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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
Matthew Bunn

10 famous people Nottinghamshire has given the world

From featuring on the big screen, through to music and sport stars, Nottinghamshire is home to some of our country's most celebrated celebrities. The likes of Jake Bugg and Kate Beckinsale are among those that come to mind straight away.

We've taken a look at just 10 of those famous faces to come from our county. This is not an exhaustive list - and is in no particular order - but some of the entries may surprise you.

1. Wes Morgan

Wes Morgan, left, with the Premier League (Getty Images)

Well, it is World Cup season, so we couldn't start our list any other way. Wes is certainly not the only footballer to come from the area - the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Andy Cole and Viv Anderson all have their roots in the county.

Read more: Jonnie Irwin was 'axed from A Place in the Sun after cancer diagnosis'

But Wes' exploits at Nottingham Forest and later with rivals Leicester City have cemented him as a legend at both clubs. Born in Nottingham, his youth career began at Notts County and then at Dunkirk, before he went on to play 352 games for Forest between 2002-2012. He then left for Leicester where, in 277 games, he became a Premier League and FA Cup winner, captaining the side during their most successful ever period.

2. Vicky McClure

Is any list on Nottingham's most famous people complete without Vicky? We certainly don't think so. The BAFTA-winning actress, best known for playing Kate Fleming in Line of Duty, is a fierce ambassador for our city.

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure joins hundreds of people at Alzheimer's Society's fundraising Memory Walk at Wollaton Park in Nottingham (PA)

Born in Wollaton, she first made a name for herself as Lol in This is England, with other credits including Broadchurch, Alex Rider, The Secret Agent and The Replacement. Her more recent credits include Trigger Point and Without Sin, which was filmed in Nottingham and is awaiting release.

3. Torvill and Dean

Again, it is not a list of famous Nottinghamshire celebrities without Torvill and Dean - and we certainly can't separate the UK's most celebrated ice skating pair. Jayne grew up in Clifton and went to Clifton Hall Girls' Grammar School. She worked as an insurance clerk for Norwich Union, keeping the job until she was offered a council grant after the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Meanwhile, Christopher grew up in Calverton and attended Colonel Frank Seely School, where he was captain of the football team. At the age of 16 he left and joined Nottinghamshire Police.

They fell in love with ice skating at the old Nottingham Ice Stadium, and the rest is history.

4. Mary Earps

Mary Earps of England makes a save during a cross in the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 final match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on July 31, 2022 (Getty Images)

England's UEFA Women's Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper Mary Earps hit the headlines as her outstanding performance in the net helped England to glory. Born in Nottingham, Mary used to play for West Bridgford Colts and now plays for Manchester United.

She was named in the team of the tournament during the Euros and, outside football, she has a degree in Information Management and Business Studies.

5. Bella Ramsey

Bella Ramsey pictured on stage. (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

Bella Ramsey shot to fame in 2016 as she played the formidable Lyanna Mormont in HBO-hit Game of Thrones. Her portrayal of the no-nonsense leader led the Hollwood Reporter to name her as the breakout star of season six.

She went on to perform in season seven and eight, in a role stretching nine episodes. But she has not stopped since her breakout role, with performances in His Dark Materials, and The Worst Witch.

She will play the lead role of Ellie in US post-apocalyptic drama The Last of Us, due for release next year.

6. Robert Harris

One of the UK's most prolific novelists, Robert Harris was born in Nottingham in 1957 and launched his fiction career with the celebrated Fatherland, a dystopian view of the world if the Nazis had emerged victorious from the Second World War.

His other notable works have included an Officer and a Spy and Munich, which went on to become a Netflix movie.

7. Ian Place

Ian is best known as the drummer and final remaining original member of Deep Purple, often being cited as among the best drummers of all time. Since forming in 1968, Deep Purple has gone on to record a number of hits, including Smoke on the Water, but has had a number of members, Ian being the only constant.

In addition to his time with Deep Purple, Ian has also played with Whitesnake.

8. John Boot

John Boot is perhaps not a name known widely today, but here in Nottinghamshire we know him as the founder of the county's biggest employer, pharmaceutical giant Boots. Born in Radcliffe-on-Trent, John Boot set up a medicinal herbal remedy shop in Goosegate in the 1800s, after a bout of ill health forced him to change from his agricultural career.

He had one child with his wife Mary - Jesse - who would go on to launch the beginnings of the Boots we know today.

9. Ed Balls

Ed Balls on GMB (ITV)

Renowned politician, writer - and unexpected Strictly Come Dancing Star - Ed Balls was born in Norwich but moved to Nottingham at the age of eight. After attending school in Keyworth, he went on to the private Nottingham High School.

In his political career, Balls served as secretary of state for children, schools and families and was shadow chancellor from 2011-2015. He was among the most high-profile Labour politicians to lose their seat in the 2015 general election.

10. Lennie James

Lennie James played DCI Tony Gates on Line of Duty (BBC/World Productions/Ed Miller)

The film and TV actor - who starred in the first series of Line of Duty as DCI Tony Gates - was born in Nottingham in October 1965, later moving to South London.

His other roles include Morgan Jones in Fear the Walking Dead and the voice of Barnabas in Peter Rabbit 2.

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