Here are the most popular questions Yahoo users were asking in 2023

From the unmasking of artists to the age of the sovereign, 2023 was a turbulent year which had us scratching our heads as stories unfolded, and the news often provoked as many questions as it answered.

But what questions were asked most? The results, which were pulled from hundreds of millions of searches on Yahoo in the past 12 months, reveal that we were most curious about identities - from Bansky to Huw Edwards, as well as the ages of some of the year's most prolific celebrities.

Here are the top 10 questions Yahoo users were asking about the biggest stories of the year.

1. Who is the BBC presenter taken off air?

In July, the Sun newspaper alleged that a high-profile BBC star had paid a young person for sexually explicit photos.

As rumours spread online, a number of BBC stars were forced to deny being the individual involved. After five days, Huw Edwards' wife released an emotional statement confirming his name and the fact he was receiving hospital treatment as a result of the furore.

Following the furore, the BBC announced reviews into its protocols and procedures. The Metropolitan Police has subsequently said no criminal offence took place.

Read more: Huw Edwards: The BBC’s trusted voice for Britain's most historic moments

2. What time is the coronation?

On Saturday 6 May tens of thousands of people lined the streets of London to witness the once-in-a-generation event of King Charles III's coronation. It was the UK's first coronation since 1953, and street parties were planned up and down the country to mark the occasion. But there was also some controversy surrounding the ceremony.

A number of anti-monarchist protesters were arrested ahead of the King's procession, and his brother, Prince Andrew, was booed by a crowd in the grandstand in front of Buckingham Palace. Despite predictions he may not attend, the Duke of Sussex did make an appearance for his father's big day, but flew home swiftly afterwards and was not accompanied by his wife Meghan Markle.

Read more: King Charles's coronation: The highs, lows and moments you might have missed

3. How old is Angela Rippon?

Veteran newsreader and TV presenter Angela Rippon strutted and sparkled in the Strictly Come Dancing limelight as she became the oldest celebrity to take part in the competition. 79-year-old Rippon began her journalism career at the BBC and was also one of the presenters of Come Dancing – the BBC One series that was eventually revived as Strictly in 2004.

After wowing the judges with her energy and enthusiasm, Rippon became the eighth star to leave after an impressive run all the way to Blackpool.

Read more: Strictly's Kai Widdrington Insists Angela Rippon 'Deserves' Her Place In The Competition

4. Where is Beyond Paradise filmed?

A dose of winter sun is an annual event on televisions when Death In Paradise returns to screens every January, but in 2023 the series was followed by a spin-off starring former San Marie detective DI Humphrey Goodman - played by Kris Marshall.

While Beyond Paradise is supposedly set in Devon, the show was mainly filmed in the neighbouring county of Cornwall, with many locals and holidaymakers recognising Looe town centre, bridge and fire station in many scenes.

Read more: Beyond Paradise announces festive guest stars

5. How old is King Charles?

Interest in the new King continued throughout the year, and searches asking how old Charles is were the fifth most common on Yahoo. Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, spent part of his 75th birthday on 14 November launching the Coronation Food Project. The idea, says Buckingham Palace is to "seek to bridge the gap between food waste and food need."

Read more: King Charles Is Marking His 75th Birthday Next Week With This Special Project

6. What is AI?

The world of Artificial Intelligence exploded in 2023 with tools including ChatGPT and questions around whether AI could replace humans in many lines of work. According to the IBM website, "while a number of definitions of AI have surfaced over the last few decades, John McCarthy offers the following definition in this 2004 paper: " It is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs.

"It is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but AI does not have to confine itself to methods that are biologically observable."

Read more: Here's which jobs are likely going to be the first lost to AI

7. How old is Elton John?

Sir Elton Hercules John CBE closed the curtain on live performances with a show-stopping appearance at Glastonbury. The 76-year-old, born on 25 March 1947, spent the first half of the year touring Europe for shows that had been rescheduled due to the pandemic, and finally bowed out by headlining the Glastonbury Festival on Sunday 25 June.

It was the most-watched performance in the festival’s history, watched by 7.3 million viewers across the BBC and more than 100,000 festival-goers at Worthy Farm. The singer has now retired from performing in order to focus on sons Zachary and Elijah, his various charity campaigns, and a new studio album.

Read more: Elton John’s farewell at Glastonbury breaks festival record for viewing figures

8. Who is Banksy?

The identity of renowned graffiti artist Banksy was finally revealed in November in a newly unearthed BBC interview from 2003. But mystery still surrounds the elusive artist, his character, and his whereabouts.

Former BBC reporter Nigel Wrench interviewed the renowned street artist ahead of the 2003 Turf War show in East London, where he was heard confirming his first name. Wrench asked Banksy if he could include his real name in the interview, asking the artist if he is called Robert Banks, in which he replied “ It’s Robbie.”

Read more: Who is Banksy? Everything we know about his identity

9. Where is Palestine?

On October 7 a terrorist attack on Israel near the border with Gaza sparked a war between Israel and Palestinian terror group Hamas. But many readers are not sure of where Palestine is located, or where the borders of Israel, Gaza and West Bank lie. Searches for 'where is Palestine' soared as readers endeavoured to learn more about the conflict.

The Gaza Strip, commonly known as Gaza, is located in the south-eastern Mediterranean. It borders the sea to the north-west, Egypt to the south-west and is surrounded by Israel on all other sides. It is not a part of Israel or Egypt; instead, it is one of two Palestinian territories, the other being West Bank which borders Isreal and Jordan.

Read more: Where is Gaza and who lives there? Map shows location of Palestinian territory

10. Who is Andrew Tate?

Former kickboxer, and social media influencer, Andrew Tate, is a self-proclaimed misogynist accused by three British women of controlling and coercive behaviour, and violent sexual and physical assaults.

He is currently in Romania awaiting charges of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, allegations he and his brother Tristan have denied. Prosecutors say the Tate brothers, who have dual US and British citizenship, lured seven women into making pornography by pretending to be in a relationship with them.

Read more: Who is Andrew Tate and why is he so divisive?

The data pulled by Yahoo refers to the biggest news stories of the year, and not the most popular questions overall.