Celebrities and famous names you didn’t realise were from Greater Manchester
Us Mancunians are a famously proud bunch and we always back our own whenever we hear tell of a local doing something important or noteworthy, and that moment when you find out a celebrity you’re a fan of is from Manchester never gets old.
We recently put out a question post on our socials asking people which celebrities they were surprised to learn were either born and/or raised in Greater Manchester. We must admit, there were plenty named in the comments that we had no idea about either.
It also surprised us to see how many famous faces we already knew as Mancs were completely brand new information to others, so it only made sense to round a few of them up.
This is by no means an exhaustive list and some of you might already know a lot of these but for the sake of those who don’t, here are a bunch of celebrities that you may not realise are from around these parts.
15 celebs you didn’t realise were Mancs
1. Martin Lewis
Kicking us off, we were genuinely surprised to learn that none other than the ‘Money Saving Expert’ himself Martin Lewis is in fact from Manchester.
He may have been raised in the village of Norley near Delamere Forest, Cheshire but the 52-year-old journalist, researcher and presenter started out life close by.
Born in Withington Hospital in 1972, the economist has gone on to give financial advice to millions around the UK. Nice one for that by the way, mate.
2. John Mahoney
The name Charles John Mahoney might not mean much to most Brits but if you ever watched the US sitcom Frasier (the Cheers spin-off) and were a particular fan of the lead character’s dad, Martin Crane, you’ll pleased to know that he’s also a Manc.
He was born in Blackpool where his family evacuated to during WWII but it all started right here in Greater Manchester, spending much of his youth in 0161 after his parents moved back there and he even went on to buy a home in Stockport in later life.
He sadly passed away back in 2018 at the age of 77 but he was a regular early morning and evening face on Channel 4 for years; the lovable and amusing TV dad during many people’s childhoods. His co-star Jane Leeves (Daphne Moon) is also from Manchester as it happens, so consider this a twofer.
Farewell to John Mahoney, who has sadly passed away, aged 77.
— Channel 4 (@Channel4) February 6, 2018
Goodnight Seattle, and thanks for all the laughs. pic.twitter.com/nykbU9JASh
3. Olivia Cooke
Next up is a genuine Hollywood-level star: Olivia Cooke, of Ready Player One, Bates Motel and most currently House of the Dragon fame.
In fact, when the series first started and junkets to promote the show came out, people were surprised to hear her real-life accent wasn’t quite as neutral/RP as her character’s and that a Mancunian had somehow found herself in Westeros.
You can find out more here:
4. Simply Red
Common knowledge to a certain generation perhaps, but in case you didn’t know, Simply Red is a simple Manc called Mick Hucknall, a.k.a. the original ginger singer before that Ed Sheeran fella.
While Simply Red is technically the name of the soul and pop band, it was always about frontman and fellow local Mick, who was most popular during the 1980s and 90s but is still performing all over the globe to this day.
Best-known for tracks like ‘Holding Back the Years’, ‘If You Don’t Know Me by Now’ and ‘Sunrise’ (which you can hear down below), he was born just down the road at Saint Mary’s Hospital back in 1960 and even opened Castlefield’s Barca bar back in 1996 before selling in it 2010. Cheers, Mick.
5. Ian McKellen
Yes, we’re ashamed to admit that it wasn’t until late that we learned that SIR Ian McKellen has roots in Greater Manchester too. You’re damn right we’re adopting him as one of our own given the chance, he’s bloody Gandalf!
From Burnley originally, the legendary British actor and ultimate thespian actually grew up in Wigan during the war and was also part of the Bolton School Boys’ Division from 1951 to 1958.
His super well-spoken voice is singular, there’s no doubt about that, but there’s a bit of Manc twang and Northern gruff buried somewhere in there – though it’s not that aspect of the region that he feels most connected to. We challenge you not to well up with happy tears when you listen to this wholesomeness:
6. Claire Foy
From one actor to another, we’d say Claire Foy is one of Britain’s very best acting talents around and she also happens to be a Greater Manchester native too.
Hailing from Stockport (don’t start all the Cheshire nonsense again), the 40-year-old First Man, All of Us Strangers, The Crown and The Girl in the Spider’s Web star was born at Stepping Hill like most locals but also spent time growing up in other parts of Manchester and Leeds too.
A very talented lady indeed.
7. Ross Brawn
Moving over to sport for a spell, we only recently discovered that Ross James Brawn OBE – yes as in the old Formula 1 team – is a Manc too.
Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, he’s the first Tameside representative on our list and there’s something very surreal about learning that F1’s ex-managing director also probably went to the Hyde swimming baths when he was a nipper.
We don’t know whether they had the wave machine back then but let’s just say he’s gone on to lead a pretty full life even without them.
8. Geoff Hurst
Switching to a slightly different discipline now, it seems to be a little-known fact that England hero Geoff Hurst is also from Ashton, perhaps because he left the area when he was just six.
Maybe it’s also because we also tend to limit any Manc links to that legendary 1966 World Cup-winning team to the late Sir Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles but, in fact, the man who scored that iconic hat trick in the final against Germany is from around these parts.
He may have spent the bulk of his career down south at West Ham, making over 400 appearances and scoring 180 goals, but his first days of kicking a ball were on Manc cobbles.
9. Lee Dixon
From one famous sporting son to another, it seems to be a bit of a running oversight among many footballers who made their name playing for a London club; sometimes it’s easy to forget they weren’t always based in the capital.
Now, while we’ve always definitely known Lee Dixon was from the North given his accent, we could never quite place where exactly in the region – it’s Greater Manchester, as it turns out.
That’s right, the Arsenal legend might have been the bane of many local football fans’ existence back in his heyday but, as plenty more may know, his dad Roy Dixon was a goalkeeper for Man City in the 1950s and the long-retired centre-back grew up as a boyhood Blue standing on the Kippax.
🏴 Lee Dixon: I remember my first North London Derby game, and Tony Adams literally had me up against the wall by the throat, and it was like ‘You don’t understand. We can’t lose this game!’ ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/so68xydrJb
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) May 11, 2022
10. Judith Chalmers
Once again, those of you who have been around a bit longer than others might not be caught as off guard but not everyone will be aware that legendary broadcaster Judith Chalmers is another famous British celebrity from Manchester.
The long-retired TV host known for the documentary series Wish You Were Here…? is another secret Stopfordian whose eloquent presenting voice meant that any hint of a Northern accent was long hidden and done so very well indeed.
Let’s just say she very much gave old Cheshire village vibes rather than Edgeley.
11. Carl Cox
Another one on our list that often seems to go unnoticed is one of the most well-respected DJs in the UK, Carl Cox.
Born in Oldham back in 1962, the DJ, MC and producer is an absolute Ibiza icon and has more than two dozen awards within the industry over the years.
Now based in Australia and having even turned a love of his racing into his own motorsports team, he’s lived quite the life.
Milan as always it was an absolute pleasure!! Big thank you to all the party people who joined me at @AlcatrazMilano last night, it was one to remember. Now it’s onto Istanbul, let’s go!! 😎🖤 pic.twitter.com/G8mOAxPsIi
— Carl Cox (@Carl_Cox) September 20, 2024
12. Dominic Monaghan
Next up is one that people always raise their eyebrows over when we bring it up. Admittedly, he was born in Germany and has Irish heritage but we will always be proud to call Merry Brandybuck himself one of our own.
For those of you who aren’t Lord of the Rings nerds like us, Dominic Monaghan played the lovable hobbit in one of the most successful films of all time and while he may not have always been here, the recognisable actor spent some of his most formative years as a Manc.
Yet another name on this list of Greater Manchester celebrities tied to Stockport, he moved to the area when he was just 11 and even went on to study at St Aquinas College before making it big in Hollywood as a young man. So there you have it: there’s a hobbit from SK.
13. Benedict Wong
Another local actor that we’ve really enjoyed people stumbling across over the past few years is Benedict Wong, who we still remember from that incredible cameo in The IT Crowd but who is now best known for his Marvel character of the same last name.
Yes, the MCU version of Wong in the Doctor Strange and Avengers movies was born in the humble market town of Eccles and has gone on to be in the biggest film franchise of all time, not to mention the likes of 3 Body Problem, The Martian and more.
If you know any superhero fans who might not be aware of where Wong is from, just play this endearing clip of him on Jimmy Fallon, in which he sounds just like any other Manc you grew up around:
14. John Motson
The penultimate name on our list of celebrities you may or may not know are from Manchester is one whose voice you’ll know much better than his face, but he’s nevertheless a broadcasting legend.
When we think of footballing voices, there are exactly three names that come to mind before any other: Clive Tyldesley, Martin Tyler and John Motson.
The Salfordian commentator sadly passed away in February 2023 but, for generations, he was the soundtrack to their earlier memories of the beautiful game. Proud to have called him one of our own.
15. David Lloyd George
Last but not least, it would be weird to overlook arguably one of the most important Manchester celebrities not just in local but national heritage, although he’s less of a celeb in truth and more just a very important historical figure.
Yes, the UK’s Prime Minister for the final two years of WWI Lloyd George was born in Chorlton-on-Medlock and went on to be one of the most influential British politicians ever before retiring to Wales.
A member of the then Liberal Party and the last to ever be voted PM, he oversaw the end of The Great War and was one of the signatures of the Treaty of Versailles. Hard to imagine someone from Manchester being in that room but it’s true.
Honourable mention…
The Bee Gees
Oh, go on then, one more…
We couldn’t rightly compile this list of Manchester celebrities without recognizing the very cool fact that The Bee Gees got their start right here in Manchester – also from Chorlton.
All three Gibb brothers, Barry, Robin and Maurice, were born in the Isle of Man and eventually moved to Australia, but they formed their original band The Rattlesnakes whilst living in the Manchester suburb and even played their first gig together at the old Gaumont Cinema in 1957. Amazing bit of trivia, right?
Read more:
- First Look: Netflix’s new Harlan Coben series filmed around Greater Manchester
- A new rom-com set in Manchester has started filming in the city centre
- Five quintessentially Manc films you need to watch
Are there any other Greater Manchester celebrities that you know about and we somehow don’t? Let us know in the comments.
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Featured Images — Gage Skidmore (via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)/Dominic Monaghan (via IG)