'Famous' people from Leicester(shire) - listed alphabetically by surname and artist...
A list of notable people born or bred in Leicester and Leicestershire who have made a notable contribution to the area - but in most cases beyond this area; many have been recognised world-wide, perhaps for their contribution to either music, television, film, radio, sport, business, literary, education, community, politics, the visual and performing arts.
We are adding to this list all the time, so for anyone you think we may have missed, please contact Visit Leicester.
Leicester City Council is not responsible for the content or services on external websites.
Laurel Aitken
Born 1927 – Singer
Lorenzo Aitken, born in 1927 and better known as Laurel Aitken, was a singer and one of the originators of Jamaican Ska music. Often referred to as the ‘Godfather of Ska’, Aitken lived in Leicester from 1970. He died in 2005. > Read more about Laurel Aitken on Wikipedia
David Attenborough
Born 1926 – Broadcaster & Naturalist
David Atenborough grew up on the campus of University College, Leicester, where his father was principal. His career as the respected face and voice of British natural history programmes has endured for more than 50 years. He is best known for writing and presenting the nine "Life" series, in conjunction with the BBC Natural
History Unit, which collectively form a comprehensive survey of all terrestrial life. He is also a former senior manager at the BBC, having served as controller of BBC Two and director of programming for BBC Television in the 1960s and 1970s. He is the younger brother of director and actor Richard Attenborough. > Read more about David Attenborough on Wikipedia
Lord Attenborough
Born 1923 - Actor, Director & Producer
Lord Attenborough was born in Cambridge but educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester.
Lord Attenborough, along with his brother Sir David Attenborough, spent a lot of their childhood exploring the collections held at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery. Lord Attenborough has been collecting Picasso ceramics
since the 1950s and in 2007, a large part of his collection went on display at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery for the first time. > Read more about Lord Attenborough on Wikipedia
George Percy Bankart
Born 1866. Died 1929 - decorative plasterworker of the Arts and Crafts Movement
He studied at the Leicester School of Art with Ernest Gimson. He taught at the Bromsgrove School of Handicraft, and wrote The Art of the Plasterer, 1908, about the techniques calling for a revival; he was also a practising plasterworker reputedly doing some ceilings for the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, several houses and buildings in Leicester such as The National Westmnster Bank and Freemasons' Hall, and various other important buildings nationally often linked to the Arts and Crafts Movement. There is also a lead font in St Alban's Church, Harrison Road, Leicester by him. > Read more about George Percy Bankart on the Leicester Arts & Craft Movement website.
Ian Baraclough
Born 1970 – former professional football player and manager
Ian Baraclough was born in Leicester and started his professional career at local club Leicester City, where he remained from 1988 to 1991. His career included 111 appearances for Notts County, 125 appearances for Queens Park Rangers and 134 appearances for Scunthorpe United. He retired from playing and joined the background staff at Scunthorpe United in 2008 where he was coach/assistant to Nigel Atkins. He now manages Sligo Rovers in the Premier Division of the Irish Football League, a team he led to their first league title in 35 years in the 2011/2012 season. > Read more about Ian Baraclough on Wikipedia
Julian Barnes
Born 1946 - English novelist
Born in Leicester in 1946, Julian Barnes worked as a journalist and a lexicographer on the Oxford English Dictionary Supplement, which explains the crisp precision of his prose in his writing. His novels include Flaubert’s Parrot (1984), A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (1989), Talking It Over (1991) and the sequel Love etc. (2000), The Porcupine (1992) and England, England (1998). > Read more about Julian Barnes on his official website
Henry Bates
Born 1825. Died 1892 - English naturalist
Born in Leicester in 1892, he set off with his friiend Alfred Wallace to explore the Amazon in 1848 and did not return until 1859 bringing back 14,700 specimens including 8,000 new insect species to science. In 1861 he produced Contributions to an Insect Fauna of The Amazon Valley, which provided strong evidence in favour of natural selection. > Read more about Henry Bates on Wikipedia
Joan Maureen 'Biddy' Baxter
Born 1933 - Devised and introduced the Blue Peter badge
Biddy Baxter was born in Leicester and educated at Wyggeston Girls' Grammar School. After becoming editor on Blue Peter in 1965, she encouraged children to send in programme ideas, pictures, letters and stories and also she introduced the now famous annual appeals. > Read more about 'Biddy' Baxter on Wikipedia
Karl Beattie
Born 1967 - Broadcaster and pundit
Karl Beattie, born in Leicester in 1967, is a broadcaster, pundit and the husband of Yvette Fielding. Both
appeared in Living TV’s Most Haunted, programmes which investigated psychic and paranormal phenomena.
Charles Bennion
Born 1857. Died 1929 – Manufacturer of Shoes
From 1880s Charles Bennion settled in Leicester, which was at that time was the centre of Britain’s boot and shoe industry. He was managing director of the British United Shoe Machinery Co. Ltd. His affection for Leicestershire and its people is best shown in his purchase of Bradgate Park. A plaque commemorating the generosity of Charles Bennion can be found in Bradgate Park. > Read more about Charles Bennion on Wikipedia
Christopher Bruce
Born 1945 - English dancer and choreographer
Bruce was born in Leicester in 1945. He graduated from Ballet Rambert School, and established his reputation in Pierrot Lunarie (1962). His first piece of choreography for Rambert was George Frideric, and he also produced His Grinning in your Face (2001) to celebrate Rambert’s 75th anniversary. Bruce was awarded CBE in 1998. > Read more about Christopher Bruce on Wikipedia
Gaye Bykers On Acid
Psychedelic rock band
Gaye Bykers On Acid were a psychedelic rock band from Leicester and one of the founder members of the
Grebo music scene. > Read more about Gaye Bykers on Acid on Wikipedia
Alastair John Campbell
Born 1957 - Director of Communications and Strategy for 10 Downing Street
He has been a controversial figure in British politics in recent years, and is often seen as one of the "architects"
of New Labour. Most recently, he has been accused of manufacturing evidence on Iraqi weapons of mass destruction to justify the 2003 Iraq war. As a boy he attended the City of Leicester Boys' Grammar School. > Read more about Alastair Campbell on his official website
Graham Chapman
Born 1941. Died 1989 – Comedian, writer and actor
Chapman was born in Stoneygate and was educated at Melton Mowbray Grammar School. He went on to study medicine at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He joined Footlights, a comedy group whose other members included Bill Oddie and Tim Brooke-Taylor. With John Cleese, Chapman wrote for the BBC during the 1960s. In 1969 with Cleese he joined Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and American artist Terry Gilliam for Monty Python's Flying Circus. He moved to Los Angeles where he appeared on many guest shows, but later returned to the UK where he died of pneumonia brought about by throat cancer. > Read more about Graham Chapman on Wikipedia
John Cleveland
Born 1613. Died 1658 - English Cavalier poet
John Cleveland was born in Leicester and educated at Hinckley Grammar School. He opposed election of Oliver Cromwell to the Long Parliament, and joined the Royalist army but had to surrender with his garrison. In 1656 he published a volume of 36 poems which included satires and elegies to Charles I and Earl of Stafford. > Read more about John Cleveland on Wikipedia
Rosemary Conley, CBE
Born 1946
Rosemary Conley was born in Leicestershire and is an English businesswoman, author and broadcaster on exercise and health. She is the founder and president of Rosemary Conley Diet And Fitness Clubs, a franchise-based organisation that is, alongside Slimming World and Weight Watchers, one of the "big three" weight loss organisations in the UK. She has released several exercise videos and books. > Read more about Rosemary Conley on Wikipedia
Nathaniel Corah
Born 1777. Died 1831 – Manufacturer of Hosiery and Textiles
Nathaniel Corah was born in Leicestershire and trained as a framesmith. He first produced garments on a knitting frame on his farm. From 1813 he built a business buying locally produced textiles in Leicester and trading them in Birmingham; the business expanded rapidly and moved to the famous St Margaret’s Works site. By 1866 over one thousand people were employed at St Margaret’s Works. > Read more about Nathaniel Corah in the Leicester Chronicler
Cornershop
Formed in 1991 – British band
Cornershop were formed by Tjinder Singh and his brother Avtar, both of whom lived in Leicester at the time the band was formed. Their music is a fusion of Indian music, Britpop and electronic dance music. Their album, ‘When I was Born for the 7th Time,’ released in 1997, was hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the essential recordings of the 1990s. > Read more about Cornershop on their official website
Thomas Cook
Born 1808. Died 1892 - Founder of the travel agency
Founder of the travel agency that bears his name. Did you know? In 1841 Thomas Cook organised the worlds first package tour from Leicester - it went just up the road to Loughborough for a temperance meeting. > Read more about Thomas Cook on Wikipedia
Crazyhead
Formed 1986 - Garage punk band
Formed in 1986, Crazyhead were a garage punk band from Leicester who were influenced by the garage rock scene of the late 1960s. Describing themselves as an ‘urban bastard blues band’, their songs ranged in theme
but always with an underlying vein of black humour. Crazyhead disbanded in 2000. > Read more about Crazyhead on Wikipedia
Henry Curry
Born 1850 – founder of electrical retailer Currys
Henry Curry was born in 1850 in Leicester, and founded Currys electrical stores in 1884. He began by building bicycles full-time in a shed at the back of his garden on Painter Street in Leicester. He opened his first store in 1888 on Belgrave Gate.
John Deacon
Born 1951 - Bassist for the rock band Queen
John Deacon was born in Oadby in 1951 and is best known as the bassist for the rock band, Queen. Deacon
wrote a number of songs for Queen including ‘You’re My Best Friend’, ‘I Want to Break Free’ and ‘Another One
Bites the Dust’. > Read more about John Deacon on Queen's official website
Simon de Montfort - Earl of Leicester
Born 1208. Died 1265
Simon de Montfort was the 6th Earl of Leicester and also a leader of opposition to King Henry III of England. He
was regarded as a leader in parliamentary democracy as he became part of the first elected parliament in medieval Europe. De Montfort Hall and De Montfort University are both named after him. > Read more about Simon de Montfort on Wikipedia
Sara Dhada
Born 1982 - Appeared on BBC series The Apprentice
Sara Dhada is known for being the ninth person to be told ‘You’re fired!’ on the fourth series of BBC reality show, The Apprentice. She is from Leicester and studied Law and Economics at the University of Leicester.
Anthony d'Offay
Born 1940 - Art dealer
For more than 40 years Anthony d'Offay was one of the world's leading art dealers and represented some of Europe and America's leading artists. Born in Sheffield, but grew up in Leicester, d'Offay had his first experiences with art visiting New Walk Museum & Art Gallery (then Leicester Museum & Art Gallery). Anthony d'offay began dealing in contemporary art in the late 1960s, hosting exhibitions in the 70s by Lucian Freud, Gilbert & George, Eduardo Paolozzi and Frank Auerbach and continued for the next two decades representing and aiding the careers of many YBAs including Rachel Whiteread and Sarah Lucas. Anthony d'Offay retired as an art dealer in 2001, donating his collection to the nation and establishing the ARTIST ROOMS programme, bringing modern and contemporary art across the breadth of England and Scotland including exhibitions at New Walk Museum & Art Gallery. > Read more about Anthony d'Offay and his connection to Leicester in The Leicestershire Magazine
Terri Dwyer
Born 1973 – Actress
Born in Syston, Leicestershire, Dwyer began her career as a model and in 1995 won the part of Ruth Osborne in the British soap opera, Hollyoaks. After leaving Hollyoaks in 2001, she participated in the Channel 4 reality TV show, The Games and went on to win a gold medal. In 2003, she briefly returned to Hollyoaks and also became a regular presenter on the ITV1 programme Loose Women. In 2005, she joined the cast of Grange Hill. In June, 2006, Terri helped ITV Play launch a new show: Rovers Return Quiz Night. Dwyer left ITV Play in June 2006, after accepting the job as main presenter on ITV's 60 Minute Make over. Dwyer also made a guest appearance on popular comedy Bo' Selecta in 2002. > Read more about Terri Dwyer on her official website
John Ella
Born 1802. Died 1888 - Violinist, music critic and the founder and director of the Musical Union
Born in Leicester, John Ella was a violinist and music critic who wrote for the Morning Post, The Athenaeum and The Musical World. His major contribution to the musical world of 19th century London was in his capacity as the founder and director of the Musical Union, a society dedicated to the performance of chamber and instrumental music to the highest standards.
> Read more about John Ella on the Hector Berlioz website
Derrick Errol Evans aka 'Mr. Motivator'
Born 1952 - Television fitness instructor
Evans was born in Manchester, Jamaica on 15 November 1952 and moved to Leicester in the UK in 1961. Evans found fame on the British breakfast television broadcaster GMTV in the early 1990s as Mr. Motivator, promoting health and fitness as a way of life. He performed fitness routines live on-air in highly-coloured outfits, which quickly became his trademark. > Read more about 'Mr. Motivator' on his official website
Family
Rock band formed in 1966
Family were a rock band, fronted by Roger Chapman, that formed in Leicester in late 1966 and disbanded in 1973. Their style has been characterised as progressive rock although their sound often explored other genres, incorporating elements of styles such as folk, psychedelia, acid, jazz fusion and rock and roll. The band achieved recognition through their albums, club and concert tours and appearances at festivals. > Read more about Family on Wikipedia
Ernest Gimson
Born 1864. Died 1919 - Architect and furniture designer
Gimson was born in Leicester in 1864. He is associated with the Barnsley brothers, Sidney and Ernest, as he moved to the Cotswolds with them in 1895 where they designed and made furniture. Today he is regarded as one of the most influential designers of the English Arts and Crafts movement in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His designs included ladder-back chairs and cabinets and metalwork. > Read more about Ernest Gimson on the Leicester Arts & Crafts Movement website
Lady Jane Grey
Born 1537. Died 1554 - Queen of England
Great granddaughter of Henry VII of England, Lady Jane Grey is said to have been born at Bradgate Park. She was Queen of England for nine days in 1553, although her status as a monarch is controversial; her succession contravened an Act of Parliament, but so did the succession of several other monarchs. However, after her rule ended, her proclamation as Queen was revoked. She was also known as one of the most learned women of her day, described by the historian Alison Weir as "one of the finest female minds of the century." > Read more about Lady Jane Grey on Wikipedia
Gypsy
Formed in 1969. Supported Led Zeppelin on tour
Leicester band who formed in 1969 and disbanded in 1974. Gypsy released two albums, four singles, supported
Led Zeppelin on their first UK tour, performed on Top of the Pops and were banned by the BBC. > Read more about Gypsy on their official website
Joseph Hall
Born 1574. Died 1656 - Prelate and writer
Born at Bristow Park, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire in 1574. Studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Became Dean of Worcester in 1617. Was Bishop of Exeter (1627-41) and Bishop of Norwich (1641-47). Retired in 1647 to a small farm in Higham. His writings included Contemplations, Christian Meditations and Episcopacy as well as the political satires Virgidemiarum (1597-98). > Read more about Joseph Hall on Wikipedia
Alice Hawkins
Born 1863. Died 1946.
Suffragist Alice Hawkins was a working class leader of the women's suffrage movement in Leicester, and founder of the Women's Social and Political Union in 1907. > Read more about Alice Hawkins on her memorial website
Emile Heskey
Born 1978 - Football player
Emile Heskey, born in Leicester in 1978, is a footballer who started his career at Leicester City after progressing through their youth system. Heskey, an England international, went on to play for Liverpool, Birmingham City, Wigan and Aston Villa. > Read more about Emile Heskey on Wikipedia
Engelbert Humperdinck
Born 1936 – Pop Singer
Born in Madras India as Arnold George Dorsey but was raised in Leicester, England and adopted the stage name Engelbert Humperdinck, after the German opera composer of the same name. Humperdinck has sold about 150 million records and has established himself as one of the world's premiere live performers in a number of
sold-out tours. > Read more about Engelbert Humperdinck on his official website
John Illsley
Born 1949 – Guitarist
John Illsley, born in Leicester in 1949, was the bass guitarist of the critically acclaimed rock band, Dire Straits. With Dire Straits, Illsley has been the recipient of multiple BRIT and Grammy Awards. > Read more about John Illsley on his official website
David Icke
Born 1952 – Writer and Public Speaker
David Icke was born in Leicester and is best known for his conspiracy literature, although prior to this he was known as a sports-presenter on the BBC. He describes himself as the most controversial speaker in the world. His core theory which is discussed heavily in his books claims that a secret group of reptilian humanoids control humanity. > Read more about David Icke on his official website
Sir Alec John Jeffreys
Born 1950 – British Geneticist
Sir Alec John Jeffreys developed techniques for DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling which are now used all
over the world in forensic science. He is a professor of genetics at the University of Leicester and an honorary freeman of Leicester. > Read more about Sir Alec John Jeffreys on Wikipedia
Kasabian
Band formed in 1999, debut album released 2004
Formed by Tom Meighan (vocals), Sergio Pizzorno (guitar and vocals), Chris Edwards (bass), Jay Mehler (Keyboards and Guitar). During the recording of the band's second album, the drummer Ian Matthews became a permanent member. The band are from the Leicestershire villages of Blaby and Countesthorpe. Kasabian won
the Best Live Act award at the 2007 NME Awards and are now one of the biggest indie bands in the country. > Read more about Kasabian on their official website
Michael Kitchen
Born 31 October 1948 – actor
Michael Kitchen was born in Leicester in 1948. He worked with the National Youth Theatre and the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1969, while still at RADA, he won the "Emile Littler Award" for 'outstanding talent and aptitude for the professional theatre'. He is best known for his starring role as DCS Foyle in the British TV series Foyle's War. See the Michael Kitchen Fans' website
Chris Kirkland
Born 1981 – Football Goalkeeper
Kirkland shot to prominence as one of the most promising young English keepers in the country in the 2000-01 season, while with his first club Coventry City. He was bought by Liverpool for £6m on transfer deadline day at the start of the 2001-02 season, as backup for the Reds' other new signing, Jerzy Dudek. He was born in Barwell, Leicestershire, and made 3 appearances for Leicester City on loan from Wigan Athletic in 2010. He now plays for Sheffield Wednesday. > Read more about Chris Kirkland on Wikipedia
Dominic Keating
Born 1962 – Actor
Born in Leicester and educated at Uppingham School, Dominic is a British television, film and theatre actor, who played Malcolm Reed on the Star Trek series. > Read more about Dominic Keating on his official website
Daniel Lambert
Born 1770. Died 1809 - Leicester's Largest Son
Daniel was a man from Leicester in England, who became famous for his obesity. His weight at the time of his death was 739 pounds (336 kg), his height was 5 feet 11 inches, and his waist measurement was 9 feet 4
inches. > Read more about Daniel Lambert on the BBC Radio Leicester website
Lisa Lashes
Born 1985 - DJ
Lisa Lashes (real name: Lisa Dawn Rose-Wyatt) grew up in Coventry and Leicester and now lives in Leicester.
She is a leading UK hard dance DJ, playing styles including hard house, hard trance and techno. An established and popular DJ in the UK hard dance scene, Lisa Lashes was one of the pioneers of UK hard house, a genre that was developed in the UK during the 1990s and is still evolving today. > Read more about Lisa Lashes on her official website
Hugh Latimer
Born 1485. Died 1555 - English Protestant reformer
Latimer was born into a family of farmers in Thurcaston, Leicestershire. He converted to Protestantism and was given the task of examining the legality of Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. He was chaplain
to Anne Boleyn and was later imprisoned by Henry. Under the reign of Mary I he was found guilty of heresy and burned at stake. > Read more about Hugh Latimer on Wikipedia
John Leeson
Born 1943 – British Actor
John Leeson was born in 1943 in Leicester. Upon leaving school, he joined the Leicester Dramatic Society and consequently won a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is best known for his K-9 on the television series, Doctor Who, from 1977 to 1979. Another notable performance of his is Bungle from Rainbow. > Read more about John Leeson on Wikipedia
Legay
Unique sounding band formed in 1965
Influenced by Tamla Motown, Legay formed in Leicester in 1965 and were famous for their live shows, image
and unique sound. In 1967, Legay embraced the ‘flower power’ scene and released what many critics believe to be a seminal psychedelic single, ‘No-One’ and ‘The Fantastic Story of the Steam Driven Banana’. > Read more about Legay on their official Facebook page
Gary Lineker
Born 1960 - Professional footballer and sports presenter
Professional footballer with Leicester City in 1978. Made debut for England in 1984. Top scorer in 1986 World Cup. Scored 48 goals for England, one short of Bobby Charlton’s record. Footballer of the Year in 1992. Regularly presents BBC Sports programmes. > Read more about Gary Lineker on Wikipedia
Jon Lord
Born 1941. Died 2012 - Musician
Jon Lord was born in Leicester in 1941 and was a composer, pianist and organ player famous for his pioneering work in fusing rock with classical music. He was best known for being a member of rock bands Deep Purple and Whitesnake. On 15th July 2011, Lord was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the University of Leicester. Jon Lord died on 16th July, 2012. > Read more about Jon Lord on his official website
Bill Maynard
Born 1928 – Actor
Walter Frederick George Williams more commonly known as Bill Maynard is a British actor who played Claude Jeremiah Greengrass in the television series, Heartbeat, and earlier Selwyn Froggit in the sitcom Oh No! It's Selwyn Froggit. He took his professional surname from an advertising board (also known as a bill board) for Maynard's Fruit Gums, a popular British confectionery product. Maynard attended Kibworth Beauchamp Grammar School in Leicestershire. > Read more about Bill Maynard on Wikipedia
Joseph Merrick aka The Elephant Man
Born 1862. Died 1890.
He gained the sympathy of Victorian Britain because of his extreme deformity. Born in Leicester to mother Mary Jane Merrick, he had a younger brother and sister. He began showing signs of deformity at age two. His mother
died when he was 11. According to family accounts, she too was "crippled". He then was forced to live with his father, Joseph Rockley Merrick, and stepmother, who did not want him and forced him to earn his keep by selling goods on the street. For the better part of his life he was unemployable, so as a last resort he took a job as a sideshow attraction. He was treated decently, and made a small amount of money. When sideshows were
outlawed in the UK in 1886 he traveled to Belgium to find work and was mistreated and abandoned by a
showman. > Read more about Joseph Merrick on Wikipedia
Mark Morrison
Born 1974 – Singer
He is a British musician from Leicester, most famous for his R&B hit 'Return of the Mack'. > Read more about Mark Morrison on his official website
Rendall Munroe
Born 1980 - English Super Bantamweight Boxer
Rendall Munroe is the current holder of the EBU super bantamweight title as well as being the current Commonwealth Super Bantamweight title holder. Munroe shot to fame when he upset the form book and defeated touted Spaniard Kiko Martinez. In May 2009, Munroe captured the Commonwealth title with a points victory over Isaac Nettty. His day job as a binman in Leicester is well publicised as his nickname is 'The Binman'. He and his corner men also come out wearing fluorescent yellow binman jackets. > Read more about Rendall Munroe on Wikipedia
Parminder Nagra
Born 1975 - Actress
Born in the Belgrave area of Leicester Parminder Nagra was the leading actor in the Bend it Like Beckham
(2002). The success of the movie in the U.S led her to a part in America's medical drama ER. > Read more about Parminder Nagra on Wikipedia
Phil Oakey
Born 1955 - Composer, singer and songwriter
Phil Oakey, born in Hinckley, Leicestershire, in 1955, is a composer, singer, songwriter and producer best known for being the lead singer of The Human League. He has had an extensive solo music career, collaborating with numerous other artists and producers, and is also an occasional DJ. > Read more about Phil Oakey on Wikipedia
Kate O'Mara (born Frances M. Carroll)
Born 1939 - English film, stage and television actress
Born in Leicester, Kate O'Mara is perhaps most widely known for her role as Caress Morell, the scheming sister of Alexis Colby in the 1980s American primetime soap opera Dynasty, though is also known for playing other villains such as the Rani in Doctor Who and Laura Wilde in Howards' Way. > Read more about Kate O'Mara on Wikipedia
Joe Orton
Born 1933. Died 1967 - English dramatist
Orton was born in Leicester and grew up on the Saffron Lane council estate. He trained as actor at RADA before turning to writing. His plays included Entertaining Mr Sloane (1964), Loot (1966) and What the Butler Saw (1969). He was murdered by his lover Kenneth Halliwell who then killed himself. > Read more about Joe Orton
Sarah Outen
Born 1985 – Adventurer
Sarah Outen grew up in Rutland and continues to live there between her adventures. In 2009 she became the first and only woman to row solo across the Indian Ocean. In April 2011 she began her latest adventure: ‘London2London: via the world.’ London2London is a two and a half year journey across the world using only human power – by bike and kayak. Unfortunately, Sarah was forced to give up her journey whilst attempting to row the North Pacific Ocean due to tropical storm Mawar. Sarah plans to return to Japan to continue her journey as planned in the spring of 2013. > Read more about Sarah Outen on her official website
Lynda Page
Born 1950 – Author
Lynda Page was born in Leicestershire and has written over 20 bestselling, critically appraised novels. Page’s novels are predominantly set in Leicester and are renowned for their strong plots and characters. > Read more about Lynda Page on her official website
Jenny Pitman
Born 1946 - English National Hunt racehorse trainer
Jenny Pitmas grew up on her family's farm near Hoby, in Leicestershire. She set up training stables with her then husband Richard Pitman. Her horses have won a large number and variety of events including the Welsh National, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Hennessey Gold Cup, the Whitbread Trophy and the Grand National in 1983. Was the Piper Heidsieck Trainer of the Year on a number of occasions. Awarded OBE in 1998. > Read more about Jenny Pitman on Wikipedia
Chris Pyatt
Born 1963 – former professional boxer
Chris Pyatt is a former world middleweight champion boxer from Leicester. His fight record includes 47 wins with 34 knockouts and only 5 losses. He won the WBO belt against Sumbu Kalambay in 1993, and after successfully defending his title twice he eventually lost it to Steve Collins in May 1994. He is currently running a boxing gym in Leicester. > Read more anout Chris Pyatt on Wikipedia
Richard III, King of England
Born 1452. Died 1485.
King of England from 1483 until his death as he was defeated in the famous Battle of Bosworth which is said to
have taken place near Sutton Cheney and Market Bosworth in Leicestershire.
Find out more about Richard III in Leicester
Mark Selby
Born 1983 – Professional Snooker & Pool player
Runner up in the World Snooker Championship 2007, he was the 2006 WEPF World Eight-ball Champion. In January 2008, Selby won the Masters, his first major snooker title, and followed this by winning the Welsh Open
he very next month, his first ranking-tournament success. Selby still lives in Leicester and is a fan of Leicester
City football club, which he has supported since childhood. > Read more about Mark Selby on his official website
Peter Shilton
Born 1949 – Former Goalkeeper
Shilton was born in Leicester and began his career at local club Leicester City. He holds the record for playing more games than any other player. His international career earned him 125 caps, making him England's most capped player. In a 30-year career, which included eleven different clubs, three World Cups, two European Cup finals and more than 1,000 competitive matches, Shilton emerged as one of the English games genuine legends. > Read more about Peter Shilton on his official website
Showaddywaddy
Pop Group formed in 1974
The band was formed in Leicester in 1973 by the amalgamation of two groups, Choise and The Golden Hammers. This led to an eight member band, with the unusual feature of having two vocalists, a couple of drummers and two bassists. Their first single 'Hey Rock and Roll' (written by the band), was released in April 1974. It reached number two in the UK Singles Chart. In total they had ten Top Ten singles, a solitary number one 'Under the Moon of Love' in 1976, and spent 209 weeks in the UK Singles Chart. > Read more about Showaddywaddy on their official website
David Shrigley
Born 1968 - Visual Artist
David Shrigley was born in Macclesfield in 1968 but soon moved with his family to Oadby in 1970. In 1987 Shrigley studied an Art and Design Foundation course at Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University) then studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1988 - 1991 where he still lives. Shrigley has exhibited worldwide and perhaps best known for his witty drawings. Shrigley had a major survey of his work at the Hayward Gallery, London in 2012 and nominated on the Turner Prize 2013 shortlist. > Read more about David Shrigley on his official website
Tony Sibson
Born 1958 - Former professional boxer
Sibson was EBU (European) middleweight, Commonwealth (British Empire) middleweight and BBBofC British middleweight title holder. During the 1970s and 1980s he won 55 of his 63 bouts, including 31 by knockout. He fought Marvin Hagler for the WBA and WBC middleweight titles in February 1983, losing by a technical knockout in the sixth round. Five years later he challenged Frank Tate for the IBF title, this time losing by a 10th round TKO. Sibson also moved up to Light heavyweight and lost to Dennis Andries in a bout for the WBC title in 1986. Sibson currently lives and spends his time in Leicester. > Read more about Tony Sibson on Wikipedia
C P Snow
Born 1905. Died 1980 - English novelist and physicist
Educated at Leicester and Cambridge. Civil Service commissioner from 1945 to 1960. His sequence of novels
began with Strangers and Brothers (1940). Other books include Corridors of Power (1964) and The Sleep of
Reason (1968). Made a life peer in 1964. > Read more about C. P. Snow on Wikipedia
Una Stubbs
Born 1937 - Television actress and dancer
Born in Hinckley, she first appeared on television as one of the Dougie Squires’ Dancers on the British television music show Cool for Cats in 1956. She also worked in cabaret, clubs and revues in London during these years and was one of Lionel Blair's dance ensemble. An English actress and former dancer, she appeared extensively on British television and in the theatre, and less frequently in films.
She is particularly known for playing Rita in the sitcom Till Death Us Do Part and Aunt Sally in the children's series Worzel Gummidge. She is also known for her role as Miss Bat in the series The Worst Witch and has most recently appeared as Sherlock Holmes's landlady Mrs Hudson in the Bafta award-winning television series Sherlock. > Read more about Una Stubbs on Wikipedia
Willie Thorne
Born 1954 – Snooker Player & Commentator
Born in Leicester, Thorne was a strong junior player, who later became national under-16 champion at both snooker and English billiards in 1970. > Read more about Willie Thorne on his official website
Frederick Thorpe
Born 1913. Died 1999 - His big idea helped the visually impaired to read
Large Print book publishing in English began in 1964 in Leicester, England when Frederick Thorpe, a retired book and magazine distributor, decided to meet the needs of elderly poor-sighted readers by reprinting older classic books in editions about twice the physical size of the original book. > Read Frederick Thorpe's obituary
Sue Townsend
Born 1946 - English writer
Townsend was born in Leicester and still lives in the city. She is best known as the author of the book, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole, Aged 13¾. Other novels include The Queen and I, Ghost Children and Number 10. Has also written a number of plays and a non-fiction book. > Read more about Sue Townsend on her official website
George Villiers
Born 1592. Died 1628 - assassinated - English politician and court favourite
Born in Brooksby, Leicestershire, Villiers was a favourite of James I. Knighted and raised to peerage as Viscount Villiers in 1616. Became Earl of Buckingham in 1617. Arranged marriage of Charles I with Henrietta Maria of France. Expedition against France in 1627 failed. Assassinated by John Felton, a discontented subaltern. > Read more about George Villiers on Wikipedia
Gok Wan
Born 1974 - Fashion Consultant & TV Presenter
Gok Wan was born in Leicester to a Chinese father, John Tung Shing; who was born in Hong Kong and an
English mother, Myra. He grew up on one of the city's council estates. Fuelled by his personality and charm, he moved in to the world of fashion and worked with many celebrities including All Saints, Damien Lewis, Erasure, Vanessa Mae, Lauren Laverne, Wet Wet Wet, and Johnny Vaughan. He also offered his opinions to magazines, becoming a fashion consultant, and his work has been published internationally in several magazines. In 2006, Wan was approached by Channel 4 and asked to present his own fashion show, 'How to Look Good Naked' and continues to present fashion advice shows today. > Read more about Gok Wan on his official website
Henry Walker
Of crisps fame
In the 1880s Henry Walker moved to Leicester to take over a butchers shop. Meat rationing after the war caused him to change the direction of the business to capitalise on the increasingly popular potato crisp. Now, the Walkers site in Leicester is one of the largest crisp production sites in the world, producing over 11 million bags per year.
Diesel Park West
Alternative rock band formed in 1981
Diesel Park West are an alternative rock band from Leicester. Formed in 1981 and influenced by Moby Grape,
The Byrds and Crosby Stills & Nash, they have released ten albums to date plus six singles that have appeared
in the UK singles chart. > Read more about Diesel Park West on their official website
Colin Henry Wilson
Born 1931 - A prolific English writer who first came to prominence as a philosopher and novelist
Born and raised in Leicester, Wilson has written widely on true crime, mysticism and other topics. He prefers calling his philosophy new existentialism or phenomenological existentialism. He worked in factories and at various occupations, and reads in his spare time. Gollancz published the then 24-year-old Wilson's The Outsider in 1956; the work examines the role of the social "outsider" in seminal works of various key literary and cultural figures. These include Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Ernest Hemingway, Hermann Hesse, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, William James, T. E. Lawrence, Vaslav Nijinsky and Vincent Van Gogh; Wilson discusses his perception of social alienation in their work. The book became a best-seller and helped popularize existentialism in Britain. The outsider is the seminal work on alienation, creativity and the modern mind-set. First published over thirty years ago, it made its youthful author England's most controversial intellectual. > Read more about Colin Henry Wilson on Wikipedia
David "Pick" Withers
Born 1948 - Original drummer in the rock band Dire Straits
David ‘Pick’ Withers, born in Leicester in 1948, was the original drummer in the rock band, Dire Straits. He
played on their first four albums, which included hit singles such as Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet and Private Investigations. > Read more about David "Pick" Withers on his official website
Young Knives
Broke into the music industry in 2002
An Indie band from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, originally called ‘Simple Pastoral Existence’. The band is
known for its energetic live performances and trendy tweed outfits. They broke into the music industry in 2002
and were nominated for the Nationwide Mercury Prize in 2007 for their second album Superabundance entered the charts at number 28 in March 2008. Their third album Ornaments From The Silver Arcade, the title a tribute to the Leicester arcade was released in 2011. > Read more about Young Knives on their offficial website
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