List of people from Watford
This is a list of notable people from Watford, a town and borough in Hertfordshire, England, 15 miles (24 km) northwest of central London. People on this list may have been born in Watford or resided there for a significant period of time. People whose only connection to Watford is attendance at the Watford Grammar School for Boys or Watford Grammar School for Girls may be found listed as alumni in those articles.
Actors
[edit]- Bruce Alexander (1946–), actor, best known as Superintendent Norman Mullet in A Touch of Frost[citation needed]
- Jane Alexander, actress[1]
- Michael Attwell (1943–2006), actor, EastEnders[2]
- Marion Bailey (1951–), actress[citation needed]
- Sue Cleaver (1963–), actress, best known as Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street[3]
- Robert Glenister (1960–), actor, Hustle and Spooks[4]
- Adam Godley (1964–), screen and stage actor[5]
- Vinnie Jones, actor and former footballer[6]
- Matt King, actor, comedian and writer[7]
- Rebecca Lacey, actress[citation needed]
- Terry Scott (1927–1994), TV and Carry On actor and comedian[8]
- Paul Terry, former child actor, star of James and the Giant Peach[9]
Artists
[edit]- Neil Lawson Baker (1938–), multi-disciplinary artist[10]
- Jonathan Lemon (1965–), cartoonist[11]
Businesspeople
[edit]- Steve Easterbrook (1967–), former CEO of McDonald's[12]
- Declan Ganley (1967–), businessman and political activist[13]
- Nick Leeson (1967–), securities trader responsible for the collapse of Barings Bank in 1995[14]
Entertainers
[edit]- Michael Bentine (1922–1996), comedian and former Goon[15]
- Cyril Fletcher (1913–2005), comedian[16]
- KSI (born 1993), rapper, actor, boxer and YouTube personality[17]
- Tim Lovejoy, television and radio presenter[18]
- Mary Portas, retail consultant and television presenter[19]
- Chris Stark (born 1987), Radio 1 DJ[20]
- Bradley Walsh, actor, comedian and television presenter[21]
Journalists
[edit]- Barbara Amiel (1940–), British-Canadian journalist[22]
- Sean Hoare (1963–2011), entertainment journalist[23]
Musicians
[edit]- LTJ Bukem (1967–), drum and bass musician, producer and DJ[24]
- Ray Cooper (1942–), session and touring percussionist[25]
- Gallows, hardcore punk band formed in Watford[26]
- George FitzGerald, electronic artist[27]
- Geri Halliwell (1972–), singer, member of the Spice Girls[28]
- Kyla La Grange, singer-songwriter[29]
- Gerald Moore (1899–1987), classical pianist[30]
- Rak-Su, boy band, winners of the fourteenth series of The X Factor, formed in Watford[31]
- The Staves, singer-songwriter trio whose members were born in Watford[32]
Politicians
[edit]- Mo Mowlam (1949–2005), Labour politician[33]
- Mark Oaten, Liberal Democrat politician[34]
- Nat Wei, Baron Wei, politician[35]
Scientists and academics
[edit]- Geoffrey Hodgson (1948–), institutional economist and professor at Loughborough University[36]
- Marion McQuillan (1921 – 1998), British metallurgist who specialised in uses for titanium[citation needed]
- Stuart Parkin (1948–), experimental physicist[37]
- Arthur Peacocke (1924–2006), biochemist and Anglican theologian[38]
- Arthur Geoffrey Walker (1909–2001), mathematician who contributed to general relativity theory[39]
Sportspeople
[edit]Footballers
[edit]- Frankie Beckles (born 2007), British Virgin Islands footballer[40]
- Luther Blissett (born 1958), Jamaican-born footballer for several clubs, most prominently Watford[41]
- Tom Carroll (1992–), played for Swansea City[42]
- Jack Collison (1988–), former West Ham United and Wales footballer, now head coach of Atlanta United 2[43]
- Kenny Jackett (1962–), former manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, former player for Watford and Wales national football team[44]
- Lewis Kinsella, footballer for Colchester United[45]
- Roy Low (1944-), footballer[46]
- Craig Mackail-Smith, Luton Town and Scotland footballer[47]
- Paul Robinson, footballer for several clubs including Watford[48]
- Kelly Smith, Arsenal Ladies, England and Great Britain footballer[49]
- Gareth Southgate, manager and former player for England men's national football team[50]
- Ian Walker, former goalkeeper for various teams including England, later football manager[51]
- Arthur Woodward (1906–1984), footballer who spent his entire career at Watford[52]
- Frank Yallop (1964–), former footballer turned manager[53]
Cricketers
[edit]- Steven Finn (1989–), Middlesex and England cricketer[54]
- Mark Ilott (1970–), former England cricketer[55]
- Nick Knight, cricketer turned commentator[56]
- Jeremy Quinlan (1965–), cricketer[57][58]
- Robert Simons (1922–2011), cricketer[citation needed]
Others
[edit]- Reece Bellotti, former Commonwealth featherweight boxing champion[59]
- Anthony Joshua, 2012 Olympic boxing gold medalist[28]
- Alex Roy, (1974–), professional darts player[citation needed]
- John Taylor (1945–), former rugby player for Wales and British & Irish Lions, later commentator[60]
Writers
[edit]- Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, English Sikh screenwriter and playwright[61]
- T. E. B. Clarke (1907–1989), screenwriter and novelist[62]
- Anthony Berkeley Cox (1893–1971), crime fiction author[63]
Others
[edit]- John Lawley, Commissioner in The Salvation Army[64]
- George Pearkes (1888–1984), Canadian politician and soldier[65]
- Mike Pilavachi, evangelist and founder of Soul Survivor[66]
- Barney Chandler, former Royal Marine and current Yeoman Warder Ravenmaster at the Tower of London[67]
References
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- ^ "Michael Attwell". The Independent. 25 March 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ "ITV Coronation Street: Real life of Eileen Grimshaw actress Sue Cleaver - co-star ex, second career and sepsis scare". MSN. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "Robert Glenister: 'I wish I wasn't quite as arrogant when I got successful'". the Guardian. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ John Nathan. "Mr shy and mighty". The Jewish Chronicle.
- ^ May, Adam (15 January 2022). "The rise of Herts' Vinnie Jones from football's tough guy to Hollywood star". HertsLive. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "33 things you may not have known about Watford". Watford Observer. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Roll of Honour Archived 5 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine, The Heritage Foundation.
- "Great Scott!". Chortle. 9 May 2003. - ^ Nash, George (5 September 2021). "Exclusive Interview - James and the Giant Peach actor Paul Terry: "Being famous now must be horrific. Especially if you're young"". Flickering Myth. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ Blackhurst, Chris (31 August 2014). "Neil Lawson Baker interview: 'I've gained so much from art. It's only right to give something back'". The Independent. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Gustines, George Gene (26 October 2018). "Alley Oop Will Return (Spoiler Alert)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ Monaghan, Angela (29 January 2015). "Profile: McDonald's chief executive Steve Easterbrook". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ McDonald, Henry (13 June 2008). "'I have witnessed how inherently undemocratic socialism was, and that is why I don't want an overweening EU'". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Rodrigues, Jason (24 February 2015). "Twenty years ago, rogue trader Nick Leeson brought down Barings Bank". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Matthew, H. C. G.; Harrison, B., eds. (23 September 2004). "Bentine [formerly Bentin], Michael (1922–1996), comedian". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. ref:odnb/64037. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/64037. Retrieved 9 August 2022. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Fletcher, Cyril (1973). The Countryman: A Quarterly Review and Miscellany of Rural Life and Progress 73. Oxford: J.W. Robertson Scott. ISSN 0011-0272. page 47.
- ^ Weir, Luke (23 August 2022). "Which school in Hertfordshire did KSI go to and where did he grow up". HertsLive. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ Lovejoy, Tim (27 May 2009). Lovejoy on Football: One Man's Passion for The Most Important Subject in the World. Random House. ISBN 978-1-4090-6041-3.
- ^ "Mary, Queen of Watford". Watford Observer. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ "Radio 1 presenter and Watford FC fan Chris Stark welcomes baby boy". Watford Observer. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ McGroarty, Adam; McRae, Isabella (29 May 2022). "Watford star Bradley Walsh spotted filming for The Larkins". HertsLive. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
- ^ International Who's who of Authors and Writers. Europa Publications, Taylor & Francis Group. 2008.
- ^ Pickard, Michael (7 September 2010). "Former WO reporter Sean Hoare claims ex-News of the World editor Andy Coulson told him to hack phones". Watford Observer. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ "DJ on a rhythm mission". The Daily Telegraph. 19 April 2000. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Radio, N. T. S. "Ray Cooper | Discover music on NTS". NTS Radio. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Gallows humour themselves". Watford Observer. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "The 10 best house producers/DJs in the world right now". MusicRadar. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ a b "The famous people that come from Watford - including KSI and Geri Horner". Harrow Times. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ May, Adam (23 December 2021). "Hertfordshire's 30 sexiest men and women for 2021". HertsLive. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Cooper, Joseph. "Moore, Gerald Frederick (1899–1987)", Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 23 September 2004. Retrieved 17 June 2021 (subscription or UK public library membership required)
- ^ "Rak-Su: Boy band beat Grace Davies to win X Factor 2017". BBC News. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
- ^ Paul Lester (8 November 2011). "New Band of the Day—The Staves (No 1,144)". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ^ "The famous people that come from Watford - including KSI and Geri Horner". Harrow Times. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Ex-Watford councillor and phone hacking victim, Mark Oaten, calls for convicted journalists to be spared jail". Watford Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Pass notes No 2,921: Lord Wei". the Guardian. 2 February 2011. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Geoffrey Hodgson | University of Hertfordshire - Academia.edu". herts.academia.edu. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Solon, Olivia (9 April 2014). "Data storage pioneer wins €1m Millennium Technology Prize". Wired. Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "Canon Arthur Peacocke". The Independent. 6 November 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Hitchin, N. J. (2006). "Arthur Geoffrey Walker. 17 July 1909 -- 31 March 2001: Elected FRS 1955". Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society. 52: 413–421. doi:10.1098/rsbm.2006.0028.
- ^ Stacey, Dan. "Shrewsbury Town academy represented on international stage as goalkeeper shines". The Shropshire Star. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ Phillips, Oliver (1991). The Official Centenary History of Watford FC 1881–1991. Watford Football Club. ISBN 0-9509601-6-0.
- ^ "Carroll completes Swansea move". Watford Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Jack Collison named head coach of Atlanta United 2". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Hornets legend Kenny Jackett named Orient manager". Watford Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Andrew Raeburn (27 February 2015). "Who is potential Villa debutant Lewis Kinsella?". Metro. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Goodwin, Bob (2017). The Spurs Alphabet. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-9540434-2-1.
- ^ King, Kieran (14 May 2022). "Craig Mackail-Smith's eye-opening non-league experience and 'great' title win". mirror. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Robbo: Hornets baptism shaped my career". West Bromwich Albion F.C. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
- ^ "Watford-born England legend joins support for Lionesses ahead of final". Watford Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "The famous people that come from Watford - including KSI and Geri Horner". Harrow Times. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Davies, Hunter (22 April 2011). The Glory Game. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-78057-011-2.
- ^ Phillips, Oliver (2001). The Golden Boys: A Study of Watford's Cult Heroes. Alpine Press Ltd. pp. 54–59. ISBN 0-9528631-6-2.
- ^ "Coach Frank Yallop's steady style guiding San Jose Earthquakes to unprecedented start". The Mercury News. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Finn laments below-par display". Watford Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Ilott goes back to his roots". Watford Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Brenkley, Stephen (17 September 2011). "Nick Knight: 'I've been full of praise for county cricket for years'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 20 June 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ The Shirburnian (PDF). Sherborne School. 1979. p. 35.
- ^ "Player profile: Jeremy Quinlan". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ Davies, Matthew (19 April 2022). "Yeovil's Dean Dodge set for second tilt at Southern Area title". SomersetLive. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ John Taylor player profile ESPN Scrum.com
- ^ "Profile: Playwright Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti". 20 December 2004. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Monaco, James (1991). The Encyclopedia of Film. Perigee Books. ISBN 978-0-399-51604-7.
- ^ Bargainnier, Earl F. (1984). Twelve Englishmen of Mystery. Popular Press. ISBN 978-0-87972-250-0.
- ^ Ervine, St John Greer (1935). God's Soldier: General William Booth. Macmillan.
- ^ George Randolph Pearkes fonds
- ^ writer, Christian Today staff. "Mike Pilavachi's 'day I'll never forget': Huge response to Soul Survivor rebuilding appeal". www.christiantoday.com. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "New Ravenmaster Appointed at the Tower of London". Historic Royal Palaces. Hampton Court Palace: Palaces Press Office. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.