Di Canio was once a member of a hardcore right-wing fan group that follows his hometown team Lazio -- the club where he started his career and later got into trouble when he returned, when he made straight-arm salutes to the crowd in 2005.

CNN: Di Canio hits back: 'I am not a fascist'

"I have a couple of friends, and we wish that when we go to vote, we could just write in 'Josiah Bartlet' for president, " said a "West Wing" fan from South Carolina as she stood outside the White House in Washington.

CNN: A presidential sheen

But his biggest fan was the legendary Edith Piaf - who took Aznavour under her wing.

BBC: Aznavour bids adieu