In an interview in the October issue of Vogue, Wendi Deng - Rupert Murdoch's quick-fisted wife - revealed that Tony Blair was named godparent to the couple's daughter, Grace, in a glamorous christening ceremony held last year for their two youngest children (in which Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman were also named godparents).

The casual revelation came as somewhat of a surprise - Blair was nowhere to be seen in the photos that were splashed all over the pages of celebrity magazine following the event - and, some say, raises questions about the former Prime Minister's relationship with the News International tycoon.

However, Blair isn't the only surprising celebrity godparent out there. When it comes to selecting people for this important role, it seems as though the A-list turn to equally well-known names to ensure that their little ones remain in the lifestyle they no doubt become accustomed to should the worst happen.

From the odd to the unexpected, take a look at other surprise celebity godparents in the list below...

Bono

Godfather to: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's twins, Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt

Brad and Bono reportedly go way back, and Angelina deeply respects the U2 frontman’s enormous humanitarian efforts. So the high-powered pair asked him to be the godfather of their twins, Knox and Vivienne. Plus, they’re all neighbours with eye-poppingly expensive chateaus in the South of France, so it must be have been fate…

Michael Jackson

Godfather to: Lionel Richie's daughter, Nicole Richie

That’s right, the King of Pop, along with legendary music producer Quincy Jones, was named Nicole Richie’s godfather. Why? Michael and Lionel wrote We are the World together way back when, and were close (pen) pals.

Reggie Kray

Godfather to: Patsy Kensit

Patsy’s parents ensured no one would ever mess with their daughter – by naming infamous London gangster Reggie Kray as her godfather. A little bit scary? Maybe? Quite cool? Definitely.

Sophia Loren

Godmother to: Drew Barrymore

We all knew that Steven Spielberg is Drew Barrymore’s godfather (ET gave it away if you didn’t know already), but the fact that legendary big-screen goddess Sophia Loren is her godmother is definitely more under the radar. A career in acting was rather a given from the beginning…

Drew Barrymore

Godmother to: Frances Bean Cobain

Having high-wattage godparents herself, it probably came as no surprise to Drew when she was asked to be a godmother. The late Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love turned to Drew when Frances Bean came along. And, with her well-publicised girl-gone-bad-gone-good-again past, she’s the perfect person to keep Frances on track. Drew shares the godparent role with none other than REM frontman Michael Stipe.

Aretha Franklin

Godmother to: Whitney Houston

The world’s most award-winning female star, Whitney Houston, had plenty of inspiration when it came to her ground-breaking singing career. Not only are her cousins Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick, her godmother is soul-singing legend, Aretha Franklin.

Steven Spielberg

Godfather to: Gwyneth Paltrow

Steven Spielberg is one busy godfather. Not only did he have wild-child Drew Barrymore to look out for, he also took up the role for another A-list actress, Gwyneth Paltrow. As well as being been quite a handy acting contact, he also treats her to luxurious trips on his superyacht, cruising around Mediterranean gems like Sardinia.

Lady Gaga

Godmother to: Sir Elton John and David Furnish's son, Zachary Furnish-John

Lady Gaga became ‘Godmother Gaga’ when Sir Elton John and David Furnish asked her to do the honours for little Zachary Furnish-John. Elton revealed he thought the Born This Way singer would be the perfect person to guide Zachary through the music business when he inherits his ‘legacy’. Plus, he says, underneath it all, she’s a ‘simple person who loves her parents’.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Godmother to: Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal couldn't have been destined for any other career, considering his godparents are Jamie Lee Curtis and the late acting great, Paul Newman. He was practically born with A-list acting credentials…

Heath Ledger

Godfather to: Damien Hurley

Who knew the late actor Heath Ledger and Elizabeth Hurley were so close? The Batman star was named godfather of little Damien Hurley, along with no less than five other godfathers, including Liz’s ex-boyfriend of 13 years Hugh Grant, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Henry Dent Brocklehurst, and US comic Dennis Leary. His godmother is Elizabeth’s best friend, Patsy Kensit.

Elizabeth Hurley

Godmother to: Lennon Gallagher

Before Elizabeth asked Patsy to be Damien’s godmother, the actress popped the question first when she gave birth to her son with Oasis star Liam Gallagher, Lennon, in 1999. Gives a whole new meaning to 'friends with benefits'.