Southampton - Notable People

Notable People

Notable people who either hail from Southampton or who have lived in the city include: Filmmakers Ken Russell and Chris Barfoot, who were both born in Southampton; Coldplay drummer, Will Champion, whose father and late mother taught at the university. Musician Aqualung was born in the city; R&B singer Craig David was brought up on the Holyrood estate in the city centre; SKY & International Radio Presenter Andy Collins and naturalist TV presenter Chris Packham are natives and Oscar-winning director of animated films Suzie Templeton grew up in Highfield. Southampton is also the origin of Drone Doom band Moss and alternative pop group Delays. Although many believe BBC Radio One DJ Scott Mills to come from the city he is actually from Eastleigh, he often states that his home was Southampton for convenience as many have not heard of Eastleigh, though comedian Benny Hill had a milk round there – the inspiration for his song Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West).

In the past, the city was home to Isaac Watts, a famous hymn writer, who notably composed O God, Our Help in Ages Past which is the school hymn of the King Edward VI school in the city and the peal of the Civic Centre clock tower.

Admiral John Jellicoe, commander of the British fleet at the Battle of Jutland was a Sotonian and Argentine governor Juan Manuel de Rosas spent his last years in exile in the city.

Merchant Mariner Charles Fryatt was born in Southampton in 1872.

Author Jane Austen lived at her brother Frank's home in Southampton from the autumn of 1806 to the spring of 1809.

Thriller writer Brian Freemantle was born in Southampton in 1936.

Matt Cardle, the winner of the 2010 series of X Factor, was born in Southampton.

Former England and Southampton footballer Matthew Le Tissier has lived in Southampton since the mid-1980s, and Olympic athlete Iwan Thomas lives there as did former tennis players Wally Masur and Eric Babin.