1. Brad Pitt – Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo; Paceville, Malta & out at sea

The international movie star – who was propelled to stardom after THAT scene in Thelma & Louise – visited these small islands twice! Way back in 2002, he was in Malta filming the star-studded Troy (What? Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana and Peter O’Toole all in the same film?), in which he played the legendary Greek hero Hercules (apt) – sand and sandals ruled. A few years later, he came back. This time as a married man, to shoot a film about the breakdown of a marriage. Prescient much?

2. Angelina Jolie – Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo 

And of course, who should accompany him but his loving wife, who was not only starring opposite him in By the Sea, filmed in a purposely-made set in Mgarr ix-Xini, but was also directing the picture. It’s surprising no one bothered to inform the couple that work and love don’t mix. A few short months later, the news of the breakup was revealed. Looks like they had trouble in paradise!

3. Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Nicole Scherzinger and The Black Eyed Peas – rocking it on the Granaries!

The first live performance recorded of Lady Gaga was at none other than at the Isle of MTV in 2008, a yearly event held on The Granaries in Floriana. And, what a night it was! That year, Enrique Iglesias wowed audiences, as did One Republic. Talk about a line-up! And, Lady Gaga even returned the year after to play a set in front of thousands of people, who were also treated with sounds from The Black Eyed Peas. Yet another highlight featured Enrique Iglesias, getting on surprisingly well with Nicole Scherzinger (ahem). Lots of stars have followed since, gracing the Isle of MTV stage in Floriana every year.

4. Steven Spielberg – St Ursula Street, Valletta

In 2004, Steven Spielberg landed in Malta to shoot a story about Mossad agents tracking down and assassinating Palestinians claimed to have been involved in the terror attack on the Olympic village in Munich in 1972 (also the subject of the award-winning documentary One Day in September). The crew used various locations around the island, such as St Ursula Street in Valletta, the main square of Rabat and the backstreets of Xemxija to film one of the director’s most well-known, and personal, projects. 

5. Meghan Markle – St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta

While no one really knew who Meghan Markle was four years ago (and if they knew, they little cared), it seems her acceptance into the royal fold has had social media and entertainment reporters trawling through her past – and in Malta’s case, trying to find a link to this small rock. She has said that her great grand mother lived on the island, and she was trying to discover more about her heritage. In the course of her trip, she headed to St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta and to Gozo, where she was lucky to see the Azure Window before it disappeared into the sea forever. 

6. Jamie Oliver – various locations, including Valletta

He may be going through quite a bit of trouble recently (many of his restaurants have been forced to close in the UK and on the continent), but we’ll always have a special spot in our hearts for Jamie Oliver – and his lasagne! Joking apart, the man himself was on these little rocks, tasting some wine and savouring some of Malta’s traditional rabbit dishes. He left satiated, commenting on the size of the portions and the “astonishing” Maltese tomato paste. We hear you Jamie. 

7. Geena Davis – entrance of Mdina

This may seem like ancient times for some, but back in the early ‘90s, Geena Davis (yes, Brad Pitt’s co-star in Thelma & Louise) was riding riot and portraying the fearless Morgan Adams on the shoot for Cutthroat Island. It may have completely bombed at the box office, but the sight of Ms Davis at the entrance of Mdina will be forever imprinted in the minds of many school children (including myself) exiting the walls of the ancient capital when school finished for the day. 

8. Tom Hanks – at the cinema!

When everyone’s-favourite-actor Tom Hanks came to Malta, he kept a very low profile, with few people even recognising him. No bodyguards, no entourage – that anyone could see - Mr Hanks is the quintessential everyman. He even went to watch a film at the cinema – and no one recognised him! You couldn’t make this up!