Celebrities of Cheshire

Like everywhere in the world, Cheshire has produced some of the most famous celebrities of Cheshire in the world. Love or loathe them, it’s a guarantee that you will have at very least heard of them.  From sport to music, literature and beyond, some of the most influential names are our homegrown heroes. With great difficulty, we have managed to whittle the list down to our “Five Famous Favourites”.

Celebrities of Cheshire – Ben Ainslie – Macclesfield, Cheshire

A huge name in the world of competitive sailing.  Perhaps the most famous male Olympian from Cheshire!  We felt we couldn’t NOT mention Sir Ben.

Sir Charles Benedict Ainslie CBE is THE most successful sailor in Olympic history.  Winning medals in five consecutive Olympics, the first of those being in 1996. And at least one gold in every Olympic Games held since the turn of the millennium. At just over six feet tall, Mr Ainslie’s list of accomplishments is roughly as tall as he is.   His first international competition being a 73rd place at the tender age of just 12 years old in the Optimist World Championships in Japan in 1989. Fast forward 29 years, and this mans impressive total of 17 Olympic medals is not to be sneezed at.  It makes this man one of Cheshire’s most valuable exports.

Celebrities of Cheshire – Gary Barlow – Frodsham, Cheshire

Gary Barlow OBE is without a doubt one of Cheshire’s largest names in the music industry. From starting his career as frontman of the world-famous band Take That, Mr Barlow has since gone on to become a songwriter and record producer. As well as being the mastermind behind televisions Let It Shine in 2017, that has perhaps been eclipsed by his tenure as one of the head judges on arguably the worlds most popular talent show – The X Factor alongside Simon Cowell. Having sold over 50 million records, it is unsurprising that he has been a deserving recipient of both an OBE and the award for Outstanding Contributions to Music from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors. With seventeen top five hits, twelve number one singles and seven number one albums, Gary is undoubtedly deserving of the title of one of Cheshire’s most beloved sons.

Celebrities of Cheshire – Paula Radcliffe – Northwich, Cheshire

Paula Jane Radcliffe MBE may be the only woman on our list, but with a collection of achievements as vast as hers, it is not difficult to see why she eclipses many other sportspersons. One of the greatest long-distance runners of her generation.  Paula put the tiny town of Northwich on the map.  Representing her country at the Olympic Games 4 times. Alongside this, Ms Radcliffe has held the Women’s World Record for the marathon for the last 15 years, first setting the as yet unbeaten target of 2hrs 15 minutes 25 seconds back in 2003. To top this off, the English Athletics Committee saw fit to induct her into their Hall of Fame in 2010, an accolade she undoubtedly deserves.

Celebrities of Cheshire – Michael Owen – Chester, Cheshire

Michael James Owen is one of the most recognisable names in English football. Hailing from Chester in Cheshire, Mr Owen has played football for some of the largest clubs in the world.  They include Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid and England. His accomplishments are far and wide, spanning all aspects of football.  From being 2001’s Ballon d’Or recipient – the most prestigious honour in modern day football – to being the youngest player to score 100 Premier League goals, it is safe to say that Michael Owen is a name that English football will not soon forget. Since his retirement, Owen has turned his attention to punditry.  Focusing on his hobby of racehorse ownership/breeding, even trying his hand at jockeying.

Celebrities of Cheshire – Lewis Carroll – Daresbury, Cheshire

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known to the world under his pen name of Lewis Carroll.  Without a doubt one of the most famous literary names produced by Cheshire that the world has ever seen. It is unlikely that any person over a certain age has not read Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Still part of school curriculums today, over 150 years after its conception and publication. Perhaps as well-known were his works of Through The Looking Glass, the sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and nonsense poems Jabberwocky and The Hunting of the Snark. Aside from Carrolls publicised writing talents, it is perhaps less prominent in history that his other talents lay in mathematics and photography as well as being an Anglican deacon.

I wonder if any of them would like a website by web design Cheshire Greensplash Design?!?!

Celebrities of Cheshire – Like everywhere in the world, Cheshire has produced some of the most famous celebrities.