Take a look at these famous faces from Wakefield and Five Towns (Photo: Christopher Furlong)
From actors to musicians and authors to athletes, there are lots of celebrities with links to the Wakefield district.
But how many of these high-profile people did you know had been born in the district?
Let us know and be sure to tell us any big names that we missed from the list!
Born in Wakefield, Cara Theobold was first known for her role as Ivy Stuart in the hit series Downton Abbey. She went on to score roles in The Syndicate, Together, Crazyhead, and Absentia. She also famously voices Tracer in the Overwatch games and short films. (Photo: Getty)
Most of us will recognise Helen Baxendale from her role as Rachel on Cold Feet, or Emily on Friends. But did you know the TV star was born in Pontefract? (Photo: s)
Best known for creating the fictional character Bridget Jones, Fielding was born and raised in Morley, and attended Wakefield Girls’ High School. (Photo: s)
Brothers Gary, Ryan and Ross Jarman formed indie rock band The Cribs in Wakefield in 2001. (Photo: s)
Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly, best known for her role as Becky McDonald on the soap, attended Wakefield Girls’ High School, and grew up in Barnsley and Wakefield. In 2016, she was honoured with a Wakefield Star. She’s gone on to star in numerous hit TV series. (Photo: Getty)
Carolyn Pickles was born on 8 February 1952 in Wakefield. She is an actress, known for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Tess (1979) and The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018). She has appeared in West End theatre and on television, playing DCI Kim Reid in The Bill and Shelley Williams in Emmerdale.
Sir Geoffrey Boycott is best known as a retired Test cricketer, who played for both Yorkshire and England. But before he began his career in cricket, Boycott attending Fitzwilliam Primary School and played for Ackworth Cricket Club. (Photo: Photo: Philip Brown/Getty Images)
You might recognise Helen Worth for her role as Gail Platt in Coronation Street, but did you know that the star was born in Ossett? (Photo: Photo: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
In 2010, Alicia Blagg became England’s youngest ever double national champion when she won both the 1 metre springboard and 3 metre synchronised titles in the British championships.The Wakefield-born diver announced her retirement in 2020. (Photo: Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Actor and voiceover artist Paul Copley was born in Denby Dale, close to Wakefield. In 1976, he won an Olivier Award for his role in John Wilson’s For King and Country, and starred as Arthur Medwin in Coronation Street. (Photo: Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
You might know Annabel Scholey for her role as Lauren Drake on Being Human, or her role in musical film Walking on Sunshine. She also played Contessina de Medici in the television series, Medici: Masters of Florence with Dustin Hoffman and Richard Madden and, more recently, Nina in BBC hit show, The Split. But before becoming an actress, Scholey was born in Wakefield. (Photo: Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images))
Director and actor Reece Dinsdale has starred in dozens of plays, including Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet in 1996. He’s more recently played Paul Ashdale in Emmerdale. But he will be known to many as John Thaw’s son, Matthew, in sitcom Home to Roost. Before his career took off, Dinsdale was born and raised in Normanton. (Photo: s)
One of the city’s most recognisable faces, Jane McDonald has spent time as a singer, presenter and actress, and is renowned for her Yorkshire accent. She never fails to put Wakefield on the map! (Photo: S)
Claire Cooper is best known for her role as Jacqui McQueen on Hollyoaks. The former British Gymnast has also appeared in Waterloo Road and Walking the Dead. (Photo: s)
Former Rugby Union player Mike Tindall was born in Otley, and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. He is now married to Zara Phillips, the eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and most recently took on the challenge of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here where he came fourth. (Photo: Photo: Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Michelle Hadwick is known for her roles as hospital receptionist Lizzie Hopkirk in the ITV drama series The Royal and Vanessa Woodfield in Emmerdale. She was born in Wakefield in 1976. (Photo: s)
Wakefield-born Barbara Hepworth is recognised across the world for her art and sculptures. Born and raised in the city, she credited the West Yorkshire industrial setting as the inspiration for much of her work. (Photo: s)
Sculptor Henry Moore, pictured in 1976, was born and raised in Castleford, the seventh of eight children. He attended Leeds School of Art, and was known for his semi-abstract sculptures. (Photo: Photo: Jones/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Composer Noel Gay, born Reginald Moxon Armitage, was born in Wakefield and attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School. Also known as Stanley Hill, Gay was in the choir at Wakefield Cathedral and is best known for the musical Me and My Girl. (Photo: s)
