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Know zilch about Beatles? No entry into UK

August 22, 2003 19:18 IST

Who is Yoko Ono?

If you don't know the answer, and visiting Britain, chances are the immigration officials will be mighty displeased and pack you off to where you came from.

A group of six Brazilians discovered exactly this at the Heathrow Airport when they 'failed a quiz' about the Fab Four.

The group was given the impromptu test by officials after they claimed to be traveling to Britain for Liverpools' Mathew Street Festival, which celebrates the lives of the Beatles.

The Liverpool Daily Post quoted Bill Heckle, the organiser of the festival, saying the Brazilians did not know the answers to several simple questions posed by Portuguese-speaking immigration officials.

"They were stumped when asked who Yoko Ono was and erroneously told officials that Ringo Starr had died," the paper quoted Heckle as saying.

A spokeswoman for the home office confirmed that the six Brazilians were refused entry into Britain.

The six were among a group of 72 people on an organised tour from Rio de Janeiro. The rest of the party was allowed through immigration and continued their journey to Liverpool for the festival.

Agencies

AGENCIES