James, Allardyce and Goebbels: Six of the Shortest Reigns in History

With Diane James resigning as UKIP leader after less than three weeks in post, we take a look at some of the most notorious shortest reigns.

Diane James —  UKIP Leader — 18 Days

Not many people had heard of her when she was elected to succeed Nigel Farage just a few weeks ago.

And it's likely to stay that way after Ms. James quickly vacated the post without any real explanation.

Diane James, the new leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), speaks at the party's annual conference in Bournemouth, Britain, September 16, 2016

© AFP 2023 / DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS

Could Mr. Farage be on his way back?

Sam Allardyce — England Manager  — 67 Days

The England post was Allardyce's "dream job" as a manager. But it all turned sour after he was secretly filmed by The Telegraph newspaper giving advice on how to get around FA transfer rules.

#BREAKING England manager Sam Allardyce leaves job by mutual consent — FA pic.twitter.com/xj8VauQskI

— AFP news agency (@AFP) September 27, 2016​

His bosses didn't take kindly to that and "Big Sam" was shown the door.

Pat Glass — Shadow Education Secretary — 2 Days

Jeremy Corbyn appointed Glass as shadow education secretary. Ms. Glass described it as her "dream job."

Great to be campaigning in Northumberland with @BVLabour & @LabourNorth for @UKLabourIN. We're in for the North! pic.twitter.com/fBXQqEz2dt

— Pat Glass (@PatGlassMP) May 24, 2016​

But two days later she resigned, describing the current situation within the Labour party as "untenable."

Chris Evans — Top Gear Host — 1 Series

Chris Evans was another who was delighted to have found his "dream job." But intense media pressure and a series of scandals hit the show.

Viewers also criticized the chemistry with his co-host Matt Le Blanc. So, Evans quit after just one series.

Joseph Goebbels — German Chancellor — 5 Hours

With Adolf Hitler in his bunker contemplating suicide, he appointed Minister for Propaganda Joseph Goebbels as the next Chancellor of the Reich.

Joseph Goebbels, Third Reich Commissioner for Radio and Propaganda, is shown in the 1930s.

© AP Photo

But defeat in the war inevitable, Goebbels followed Hitler in committing suicide just five hours later.

King Edward VIII — British King — 325 Days

Edward became the British monarch on January 20, 1936. But less than a year later he was gone, as he abdicated in order to marry Wallis Simpson.

Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) on tour of #India 1921
wearing Indian Military uniform — 36th Jacob's Horse regiment pic.twitter.com/LuoKdxWpWU

— Dr Irfan Malik (@dr_irfanmalik) October 5, 2016​

He wasn't the shortest reigning monarch ever though. That accolade goes to Lady Jane Grey, who reigned for only nine days in 1553.