The Knowhere Guide

Local Heroes in St Helens, Merseyside*

St Helens, Merseyside Famous Residents

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

• With regards to Mr. So & So, Dave Foster (Guitarist) still lives in St.Helens.
• Lazarus - officially more annoying than Oasis. Fucking dire music though.
• just to bring us into 21st century Ray French, drummer from Sad Cafe Gasgoine famile of Bamber fame oh and the Kaleidoscope record shop cos it's mentioned in MOJO
• dam robinson - The best writer and poet from St. Helens, who's now gigged all over the country, will be on a small tour of Europe this year and has been published in numerous worldwide magazines and has won poetry slams. He also hosts originality at the Citadel.
• Gary Stretch the ex-boxer from haresfinch moved to LA, hooked up with Raquel Welch and now features in an Oliver Stone movie "Alexander" of all things!!!!
• Anyone who has ever left deserves a medal. St Helens is a hard habit to break, but God bless all who do...
• I cant beleive That no1 has mentioned the one and onl D1CK BOND "licence to thrill" and his lady in waiting STALKER, D1CK BOND is the best entertainer this side ov stinkie brook men women and children they all love him you go D1CK !!!! Another favourite ov us elder ones is DJ kev and bernard regulars in the engine in parr now making it big on ROCK FM, Well done lads !!!
• the world famous john bonney (not to be mistook with john booney)
• NUTTALL ENGINEER,CROSSLEY CAR DESIGNER,BEECHAM(SIR) MUSIC CONDUCTOR,DONT FORGET GEOFF DUKE,WORLD SUPREMO MOTOR CYCLIST,LAST HEARD OPF IN THE ISLE OF MAN
• Any one who leaves this town dosent deserve recognision,no one is bigger than the town, big up johnny vegas, keepin it real on prescott road
• johnny vegas, saints rlfc, lord pilkington, the beechams guy
• Alex Murphy and Austin Rhoads...do you remember them?
• Louise glover is getting more famous by the min most recently for her services to the boy bend blue, you go girl !!!!!!!!!!! And i would like to congratulate Parrs, Ste Farmworth who has just filmed a film, with the great Clint Eastwood only out in the UK in November Ste and Clint star as sharp shooters for N.Y.P.D good look Ste the pints ov mild r on you !!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Louise Glover,shes been Miss St.helens for 4 years now,a Miss great britain finalist for 2 years, and our very own Louise Glover went as Miss Great Britain in the Philippeans Asia, when she went november 2002 for 5 weeks to compete in Miss Earth - Beauties for a cause 2003. Then Louise Glover came home with an even better sash, Miss Talented 2003, Were she danced to the song (im you venus, im your darling, your desire )(oh in philippeans language,that won the crowds straight away) in a union jack bikini in front of 11 thousand philipeanos and live asian tv. Louise Glover made head lines the next day on front cover of the philipeano news papers, theres no over way of saying it, Louise Glover is a star in the making. for the 20year old bubbly brunette this is just the begining... watch this space!!!
• Jackie Abbott Johnny Vegas Cheggers
• Lily Parr, the greatest footballer ever, was born in Stellins. She started playing for Dick Kerr Ladies in 1917 when she was 14 and stopped playing when she was 46. She's the only woman in the National Football Hall Of Fame. SO WHY DON"T ANYONE IN ST HELENS KNOW THIS?????
• The girl who played Penny Robinson in 'Lost in Space' is a member of the Cartwright family formerly of Peasley Cross, I understand her sister does one of the 'Simpsons' voices. Also the guy who invented talking movies was from Duke Street, he pioneered sound in the moves, it was not Gene Kelly.
• Andy Lynch who writes Brookside and Jonny Vegas live in St Helens. so does Jacqui Abbott (ex beautiful south. Phil Redmond worked in st helens and named grange hill after grange park school. Bernie Clifton is from St Helens too.
• Jonny Vegas God Help You (yes he lives on Prescott Road but I bet you wished he was a Scouser - what bloody accent is he speaking in, He is From Grange Park/Thatto heath (Well Elm St) and his Mum and Dad do not speak like him, it could be worse I suppose your best advert after fatso is Bernie Clifton. (HELP)?
• Johnny Vegas, and, erm, Saints. That's it. Sod off.
• johnny vegas
• Bernie Clifton, Gary Stretch, Jaquie Abbott, Jonnie Vegas, Mike Sheron
• jonny vegas, huh, watta scruffy ugly get!!!
• Rory McGrath - hairy monster. Saw him on the Holiday programme saying he lived in St Helens when he as a kid and used to go to Blackpool for his holidays.
• John Connolly - used to play for Man Utd and was in the 1966 World Cup Squad. Came from Ellison Drive and knew mi mum. Not to be mistaken with pie-eating RL referee of same name.
• just a note, Genghis Grimes are now called Second Sunset. Know this cos the guitarist lives next door.
• johhny vegas classic and louise glover mmmmmm
• Pete Waterman used to spend alot of time in Newton-le-Willows, must've been when they were filming the hitman and her in warrington. Guess thats also when he found Rick Astley. Also Al Gornall who was in a band called the Blackwells in the 60's, they were in the film Ferry Across the Mersey. Al still plays in clubs up and down the country today!
• Warrior from gladiators lived in sutton
• Paul Cunliffe (SADFISH) an ex band member with Crash Band and sadfish. ANNE ROBINSON was born in Somerset st in PArr before her parents re-located to Birmingham.
• Dave Madge, author of 'A Comedy of Terrors' A book that makes sweet love to your eyes. If you're on a humor diet, read this and become a fat bastard!
• Mr. So & So supported Marillion a few times and they are from St. Helens (well I think two of them were)
• That girl who played the daughter of Rita on corrie went to my school (Cowley) and Mr.Ryder used to use it as some sort of motivation for us to do better. "You'll end up like her" etc... Thank fuck I didnt!
• Johnny Vegas! of course.
• Bernie Clifton,Johnny Vegas,Rick Astley(N-L-W)Mmmmmmmm TOMMY MARTIN.
• DAVID TENCH (FROM DE LA SALLE CLASS OF '93)NOW ON THE SATURDAY SHOW AS THE KEYBOARD PLAYER
• johnny vegas - wahey
• Did anyone see Dean Houghton walking past Johnny Vegas when he was on Parbold Ave for the Big Brekky!!
• the man who wrote the mew madchester film 24 hour party people is from rainhill
• hail glorious johnny vegas ! warrior fat bloke who couldn't play rugby at school, that bloke who rode an ostrich,
• jeff duke.
• Jonny Vegas
• Jonny Vegas was in my college 2day (Carmel). he's a cool guy! He is soooooooo funny and actually dresses really cool in real life! apparantly hes a m8 of my art teachers coz he used 2 study art there!
• ST.HELENS RUGBY STARS SOMTIMES DRINK IN THE SINBIN, MIGHT CATCH THEM AFTER A GAME, AND VILA OWNS THE BAR.
• Johnny Welly - The greatest living entertainer in history. Also Johnny Vegas and Bernie Clifton (wow).
• jonny vegas in the pics or the nexus n al the local skool teachers in nexus (the doc.fairhurst from rhs!!!!!)
• The brid from the beautiful south, she got hounded once in the toliets of the plaza. Johnny Vegas - did anyone hear his comdey awards speech?
• Chad Jackson "Hear the Drummer Get Wicked" ???? An Eccleston boy I think...
• What ever hapened to ghengis grimes? I sumtimes see the drunken keyboard player flying around on his push iron?
• Johnny Vegas, Saints rubgy team, Jenny from Atomic Kitten
• There are many famous people in St helens who have not had a mention in the list so far, i.e Mark fryer well known in the pubs of parr for his antics who recently went to show off his show in Australia and is now making big bucks there is also Ste Atherton, A mea with more sex drive then a entire ship off saliors who have been at sea for ten years he can tap the women like no man before so he will be well know !!!!
• Johnny Vegas. Scouse loving tramp.
• Purple 'Acky is famous to every bloke in St Helens. His 'do you do weights?' question sends a shivere down every spine, except John Hitchin who will gladly flex and pose all day. Ste 'get involved' Cook, the master of the nude scene and teller of the greatest tales. You've never been out if you haven't 'ad a good look at it with Cookie
• bobby goulding, arms round two teenagers face hangin off on a sunday night after being battered for uttering those immortel words "do you know who i am" yes i do mate thats why im gonna kick your arse
• Gary Owen from Clock Face played for Man CitY in the late 70s.
• GARY OWENS EX FOOTBALLER WHO PLAYED WITH MAN CITY &WBA WAS FROM CLOCK FACE
• Don't forget Janice Long is Cheggers sister... so she must be from Rainford too, . Geoff Duke, one time Motorcycling World Champion, (according to my Dad) I'll come back when I've remembered some more.
• ST BERNARD................what a star!!!
• Johnny Vagas always in Nexus what more do you want and for that all round entertainment what about some of the talent thats out on a Saturday night
• apart from me? im on my way seein as Blankety Blank has been shown after 10 years and strangers keep telling me theyve seen me
• I once saw Jackie Abbott (of Beautiful South) walk into Cheung Wah (when it was opposite Theatre Royal) and ask for a jumbo sausage with no chips and wrapped to take home. She left the shop licking her lips not realising we were there.
• The woman from the original Gold Blend advert used to go to Lowe House junior school
• bernie clifton ( the one with the emu )
• REMEMBER HILDA SEDDON SANG IN MOST CLUBS AROUND ST HELENS YEARS AGO
• HELEN PICKAVANCE (woods)FROM ST HELENS STARRED IN "OLIVER" WITH OLIVER REED.NOW IN EIGHTIES LIVING IN CANADA
• the woman singer in the beutiful south.......mike sheron footballer.......
• Barbara Jacobs the author/journalist/astrologist and well known Agony Aunt on Radio and television.
• Big Daddy, Johnny Vegas and St.Bernard.
• Elton welsby does not come from St Helens, He's from Rainhill. Along with Steve copple.
• councilar watts (gay german from allo allo )
• the old chap in cap and overcoat who used to hang around burkills tay stall in the old covered market i think folk called him billy.does anyone remember him he was a riot. also the actor herbert mundin came from peasly cross.he played in robin hood with errol flynn.mutiny on the bounty with charles luaghton
• Stephanie Faugier - went to make films with Mike Leigh (last time I heard) Warren Joyce - ex Bolton Wanderers, Lancashire Cricket Club, last heard of as manager of Hull City. The Follin Brothers - Tim and Geoff - legends in the computer games music scene - no self-respecting computer games nerdy website can fail to mention them. The bloke who wrote the tune to the hymn "Fight the Good Fight" wrote the tune whilst staying in a house in Duke Street in the 1700s. Consequently, he named the tune "Duke Street".
• Arthur Thacker is from St Helens, as was the girl who used to be in 'Black Beauty' - not the original one but the one with the big teeth. Colin Welland is from Newton and used to live in Tellins. And the world's greatest Author Alan Sillitoe was stationed at Burtonwood after the war - he mentions St Helens in his autobiography, 'Life Without Armour'.
• Arthur Thacker, the most popular Net-abuser on Usenet and the Web. Born in Blackbrook and brought up in Eccleston. Gillars Green, to be exact - the hardest place in all Tellins.
• Stevie Wonder lived in St.Helens for two years after he left the US because he refused to fight in Vietnam. It was in St.Helens that he lost his sense of smell after he fell into a septic tank and contracted typhoid.
• Jonny Vegas, Rick Astley (All Crap) Budgie (Siouxies Hubs and ex drummer)
• NICK McCABE THE BETTER HALF OF THE VERVE(ALSO A YICKER).PLUS HIS DAD TAUGHT ME TO DRIVE!WHEN HE WASN'T ASLEEP
• If visiting chain lane please see our local tour guide John Paul Dawson.
• Mike Sheron who plays football for Barnsley, previously Man City, Stoke, Norwich and QPR was originally from St Helens
• No matter how nice Pimmy's pies are, Mr Pimblett doesn't deserve to be on here cos he's a robbing b*****d! Every time I go (saturday) they've gone up a penny!
• Mr Barton of Bartons pickles , he's a star in my book! Keep up the good work they taste great! knight that man! (along with Mr Pimblett)
• Well Rick Astley was from Newton-le-Willows and you can't get more famous than that now can you.
• Bernard DWYER drinks in The Elephant
• Well what about Mathew Crompton, PC Sam Harker in the Bill also played Jackie Dixons boyfriend in Brookie.
• Bill Foulkes of Man Utd Euro cup winners '68. The only non rugby sports star from St Helens.
• Elton Welsby commentator Big Daddy the wrestler married a St Helens girl. Sue Johnson of Brookside, (from Blackbrook). Gary Stretch the boxer. and lets not forget LEE ATHERTON soon to be Mr Tina Dingle.(he has appeared in Cracker, Holly Oaks, Brookside and Emerdale.
• We have Jackie Abbott who Lives in Eccleston.Susie and the Banchees (eighties band) drmmer lives in Old Eccleston.A couple of Rugby players.
• Poisoned Electrick Head , Genghis Grimes , Thee I Spit on your Graves
• Warrior from the gladiators is from baxters Lane, Sutton. he was my bro's mate at school Now in jail - ooops!
• Cheggers hails from Rainford North End, and is definitely more St. Helens than Bootle.
• Andy Lynch (T.V.writer of various programmes including 'BROOKSIDE'), lived in Toll Bar.(the posh part of Thatto Heath)!!!
• I can't believe no one has opened up the "Is Billinge in Wigan or St. Helens debate. Cos if it is we can nab Rick Astley - Were never gonna give him up!
• Johnny Vegas Numerous big geezers who play/played with funny shaped balls
• I'm surprised nobody has yet mentioned Sir Thomas Beecham, the conductor. Or does nobody like classical music any more? And yes, he did belong to the family of pharmaceutical fame.
• The girl that played Penny Robinson in old Lost in Space TV series was from St. Helens
• Cheggars was from Rainford!!! Bill clintons brother was born in st hellins, in a two bed flat in parr
• In 1973 St Helens was amalgamated into Mersyside the last mayor of the original St Helens was Cnsl. Harry Williams.
• Jacqui Abbottfrom Beautiful South. (She actually thinks St H is like summer bay??)
• The first president of New Zealand was a St.Helener.
• Can't think of any celebs from here except for Keith Chegwin, who doesn't really count. [But surely Cheggers has also been claimed by nearbyBootle...]

Buskers, Street Entertainers

• THE MAN WHO IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY INSANE AND IS SO USED TO A HOMELESS LIFESTYLE THAT WHEN HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT HOUR OF THE DAY IT IS HE ASKS "HAVE YOU GOT ANY SPARE TIME PLEASE"
• Theres only one - Johnny Wellies!!!! he used to follow me when i walked to work to 'make sure i didnt get any hassle' bless! also, according to my mum: the scary tramp who waits by cash machines also stands outside lowe house church - sick. I dont know if John Paul Dawson fits into the category, but he certainly is entertaining!
• watch out for the big issue man and jonny green wellie cos if he hasnt had his medication he will be on a mission
• Jonny wellies - what happened to the cartoon strip in the Star?
• WOOLYBACKS DON'T PART WITH THEY'RE GIROS THAT EASILY HENCE THE LACK OF BUSKERS.
• Ji Ji Ji jI Jimmy, CCa, Cca Can YYY, YYYo, YYOOUUU Lend me TTTT, TTTT, TTTENN BBOB. Mythering GIT
• WELLY MAN!!!!!
• I was recently outside Yates wine lodge on the 23 Aug there was a young lady there busking with a air guitar ( no guitar at all just pretending)
• THE SCOUSE VERMIN SELLING DODGY BIG ISSUES OUTSIDE M+S.
• that bloke whos dog barks when he plays how much is that doggy in the window, class
• The piper outside woolies who gives a fantastic rendition of 'mull of kintyre'
• THAT SCOUSE GIT selling the Big - Issue outside M+S. Get some work you lazy t**t
• WELLY MAN!!!!! or john i think his name is....neither of the above but still a celeb in all cases...funny guy as well!! CJ
• AUSTIN THE WELLIE MAN, "10P FOR A CUP OF TEA" MAN, HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY IN THE WINDOW DUO, LONE PIPER
• Austin with the beard. I hear that he's minted though in which case he's eccentric
• Johnny Wellies...with his good days and bad days..we'll have to get a statue of him in the middle of church square when he's gone
• Buskers need real jobs
• that bloke with the wellies - and the really scary tall bloke who hangs round the cash machines
• BUY THE BIG ISSUE! (Oh well someone has to!)
• just give them some fuckin money, whats the problem?
• THE ONE CRITERIA FOR LIVING IN ST HELENS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO EARN UNDER 500 POUND A YEAR, THEREFORE TOWN STREETS ARE FULL OF SCAGS ASKING FOR 10P
• CITADEL. AND EVERYONE WATCHES JOHNNY WELLY AT ONE TIME FOR A LAUGH
• main street
• i myself, morgan i am a quality busker in st helens
• john hewit really needs a home, any offers?.....I thought not!!
• You cant miss the welly man. An example of the type of men in this town
• Austin-the wellie man
• I don't know if they are still about, but I used to like the bloke with the concertina and the jazz band with the dog. They used to play "how much is that doggy in the window" and the dog used to bark at the appropriate places.
• Jamie - what a guy, can't you sing a bit louder. do you want to lend my tuner?
• ? - few and far between!
• that man with his bloody dog outside marks and spencers,
• That guy who hangs around the cash machines is quite entertaining! I love his peculiar brand of `Street Theater' which usually involves waiting for people ( usually frightened women ) to draw some money out. Then quick as a flash popps out of nowhere and says `Spare the price of a cup of tea'. Once I saw him do this to a small woman who was clearly frightened out of her whits and left her card sticking out of the machine, I being a decent bloke and not a scouser took the card out of the machine and gave it to her. I dont mean to sound callous but I hope this individual dies of something lingering and unpleasant ( which judging by the look of him will be self administered and in needle form, somewhere in the locality of that crack haven that is the YMCA building ).
• The guy with the bag pipes that stand in Church Street every Saturday - near Woolies
• Beatles sound alikes who used to camp by Business Skills - excellent - where are they now? Also the bloke with the accordion and the dog with a coat on - pure magic!

The Knowhere Guide started out as a list of places to skateboard in the UK. It is a compilation of (unedited) information and views supplied by users like yourself. It is not a conventional tourist guide!

In most cases, the information in each section has been submitted by more than one contributor (the credits at the bottom of the page list some, but not all, of the contributors) and some of it dates back to the 1970s.

We make no claims as to the accuracy of the information in the Guide - our only purpose is to provide a forum for users to share their knowledge and opinions. So please keep a large bag of salt handy and be prepared to read between the lines!

If you disagree with a comment, or information is out of date, please submit an update! The contributors come from all walks of life, and their opinions are bound to be subjective, so if your view isn't represented, please speak up and contribute to the balance of the Guide. See below in the 'Have Your Say' section for how to add your voice.

If we have helped you out or made you laugh you can buy us a pint.

Have Your Say...

You can tell us more about St Helens. This is also the method to use if you want to correct some of the information already here. (But please remember you're not mailing the person who actually wrote whatever-it-is.)

You can use the add an event form to tell us about events happening in St Helens.

Or, if you'd just like to leave a message for other users of this site, take a look at The Knowhere Board (handy if you're just trying to get in touch with someone).

Credits

Last updated: 2008-05-15