The Knowhere Guide

Local Heroes in Luton, Bedfordshire*

Luton, Bedfordshire Famous Residents

Cringing Cult of Celebrity (Famous residents and ex-residents.)

• John Hegley, poet. Paul Young.
• David Mcevoy. the man with the nicest hair in Britain.
• Martin Dimery: Writer and performer. Currently playing John Lennon in Sgt Pepper's Only Dart Board Band which led to the autobiography "Being John Lennon" covering much of his early life in Luton, particularly Icknield High School.
• Gary Cooper was a Dunstablian and went to Dunstable Boys grammer.
• Nush from BB4, my mum used to change Kerry Dixon's nappies. My cousins (married into the family) Ron and Paul Futcher
• The amazing might Bowfinger!
• The late Kenneth Williams (1926-1988) star of the Carry On film series briefly went to school in Luton during WW1 evacuation , at Beech Hill High School on the Dunstable Road.
• Graham French (formerly of Luton F.C.) lived with my husband's family in the late 70's. Paul Young lived and grew up in North West London. Lorraine Chase is not from Luton (just listen to the voice!), she just sang a song about the airport!
• I've been on Look East...Well, it was a bunch of us from 33 Arts Centre aout a poetry competition. Look it up, Aug-Sept 1996.
• The famous brand of beer 'Boddingtons' known as 'The cream of Manchester' is actually brew and distributed in a luton brewery!! There you go!- Dont believe me?? Look on the back of the can- it is.
• luton is the original home of my 2year old son's famous but now retired local hero boxer-BILLY SCHWER!
• Micheal Peters aka Charles Bronson, known as the hardest man in the uk prison system, and David Renwick, writer of one foot in the grave
• Paul Young Danny Canon
• Maria Cahill, the lithe, flame haired, former World Beach Ultimate Frisbee Champion was born in Luton before emigrating to Ireland.
• Mitchell Thomas (ex-Luton / Spurs / West Ham). Paul Young. Lorraine Chase.
• Charles Bronson. The UK's biggest scumbag comes from Luton.
• Please note correction, Paul Young went to Ashcroft High School not Stopsley like his brother Mark
• Colin Salmon ( Londons burning star) went to Ashcroft High School, Crawlwy Green Rd, Luton.
• Paul Young went to Stopsley High School with my Aunty. Henry Rhiney, British & European Welterweight Boxing Champion BEFORE Billy Schwer - incidently they shared the same trainer, go on Jack Linsey!!
• dirty dick the stopsley park kiddy fiddler he must be dead by now dirty old bastard.
• Lorraine Ch...no,no,no l can't say it.
• Danny Cannon, film director (The Young Americans, Judge Dredd)
• Kerry Dixon- former Chelsea playboy. Would have played for England more if that Gary Lineker didn't exist!
• Rodney Bewes late of the Likely Lads went briefly to Stopsley Sec Modern and lived in Hollybush Road
• Billy Schwer (champion boxer!) lives here - so does his boxer dad Billy Snr. David Pleat lives in Luton. Now defunct fanzine "D.Pleated" even released a 7" single dedicated to his second spell at the club. It was a dance mix of football commentary.
• Arthur Hailey author of 'Hotel' and 'Airport' was born and raised in Luton
• Diana Dors was a barmaid in "The Rabbit" pub in High Town Road.
• Eric Morecombe was a Director of Luton Town F.C in the 70's Britains Most Dangerous Prisoner (Official) Charles Bronson comes from Luton. His crimes are legendary. Including taking some Iraqi Plane Hijakers hostage whilst in Prison and demanding a Helicopter, a cup of tea and a blow up doll for their release. Rodney Bewes (Likely Lads) was born in Luton Gary Cooper (Hollywood fame) was born in Luton before emigratting as a child to USA in early 20th century
• Bruce Rioch (and his brother Neil) went to Stopsley High School and lived in Sunningdale.
• Larry Benjamin - Multi Millionaire Foreign Exchange Dealer.
• Jon Gosling joined The Kinks as keyboard player.
• Eric Morecambe (of Eric & Ernie) used to support Luton Town FC (and may have been associated with the team too) - he used to give it plugs on the Morecambe and Wise show!
• Part of Sean Connery's last bond film, "Never Say Never Again" was filmed at Luton Hoo.
• David Renwick went to the Grammar School in Bradgers Hill Road and wrote 'One Foot in the Grave' whilst living in Luton (Kingsdown Avenue). I believe he moved to Barton-le-Clay only relatively recently.
• World's best hypnotist "Norman Patterson" born in Luton 1940.
• The poet, John Hegley, supports Luton and is a very occasional visitor.
• Paul Young
• Eamon Andrews
• David Arnold
• Lorraine Chase

Buskers, Street Entertainers

• Plenty of Big Issue sellers - if you do feel the urge to purchase one the guy outside Lloyds Bank in the town centre is a very nice man!
• Man with bagpipes in full piper costume (kilt, bearskin, long white socks - bless him!)
• Just aviod eye contact - look in a bag or pretend to wave at someone you've just seen and the rush off
• St.georges square good for wino's and assylum seekers singing brother can you spare a dime.
• Luton is home to the worst Busker in Britain - he plays, everyday without fail, just outside the Barclays bank in town. Just go and listen!!
• You can normally find a wide variety of Drunks, Bums and Gobshite's in StGeorge's Square, in the Town Centre. Some of their antic's are hilarious

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Credits

Last updated: 2007-10-06