hugh Hefner

Another one that I think is being propped up by a team of medical professionals. It's about time that one of those bunny girls finished him off and with a potential payout of millions I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Well worth a gamble.

Osama Bin Laden

They've got to catch him soon haven't they? When they do I'm sure they will find a way of manipulating local laws so that he ends up being executed. A great bet if you think they can find him.