By now everybody is aware of Ozzy Osbourne being from the second city. However, there are far more famous people that were born and raised in Birmingham than just the leading man from Black Sabbath. Here are a few people that you may not have realised were from the best city in the world.
Richard Hammond
The former Top Gear co-host was born and raised in Solihull before moving onto bigger things in the entertainment world. Hammond attended Solihull School and both his grandparents worked in the car industry in Birmingham. Aside from Top Gear, Hammond has worked on projects such as Brainiac: Science Abuse, Total Wipeout and Planet Earth Live. However, he can most commonly be seen now in Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour alongside his two mates Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
Bill Oddie
Oddie is an actor, comedian and a renowned conservationist. His main body of work has come on wildlife programmes such as Britain Goes Wild, Springwatch and How to Watch Wildlife. He is also a published author and has been a driving force in how people can chance to save the planet. However, his humble beginnings started in the West Midlands, and he attended King Edward’s School, where he captained the rugby team.
Kenny Baker
Baker was born in Birmingham on the 24th August 1934, and he is most notable for playing one of the most beloved film characters of all-time. He was an integral part of the initial Star Wars trilogy as he played the role of R2-D2. The film series went on to break all kinds of records, including being one of the highest-grossing movie franchises of all-time, and Baker almost turned down the role after he didn’t want to break up his comedy act that was in the finals of Opportunity Knocks. However, he was persuaded to take the role and played R2-D2 in the original trilogy, before helping Jimmy Vee for the role in the 2015 film The Last Jedi.
Cat Deeley
Deeley rose to prominence on SM: TV alongside a certain Ant and Dec. However, the TV presenter began her life in Sutton Coldfield and attended Grove Vale Junior School and then Bishop Vessey’s Grammar School. She hosted the 2004 Brit Awards and interviewed Kylie Minogue on numerous occasions before embarking on a different path to the Geordie duo as she moved to America. Here she starred in Deadbeat and has hosted quiz shows such as Big Star’s Little Star and the Celebrity Name Game. However, he is most notable in the US for her work on Dancing With The Stars, where she has been nominated for various Primetime Emmy’s.
Steven Knight
Knight was born in Birmingham in 1959 before going on to move to London to study screenwriting. However, his links to his home city have been overwhelming in all his work; including the critically acclaimed Peaky Blinders. Ahead of the latest season, which begins on the 25th August, you can read all about the real Peaky Blinders here. Knight has been the driving force in the success of the British gangster drama and has also created shows such as Taboo (starring Tom Hardy), and he was also one of the three creators for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Knight is often in the local area and is a frequent visitor at St Andrew’s to watch his beloved Birmingham City.
