Petula Clark – November 15, 1932
Petula Clark made her BBC radio debut at the age of nine. That was close to World War II, and within a few years, she was performing at prominent locations like the Royal Albert Hall. She continues to be active in the twenty-first century and has one of the longest singing careers in the United Kingdom. Clark’s most fascinating element of her career is her ability to sing lyrics in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish while releasing nearly 45 studio albums. Aside from that, she has appeared as an actor in other films, including “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “The Runaway Bus,” and “Escape Room.”
Petula Clark – November 15, 1932
Cliff Richard – October 14, 1940
Cliff Richard is a British-born musician who became one of the world’s best-selling performers, selling over 250 million records in six decades. Richard has dual British and Barbadian citizenship. He is also the third best-selling artist in the United Kingdom, trailing only The Beatles and Elvis Presley. He published his debut album in 1959 and his 57th studio album, “Christmas with Cliff,” in 2022. Richard wrote his autobiography “The Dreamer: An Autobiography” in 2020, and he has been in various films and TV programs. He played a supporting role in the 2012 film “Run for Your Wife.”
Cliff Richard – October 14, 1940
Sheree Murphy – August 22, 1975
Sheree Murphy was born in London in 1975 and has been in a number of prominent English soaps. These include shows such as “Only Fools and Horses,” “Emmerdale,” “Hollyoaks,” and “Neighbors.” In the former, she had a modest but noticeable role that helped her gain the attention of TV program producers as a bright talent. Murphy has also been on several reality television shows. She finished second on the fifth season of “I’m a Celebrity…”Get Me Out of Here!” and was a finalist on “Celebrity MasterChef” in 2015. Soon after, she was cast as host of “Yes Chef!”
Sheree Murphy – August 22, 1975
Judi Dench – December 9, 1934
Judi Dench is a highly dynamic actor with nearly seven decades of expertise. She has appeared in over 130 films as an actress and won an Academy Award for her supporting performance in the 1998 picture “Shakespeare in Love.” Dench sincerely believes that age is only a number, nothing more. She has demonstrated the ability to perform even better than she did decades before, and she continues to be rewarded and acknowledged for it. She is an Officer and Dame Commander in the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to the British entertainment sector.
Judi Dench – December 9, 1934
Eileen Atkins – June 16, 1934
Eileen Atkins was born in 1934 and has worked as an actor in cinema, theater, and television since 1953. She not only continues to amuse her fans with outstanding performances, but she has also continuously won accolades and titles for her efforts. She even joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1957, when she began her theatrical career. In 2007, Atkins began playing in the TV drama series “Cranford” alongside Judi Dench and Michael Gambon, and she went on to win a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Fans particularly applauded her performance as Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 2010 film “Robin Hood”.
Eileen Atkins – June 16, 1934
Hugh Grant – September 9, 1960
Hugh Grant made his cinematic debut in 1982 with “Privileged,” and by 2018, he had appeared in over 60 films. These films grossed around $3 billion across 29 theatrical releases. His breakthrough came with the 1987 film “Maurice,” for which he also received the Volpi Cup. The 1990s were a period of numerous successful undertakings for Grant. After appearing in “Sense and Sensibility” and the romantic comedy “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain,” he rose to prominence with the 1994 picture “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” He’s been nominated for two Emmys, including one for “The Undoing.”
Hugh Grant – September 9, 1960
Claudia Winkleman – January 15, 1972
Claudia Winkleman’s first important part was in the 1992 television series “Holiday.” However, her most recognized project was presenting the reality TV show “Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two” from 2004 to 2010. She later began hosting “Strictly Come Dancing” alongside Tess Daily in 2012 and has remained on the show to this day. Aside from that, Winkleman has hosted various other TV shows, including “Comic Relief Does Fame Academy,” “The House of Tiny Tearaways,” and “Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century.” She has also had several radio ventures and has been a regular on BBC Radio 2’s mid-morning show since 2021.
Claudia Winkleman – January 15, 1972
Davina McCall – October 16, 1967
Davina McCall, born in Wimbledon in 1967, has hosted several of the UK’s most well-known reality TV shows. These include “Streetmate,” “The Million Pound Drop,” and “Five Minutes to a Fortune” on Channel 4, as well as “The Biggest Loser,” “Long Lost Family,” and “This Time Next Year” on ITV. Nonetheless, McCall’s most well-known project to date is hosting the series “Big Brother” and “Celebrity Big Brother.” In addition to her regular responsibilities, she did some acting. She was one of the leads in the sitcom “Sam’s Game” and played herself in the “Big Brother” parody “Dead Set.” Garnier also hires her to represent the brand in the UK.
Davina McCall – October 16, 1967
Charlotte Hawkins – May 16, 1975
Charlotte Hawkins is a British television and radio broadcaster who rose to prominence following a lengthy career in the media. She began by hosting “Meridian Tonight,” ITV’s primary news show, in 2003. She later changed channels to watch Sky’s breakfast show, “Sunrise.” She has hosted ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” since 2014. Hawkins has also featured as a guest on various television shows, including the 15th season of “Strictly Come Dancing.” She also actively engages in charities dedicated to the control of dangerous diseases and supports the Dog Trust, where she adopted a pet in 2013.
Charlotte Hawkins – May 16, 1975
Paul Gascoigne – May 27, 1967
Paul John Gascoigne was an offensive midfielder for the English national soccer team and different teams during his career. Throughout these two decades, he had received numerous trophies and distinctions, including BBC Sports Personality of the Year and PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year. In 2002, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. With popularity came huge chances, which he seized with both hands. He received numerous brand endorsements and wrote approximately ten books, including several autobiographies. He also appeared as a guest on other talk shows and reality television shows, including “Loose Women.”
Paul Gascoigne – May 27, 1967
Jason Flemyng – September 25, 1966
Jason Flemyng has had some memorable supporting roles throughout his acting career. His performances in films like “Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels,” “Snatch,” “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” were especially noteworthy. Flemyng was born in Putney, London, to a film and television director. He was inspired at a young age and began acting in theatrical shows at school. His first film roles were Wilkins in 1994’s “Jungle Book” and Emile in “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles.” By 2022, he has appeared in over 130 films as an actor. Aside from that, he has created six titles, according to his IMDb biography.
Jason Flemyng – September 25, 1966
Penny Smith – September 21, 1958
Penny Smith became a regular contributor to TalkTV following its introduction in April 2022. Previously, she has worked for several successful and popular radio and television stations, including Sky News, GMTV, Classic FM, and BBC Radio London. She also hosts a drivetime show for Scala Radio. Smith has written for newspapers, published three books, and appeared in the comedy film “There’s No Business…” She is also recognized for releasing three yoga videos: “Penny Smith’s Power Yoga,” “Penny Smith’s Essential Guide to Yoga,” and “Penny Smith’s Yoga Masterclass.”
Penny Smith – September 21, 1958
Helen Mirren – July 26, 1945
Helen Mirren is an outstanding English actress who has won 23 awards and has 68 nominations. She was born in 1945 and has been working since the age of twenty. Throughout her career, she has appeared in over 130 titles. She starred in the film “Last Station,” for which she received an Academy Award nomination. Mirren received widespread praise in the early twenty-first century for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film “The Queen.” She portrayed the titular part in the miniseries “Catherine the Great” and was the star of several fantasy and reality biopics made during this time.
Helen Mirren – July 26, 1945
Brian May – July 19, 1947
Over the last few decades, the United Kingdom has produced some fantastic performers and bands, with Queen standing out among the best. Brian May was Queen’s founder, principal guitarist, and lyricist for the entirety of the band’s existence. Some of May’s best works of all time are the lyrics to their songs “We Will Rock You,” “Fat Bottomed Girls,” and “Too Much Love Will Kill You.” He was scheduled to tour with his band in 2020. However, the lockdowns caused a delay in those preparations. In 2005, he was made Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Brian May – July 19, 1947
Ringo Starr – July 7, 1940
Speaking about the best rock artists, Ringo Starr was a singer, lyricist, and drummer for the renowned band The Beatles. He began performing professionally in the late 1950s, switching between several acts, including Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, until settling on The Beatles in 1962. Starr was fortunate for the band, as they became renowned a year after he joined them. The drummer was so well-known that “I love Ringo” lapel buttons were the band’s best-selling product at one point. After The Beatles disbanded, Harrison released approximately 20 studio albums.
Ringo Starr – July 7, 1940
Hank Marvin – October 28, 1941
Hank Marvin, born Brian Robson Rankin, decided to change his stage name when he went professional. He began playing the banjo and piano as a child, before becoming influenced by guitarist and composer Buddy Holly. He first played in a few bands before launching a solo career in the late 1960s. According to Guitar.com, Marvin defined the innovative role of lead guitarist. He impacted the careers of several emerging guitarists, including Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck. He frequently collaborates with pals that perform in his hometown of Perth, Australia.
Hank Marvin – October 28, 1941
Paul McCartney – June 18, 1942
In the 1960s, Paul McCartney was one of the musicians that altered the path of British history. He was a member of the renowned band The Beatles, who split just a decade after its inception. Throughout his career, he would co-write songs and perform as a vocalist, as well as play a variety of instruments. McCartney was knighted by the Queen in 1997 and awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1965. He also received other honors. He received 18 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award, as well as two inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Paul McCartney – June 18, 1942
Judy Geeson – September 10, 1948
Fans of 1960s and 1970s television and movies may recall the well-known British actress Judy Geeson. After a notable leadership role in the drama series “The Newcomers,” she made her cinematic debut with “To Sir, with Love.” That marked the beginning of an era, and Geeson proceeded to feature in other titles throughout the 1970s. After nearly five decades, she maintained her acting career with the same zeal, appearing in films such as “The Lords of Salem,” “Last Call in the Dog House,” and “The Wrong Husband.” Geeson also did theater, appearing in over ten dramas between 1972 and 2002.
Judy Geeson – September 10, 1948
Jean Marsh – July 1, 1934
Jean Marsh is best known for her role as Rose Buck in the British television series “Upstairs, Downstairs,” which ran from 1971 to 1975. The show was revived for five more episodes between 2010 and 2012, and Marsh’s performance was likely much better, if not identical. She appeared in the short film “Outlier” in 2014, and then took an extended vacation. That was until 2022, when she played Queen Bavmorda in an episode of the TV show “Willow.” This was a sequel to the 1988 film of the same name, in which Marsh portrayed the same character.
Jean Marsh – July 1, 1934
Helena Bonham Carter – May 26, 1966
Helena Bonham Carter is a British actress who has received two Oscar nominations over her career. The first was for her supporting part in “The King’s Speech,” and the second for her lead in “The Wings of the Dove.” To “Harry Potter” fans, she is most known as Bellatrix Lestrange, the film’s nemesis. Carter was married to director Tim Burton for 13 years after 2001, and she appeared in a number of his films, typically opposite Jhonny Depp. These movies were: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” or “Alice in Wonderland.”
Helena Bonham Carter – May 26, 1966
Kate Winslet – October 5, 1975
Kate Winslet made film history when she costarred with Leonardo DiCaprio in James Cameron’s 1997 picture “Titanic.” The film went on to win 11 Oscars and was the highest-grossing film of the period, with Winslet receiving 21 nominations for her role. Aside from that, she has appeared in a number of other films and television episodes, including “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “Sense and Sensibility,” and “The Reader.” She was formerly married to filmmaker Sam Mendes from 2003 to 2011 and appeared in his 2008 film “Revolutionary Road” opposite DiCaprio.
Kate Winslet – October 5, 1975
Kate Beckinsale – July 26, 1973
Kate Beckinsale is certainly superb at playing harsh characters, which is why she has been cast as a lead in films like “Underworld” (2003) and its sequel. She even played the heroic damsel Anna Valerious in the 2004 film “Van Helsing.” Beckinsale’s career began in the UK in 1991, with early appearances in the films “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Prince of Jutland.” Soon after her success, her partner began acting on Broadway, and she began auditioning for Hollywood films. One of her first films in America was 1998’s “The Last Days of Disco.”
Kate Beckinsale – July 26, 1973
Mary Berry – March 24, 1935
Mary Berry, a cook and baker, took her talents to the media and has since become extremely popular. She studied catering in college before moving to France to pursue culinary skills. In the early 1970s, she cooked for several food authorities and wrote her first cookbook, “The Hamlyn All Colour Cook Book.” Since then, she has written scores of other books, hosted a variety of cooking shows and features on television, including “Mary Berry Cook And Share,” and served as a judge on other food series, including “Celebrity Best Home Cook” and “The Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years in Baking.”
Mary Berry – March 24, 1935
Shirley Ballas – September 6, 1960
Shirley Ballas was born in Cheshire in 1960 and began dancing competitively at the age of seven. At the age of 23, she won the Blackpool Dance Festival with her ex-husband Sammy Stopford. After their divorce, she married Corky Ballas in 1985, and they both won the same competition. By 1996, she had retired from dance to work as a professional coach and judge. Shirley has been the lead judge for “Strictly Come Dancing” since 2017, and she has also appeared as an expert on “Dancing with the Stars.” She took part in “Taskmaster” and “Saturday Kitchen” in 2021.
Shirley Ballas – September 6, 1960
Catherine Zeta-Jones – September 25, 1969
Catherine Zeta-Jones has built a reputation as a diverse actress in Hollywood. She became well-known and gained a fan base as a regular in the 1990s British TV series “The Darling Buds of May.” Her early Hollywood performances included films like “The Mask of Zorro” and “Entrapment.” The actress entered a new era in the ’00s with her performance in the 2002 picture “Chicago,” which earned her an Oscar. She has also appeared in high-profile films like “Intolerable Cruelty,” “Ocean’s Twelve,” and “The Terminal.” Fast forward to the 1920s, and Zeta-Jones stars as Morticia Addams in the critically acclaimed Netflix TV series Wednesday.
Catherine Zeta Jones – September 25, 1969
Julie Walters – February 22, 1950
Julie Walters’ childhood in England was not without its challenges. She quickly realized she was not cut out for formal schooling and, on her mother’s suggestion, pursued a career in nursing before going on to study acting at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre. Her on-screen career began with a series of modest roles in the mid-1970s. Nonetheless, her skills and competence contributed to her success in life. She received an Oscar nomination for her supporting performance in “Billy Elliot” and her main part in “Educating Rita.” Her performance as Molly Weasley in the “Harry Potter” film series was equally remarkable.
Julie Walters – February 22, 1950
Naomi Watts – September 28, 1968
Fans of Naomi Watts may never forget her performances as Betty Elms in “Mulholland Drive” and Lesley in “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).” She, like most other performers, struggled to get started in her career. She first appeared in commercials before getting cast in the 1986 film “For Love Alone.” Her breakthrough came much later, in 1999, when filmmaker David Lynch cast her in “Mulholland Drive.” The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2001, where it gained widespread appreciation and recognition. Watts was honored with the National Society of Film Critics’ Best Actress Award for her performance.
Naomi Watts – September 28, 1968
Jenny Agutter – December 20, 1952
Jenny Agutter’s career as a child actress began at the age of 12. She went on to appear in the movies “East of Sudan” and “Star!” She also acted in two versions of “The Railway Children” as a teenager, followed by a third edition named “The Railway Children Return” in 2022. Agutter was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2012, and she has been nominated for and won numerous other accolades, including a Primetime Emmy for the TV series “The Snow Goose.” Her depiction of Sister Julienne in the BBC TV series “Call the Midwife” from 2012 until 2022 received international praise.
Jenny Agutter – December 20, 1952
Sandie Shaw – February 26, 1947
Sandie Shaw was born in Essex, UK, in 1947. She began singing in 1964 and retired five decades later, having released seven studio albums. “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me,” “Long Live Love,” and “Puppet on a String” were three of her 1960s hits that topped the British charts. The 1960s were a golden era for her, as she frequently performed on the series “Top of the Pops, Ready Steady Go!” and “Thank Your Lucky Stars.” She featured as a guest on BBC Radio 4’s “The Reunion” in 2014, among other iconic figures from the era, including Petula Clark and Helen Shapiro.
Sandie Shaw – February 26, 1947
Vinnie Jones – January 5, 1965
Initially, Vinnie Jones played soccer for the Welsh national team and the Queens Park Rangers club. He resigned from the fields in 1999, having previously acted in Guy Ritchie’s smash film “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.” That was his breakthrough, and he went on to star in a number of other hits in 2000. Some of his most notable works are “Snatch,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” and “X-Men: The Last Stand.” After establishing himself as a macho actor, he was cast again as an Albanian gangster in the 2021 TV series “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”
Vinnie Jones – January 5, 1965
Thandiwe Newton – November 6, 1972
Thandiwe Newton played madam Maeve Millay, a robot, in the drama series “Westworld.” This became one of her most notable efforts to date, earning her a Primetime Emmy and a Critics Choice Award, as well as a Golden Globe nomination. She had previously had several prominent roles, including Linda Gardner in Will Smith’s “The Pursuit of Happyness” and Nyah Nordoff-Hall in Tom Cruise’s action film “Mission: Impossible 2.” She is an appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and PETA named her the UK’s S*xiest Vegan in 2014.
Thandiwe Newton – November 6, 1972
Olivia Colman – January 30, 1974
Olivia Colman is an acclaimed actress who won an Oscar for her performance in the 2018 comedy picture “The Favorite,” and she has received Academy Award nominations for her roles in “The Father” and “The Lost Daughter.” She has also won a Primetime Emmy and three Golden Globes. Colman portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix television series “The Crown,” and she has also been in films such as “Empire of Light,” “Murder on the Orient Express,” and “The Iron Lady.” She was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2019 and has appeared in four professional theater productions.
Olivia Colman – January 30, 1974
Emma Thompson – April 15, 1959
Emma Thompson has received numerous awards, which is quite impressive. She has received numerous prizes, including two Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, and two Oscars. She has almost 90 acting credits in only the first four decades of her career. One of her Academy Awards was for authoring the script for the 1995 picture “Sense and Sensibility.” While making this film, she met her future husband, Greg Wise, whom she married in 2003. The couple now have a daughter together. Thompson is also an activist who frequently advocates for environmental protection and opposes global warming.
Emma Thompson – April 15, 1959
Peter Dean – May 2, 1939
Actress Prunella Scales persuaded Peter Dean to follow his dream of becoming an actor. He then began training with theater director Joan Littlewood. After that, he played a number of minor roles on screen before obtaining his breakout role as Jack Lynn in the 1978 television series “Law & Order.” However, his most notable parts have to be Pete Beale in the soap opera “EastEnders” and Jeff Bateman in the popular 1960s television drama “Coronation Street.” The previous persona was so popular that he continued to portray it in the spoof TV shows “Bo’ Selecta!” and “Comedy Lab.” He played Father David in the 2016 comedy film “Nearly New.”
Peter Dean – May 2, 1939
Jodie Whittaker – June 17, 1982
Jodie Whittaker rose to prominence as an actor after playing Jessie in the 2006 film “Venus,” for which she won a British Independent Film Award. The actress had started her career in theatre. However, she ventured into radio, film, and television. She played Peter Capaldi in “Twice Upon a Time.” Fans and critics praised Whittaker’s performance as Sam in the sci-fi horror-comedy “Attack the Block”. At the same time, she played the Doctor in 32 episodes of the popular British television series “Doctor Who,” becoming the first woman to play the iconic character. She married Christian Contreras, an actor and writer, in 2008.
Jodie Whittaker – June 17, 1982
Rachel Weisz – March 7, 1970
Despite making her theatrical debut in the 1990s and her first onscreen role in the film “Death Machine,” she rose to international prominence after playing Evelyn Carnahan in “The Mummy.” That paved the way for her to take on large-scale projects. She went on to star in films including “About a Boy,” “Constantine,” and “The Fountain.” She had a five-year romance with filmmaker Darren Aronofsky. However, they split up, and she married “James Bond” actor Daniel Craig only a year later. She received an Oscar for her supporting part in the 2005 film “The Constant Gardener.”
Rachel Weisz – March 7, 1970
Robert Carlyle – April 14, 1961
Robert Carlyle was born and bred in Scotland, and as a teenager, he worked as a painter and decorator with his father. At the age of 21, he became interested in drama at the Glasgow Arts Centre and went on to graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. He had a successful career in the late 1990s, appearing in two huge hit films. He played Francis Begbie in “Trainspotting” and Gaz in “The Full Monty,” which were arguably his most recognized performances. He even played Renard, the arch-villain, in Pierce Brosnan’s “James Bond” film “The World Is Not Enough.”
Robert Carlyle – April 14, 1961
Rowan Atkinson – January 6, 1955
It might be difficult to tell the difference between an actor and a character. Rowan Atkinson will always be recognized as Mr. Bean, just as Hugh Jackman is known as The Wolverine. Even though he has been on a number of other television shows, including “Not the Nine O’Clock News” and “Blackadder.” Atkinson has also appeared in other films. While he played a priest in “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and a villain in the “Scooby Doo” film series, he starred as a fumbling secret agent in “Jhonny English.” Atkinson was most recently featured in Netflix’s comedic series “Man vs. Bee.”
Rowan Atkinson – January 6, 1955
Sarah Lancashire – October 10, 1964
Sarah Lancashire is from Oldham and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her most well-known roles came in the television programs “Coronation Street,” “Where the Heart Is,” and “Clocking Off.” She has won two British Academy Television Awards for her acting work. Lancashire, who is also an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, continued to work into her fourth decade with a few notable appearances, including the title role in “Julia” and Sgt Catherine Cawood in “Happy Valley.” The former received positive feedback, and the creators opted to renew the series just three months after it premiered.
Sarah Lancashire – October 10, 1964
Shirley Cheriton – June 28, 1955
Shirley Cheriton rose to international prominence as Debbie Wilkins in the soap series “EastEnders”. She later played Miss Prescott in the television series “Are You Being Served? Again!” and Mrs. Spalden in one episode of “FM.” Aside from that, she has played a total of 41 parts. Cheriton has been married twice, with the first marriage to police officer Howard Spinks ending in a divorce with one kid. Her second marriage to her “EastEnders” co-star Davidson did not last long. Cheriton never officially declared her retirement. However, it hasn’t been on screen since 2009.
Shirley Cheriton – June 28, 1955