It’s hard to picture our favourite celebrities in scruffy school uniforms, but many of them were educated right here in Bath and Somerset. Indeed, you may have shared a school canteen, corridor or swimming pool with some of these famous faces.
From fashion designers to singers and soap stars, our county has seen a host of talent pass through its schools.
Some, like Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis, even went on to make their fortunes here. And it seems there’s something in the Somerset soil that’s particularly good for nurturing sports stars, as they feature heavily on our list.
But it’s not just about the TV and sports personalities – we’ve also got some big names from the world of baking. So take a look, and if you’ve ever spotted a celebrity in Bath or Somerset, we’d love to hear about it.
Millfield School, Street
1. Lily Allen
Daughter of actor Keith Allen and sister to Alfie (who played Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones) singer Lily’s first mainstream single ‘Smile’ shot to number one in the UK singles chart in 2006.
(Image: Getty Images for Malibu)
2. Stewart Copeland
Born in Virginia, Copeland moved from the US to Street for school and is the drummer in rock band The Police.
3. Ella Eyre
Singer and songwriter Ella Eyre is another famous face schooled in Somerset. The pop star has collaborated with artists including Rudimental, Sigala and DJ Fresh in a distinguished career.
Ella Eyre performing at Fusion Festival
(Image: Jason Roberts)
4. Tony Blackburn
A household name having made his first broadcast for the BBC in the 1960s, Tony Blackburn also cut his teeth at Millfield.
5. Sir Gareth Edwards, CBE
Regarded as one of the greatest rugby union players of all time, Sir Gareth Edwards is another alumnus of Millfield.
The former scrum-half won 53 caps for Wales.
6. Sophie Dahl
The granddaughter of Roald Dahl, fashion model and author Sophie Dahl is also known for her love of cooking.
The 47-year-old married singer Jamie Cullum in 2010.
(Image: Getty Images)
7. Mark Foster
A former world, European and Commonwealth swimming champion who appeared at five Olympic games, Mark Foster broke eight world records throughout his career.
8. John Sergeant
An ex-politics reporter who earned further notoriety after his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2008, John Sergeant is another former Millfield pupil.
9. Alex Pettyfer
Known for his roles in Stormbreaker, I Am Number Four and Magic Mike, actor Alex Pettyfer is another to spend his formative years in the county.
10. Tyrone Mings
Now an established Premier League defender with Aston Villa, Tyrone Mings was born in Bath and previously played for Bournemouth and Ipswich Town.
The 31-year-old has played 18 times for England, scoring two goals, as part of the Euro 2020 squad.
(Image: Getty Images)
11. Lando Norris
Born in Bristol and raised in Glastonbury to an English father and Belgian mother, Norris began competitive kart racing aged seven. Norris was runner-up in the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship in 2024 with McLaren, and has won four Grands Prix across six seasons. Norris was educated at Millfield School in Street.
(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Wells Cathedral School, Wells
12. Michael Eavis
Founder of the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, Michael Eavis was schooled at Wells Cathedral School.
Michael Eavis created Glastonbury Festival
(Image: Rowan Griffiths)
13. Emily Eavis
Keeping it in the family, Michael’s daughter and Glastonbury Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis was also schooled in Wells. 14. Kris Marshall
Born in Bath and famous for his roles in My Family, Death In Paradise and as the face of BT adverts for many years, Kris Marshall still lives in the city with his wife and children.
(Image: Bath Chronicle)
15. Bruce Parry
A former Royal Marines commando known for making documentaries such as Tribe for the BBC, Bruce Parry is another famous Wells Cathedral School alumnus.
Wells Blue School, Wells
16. Edgar Wright
Best known for directing Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Edgar Wright was schooled at Wells Blue School.
The 50-year-old brought Wells to national attention in 2007 by filming Hot Fuzz in the city.
Director Edgar Wright grew up in Wells
(Image: Getty Images)
17. Bob Kerslake
The former head of the Home Civil Service, Bob Kerslake was born in Bath and went to school in Wells.
Huish Episcopi School, Huish Episcopi
18. Alice Temperley
A fashion designer who grew up on her family’s cider farm, Alice Temperley went to Huish Episcopi School.
The 49-year-old’s Somerset by Alice Temperley range featured could be found in John Lewis as was described as the “English Ralph Lauren”.
Buckler’s Mead, Yeovil
19. Sir Ian Botham
One of the most successful English cricketers of all time, Sir Ian Botham moved to Yeovil from Cheshire early in his life and grew up in the town.
Now widely known for his charity work and as a cricket broadcaster, Sir Ian spent five years at Buckler’s Mead School before making his name in sport.
Taunton School, Taunton
20. Alexandra “Binky” FelsteadBest known for appearing in 153 episodes of the reality TV show Made in Chelsea, Alexandra “Binky” Felstead was schooled in Taunton.
(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
21. Ian McNeiceAn actor best known for his roles in Doc Martin, Rome and Ace Ventura, Ian McNeice was another Taunton School pupil who went on to find fame.
22. Sir Arthur C Clarke
Known for co-writing the screenplay for 2001: A Space Odyssey , Sir Arthur learned his science fiction writing while at school in Taunton.
23. Mark Getty
The founder of Getty Images, Mark Getty was educated at Taunton School before launching the website which made getting hold of stock images much easier.
King’s College, Taunton
24. Dominic WoodOne half of the iconic children’s TV double act Dick and Dom, Dominic Wood is another King’s College alumnus who made it big.
25. Jos Buttler
Now a global cricket superstar who helped England win the Cricket World Cup, as well as captaining England to win the 2022 World T20, he is one of the world’s most explosive batsmen, Jos Buttler was born and raised in Somerset before going to school in Taunton.
Jos Buttler of England celebrates victory with the T20 World Cup trophy following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final match between Pakistan and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 13, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.
(Image: Getty Images)
26 Juno Temple
Known for her roles in Black Mass, The Dark Knight Rises, Wild Child, Atonement and The Other Boleyn Girl, Juno Temple went to King’s College in Taunton.
Yeovil College
27. Jonny PurchaseNow a West End star who featured in Les Miserables, Jonny Purchase was impressing on stage while a student at Yeovil College before earning his big break.
28. Sarah Parish
One of the best-known TV actresses of the last twenty years, Sarah Parish attended Preston Academy and Yeovil College before going on to perform in Broadchurch, Cutting It and Doctor Who.
Sarah Parish
29. PJ Harvey
A singer-songwriter who grew up in Bridport, PJ Harvey was another to go to college in Yeovil before her rise to stardom.
St Peter’s Prep School, Weston-super-Mare
30. John Cleese
A comedy icon having tickled the bellies of millions up and down the country for his roles in Fawlty Towers, Monty Python, Rat Race and more, John Cleese was born and schooled in Weston-super-Mare.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 31: John Cleese speaks onstage during “An Hour with John Cleese: There Are Those Who Call Him…John!” session during the 2024 Dragon Con at Atlanta Marriott Marquis on August 31, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
Worle Community School, Worle
31. Jill Dando
A journalist and TV presenter with the BBC for many years, Jill Dando was tragically murdered in 1999.
Norton Hill School, Midsomer Norton
32. Maisie Williams
Best known for her role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones and for starring in Doctor Who, Maisie Williams honed the skills that made her famous in Midsomer Norton.
(Image: Getty Images)
Crispin School, Street
33. Helen Chamberlain
A fixture on many televisions on a Saturday morning for more than two decades, Helen Chamberlain attended Crispin School in Street before landing the role of presenter on Soccer AM that made her famous.
Soccer AM host Helen Chamberlain
Hans Price Academy, Weston-Super-Mare
34. Rupert Graves
An actor best known for starring in Sherlock, V for Vendetta and Last Tango in Halifax, Rupert Graves was educated in Weston-super-Mare.
More recently, he starred in the BBC’s adaptation of The War of the Worlds as Frederick, alongside Rafe Spall and Eleanor Tomlinson.
The King Alfred School, Highbridge
35. George ShelleyReality TV star George Shelley shot to fame as a member of boyband Union J on the X Factor in 2012 before finishing as runner-up on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of here in 2015.
Before his big break, Shelley attended the King Alfred School in Highbridge.
George Shelley of Union J
(Image: PA)
36. Liam Phillips
A former BMX world champion and three-time Olympian, Liam Phillips was born in Taunton and raised in Burnham-on-Sea before going to school in Highbridge.
(Image: Getty Images)
Holyrood Community School, Chard
37. Ben Hamer
A professional footballer who has played in the Premier League for Leicester City and Huddersfield Town, Ben Hamer was born in Chard and was educated at Holyrood Community School.
Kings Wessex Academy, Cheddar
38. Richard HerringA stand-up comic and comedy writer, Richard Herring was born in Cheddar before attending Kings Wessex Academy.
Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet
39. Madeleine Harris
A child star who shot to fame after appearing in Paddington in 2014, Madeleine Harris is from Shepton Mallet and attended Whitstone School while appearing in the town.
Frome Community College, Frome
40. Jenson Button
Jenson Button was born and raised in Frome before his driving skills secured his rise to Formula One in 2000.
After winning his first Grand Prix in 2006, Button achieved the pinnacle of his career when he became world champion in 2009.
Jenson Button of Great Britain and Brawn GP celebrates in parc ferme after clinching the F1 World Drivers Championship
(Image: Getty Images)
Hayesfield Girls’ School, Bath
41. Mary Berry
The much-loved baker became a fully fledged household name in 2010 when she became one of Britain’s favourite TV judges on the Great British Bake Off.
She also studied at Bath High School and Bath College of Domestic Science, in addition to her time at Hayesfield.
Ralph Allen School
42. Jeremy Guscott
Former Bath, England and British and Irish Lions player, Jeremy started off as a Ralph Allen student and then had jobs as a bricklayer, a bus driver for Badgerline in Bath, and in a public-relations role at British Gas before the game turned professional.
He’s now a BBC sports pundit.
Kingswood School
43. Tim Curry
The iconic Tim Curry is probably best known for his role as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Dressed in suspenders and high heels, his performance in the stage production even saw him nominated for a Tony Award.
Since then he has starred in Muppets Treasure Island, Home Alone 2 and as Pennywise in the original IT film.
Tim Curry is best known for playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Richard O’Brien’s musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
(Image: Hulton Archive)
King Edward’s School
44. Bill Bailey
Comedian Bill Bailey is best known for his thick West Country accent and his ability to make people laugh through music as well as stand-up.
He’s performed in front of members of the royal family at The Royal Variety Performance and often makes it back to his home region while on tour.
Bill Bailey is known for his long locks
(Image: PA)
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