Here’s 18 famous people who went to school in Chesterfield and Derbyshire – including Jeremy Clarkson, Roald Dahl, Vivienne Westwood and more

Tom Hardwick
·6-min read
Jeremy Clarkson is one of the many famous faces to have gone to school in Derbyshire. (Photo: Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Jeremy Clarkson is one of the many famous faces to have gone to school in Derbyshire. (Photo: Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Through the years, the classrooms and corridors of Derbyshire’s schools have been frequented by many future celebrities.

From actors and writers to sports stars and musicians, many who started out in Derbyshire and have gone on to achieve great things.

Take a look at our gallery below and discover 18 famous people who were educated in Derbyshire – there may even be some that surprise you…

Model and television presenter Tess Daly co-presented the BBC One celebrity dancing show Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013 and has been the show's main presenter since 2014. Born March 29 1969, she grew up in Birch Vale near New Mills, and attended Hayfield Primary School and New Mills Secondary School. (Photo: Stuart C. Wilson)
Model and television presenter Tess Daly co-presented the BBC One celebrity dancing show Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013 and has been the show's main presenter since 2014. Born March 29 1969, she grew up in Birch Vale near New Mills, and attended Hayfield Primary School and New Mills Secondary School. (Photo: Stuart C. Wilson)
Rik Makarem, born January 18, 1982, went to Brookfield Community School before later graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. He is most famous for his role as Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale, playing across both dramatic and comedic storylines from 2009 to 2013. Here he is pictured promoting an Emmerdale cast bike ride to the Eastenders studios for Macmillan. (Photo: Photo: Marisa Cashill)
Rik Makarem, born January 18, 1982, went to Brookfield Community School before later graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. He is most famous for his role as Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale, playing across both dramatic and comedic storylines from 2009 to 2013. Here he is pictured promoting an Emmerdale cast bike ride to the Eastenders studios for Macmillan. (Photo: Photo: Marisa Cashill)
Born on November 1, 1963, Rick Allen attended Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began playing drums at age nine before later joining Def Leppard in 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm seven years later and continues to play with the band to this day. The band are pictured here playing at Don Valley, Sheffield in 1993. (Photo: Sheffield Newspapers)
Born on November 1, 1963, Rick Allen attended Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began playing drums at age nine before later joining Def Leppard in 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm seven years later and continues to play with the band to this day. The band are pictured here playing at Don Valley, Sheffield in 1993. (Photo: Sheffield Newspapers)
Harry Maguire, born March 5, 1993, went to St Mary's Catholic High School in Chesterfield and came through the youth system at Sheffield United before graduating to the first team. In 2019, he moved from Leicester City to Manchester United for a fee believed to be £80 million - at the time a world-record amount for a defender. (Photo: Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Harry Maguire, born March 5, 1993, went to St Mary's Catholic High School in Chesterfield and came through the youth system at Sheffield United before graduating to the first team. In 2019, he moved from Leicester City to Manchester United for a fee believed to be £80 million - at the time a world-record amount for a defender. (Photo: Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Gary Cahill is from Dronfield and had a lengthy career in the Premier League - most notably winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012. He also won 61 caps for England, representing the Three Lions at two World Cups. Born December 19, 1985, he went to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began his footballing career playing for the AFC Dronfield youth system. (Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Gary Cahill is from Dronfield and had a lengthy career in the Premier League - most notably winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012. He also won 61 caps for England, representing the Three Lions at two World Cups. Born December 19, 1985, he went to Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began his footballing career playing for the AFC Dronfield youth system. (Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Timothy Dalton, born March 21, 1946, went to Herbert Strutt Grammar School in Belper and gained international prominence as the fourth actor to play James Bond, starring in two films for the franchise. Aside from Bond, he has appeared in other films including Flash Gordon and Toy Story 3, as well as TV programmes such as Jane Eyre and Dr Who. (Photo: Mindy Small)
Timothy Dalton, born March 21, 1946, went to Herbert Strutt Grammar School in Belper and gained international prominence as the fourth actor to play James Bond, starring in two films for the franchise. Aside from Bond, he has appeared in other films including Flash Gordon and Toy Story 3, as well as TV programmes such as Jane Eyre and Dr Who. (Photo: Mindy Small)
Born February 26, 1982, Steven Blakeley went to the Bolsover School and is known for his starring role as PC Geoff Younger from Season 14-18 of Heartbeat. He's also appeared on Coronation Street and several stage adaptations of Shakespeare plays, including Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Born February 26, 1982, Steven Blakeley went to the Bolsover School and is known for his starring role as PC Geoff Younger from Season 14-18 of Heartbeat. He's also appeared on Coronation Street and several stage adaptations of Shakespeare plays, including Much Ado About Nothing and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
English professional footballer Millie Bright, who plays as a defender for Chelsea and the England national team, was born in Chesterfield on August 21, 1993. She attended Killamarsh Junior School followed by Eckington School. Bright was part of the squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, and captained the side to their first ever World Cup Final. (Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY)
English professional footballer Millie Bright, who plays as a defender for Chelsea and the England national team, was born in Chesterfield on August 21, 1993. She attended Killamarsh Junior School followed by Eckington School. Bright was part of the squad that won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, and captained the side to their first ever World Cup Final. (Photo: LINDSEY PARNABY)
Born October 30, 1941, Bob Wilson attended Chesterfield Grammar school and later enjoyed an 11 year-long career with Arsenal, being part of their 1970/71 double winning side. After retiring as a player, he turned to coaching and broadcasting and presented football programmes for 28 years. Here he is pictured here during Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea in 1973. (Photo: Getty Images)
Born October 30, 1941, Bob Wilson attended Chesterfield Grammar school and later enjoyed an 11 year-long career with Arsenal, being part of their 1970/71 double winning side. After retiring as a player, he turned to coaching and broadcasting and presented football programmes for 28 years. Here he is pictured here during Arsenal's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea in 1973. (Photo: Getty Images)
Becky Measures, born October 13, 1981, went to Lady Manners School in Bakewell and once hosted a breaksfast show on Peak FM. She is now a regular cover presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield and does lots of charity fundraising for The National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline which was set up by her mum Wendy Watson. (Photo: National World)
Becky Measures, born October 13, 1981, went to Lady Manners School in Bakewell and once hosted a breaksfast show on Peak FM. She is now a regular cover presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield and does lots of charity fundraising for The National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline which was set up by her mum Wendy Watson. (Photo: National World)
Born February 11, 1932, Dennis Skinner attended Tupton Hall Grammar School and went on to become one of the longest serving members of the House of Commons, and also the longest continuously-serving Labour MP. Known for his left-wing views, he was dubbed the 'Beast of Bolsover' and was a strong supporter of the National Union of Mineworkers. Here he is pictured at a demonstration in London in support of the miners in October 1992. (Photo: Steve Eason/Getty Images)
Born February 11, 1932, Dennis Skinner attended Tupton Hall Grammar School and went on to become one of the longest serving members of the House of Commons, and also the longest continuously-serving Labour MP. Known for his left-wing views, he was dubbed the 'Beast of Bolsover' and was a strong supporter of the National Union of Mineworkers. Here he is pictured at a demonstration in London in support of the miners in October 1992. (Photo: Steve Eason/Getty Images)
Vivienne Westwood was born in Tintwistle on April 8 1941, before being educated at Glossop Grammar School, and went on to become an icon of British fashion. In 2022, Sky Arts ranked her the 4th most influential artist in Britain of the last 50 years. Westwood sadly passed away at the age of 81 last year. (Photo: Francois Durand)
Vivienne Westwood was born in Tintwistle on April 8 1941, before being educated at Glossop Grammar School, and went on to become an icon of British fashion. In 2022, Sky Arts ranked her the 4th most influential artist in Britain of the last 50 years. Westwood sadly passed away at the age of 81 last year. (Photo: Francois Durand)
Actor Ben Miles, born September 29 1966, is best known for his starring role as Patrick Maitland in the television comedy Coupling, as Montague Dartie in The Forsyte Saga and as Peter Townsend in the Netflix drama The Crown. He was born in Wimbledon, London, and lived as a young man in Ashover, attending Tupton Hall School. (Photo: John Phillips)
Actor Ben Miles, born September 29 1966, is best known for his starring role as Patrick Maitland in the television comedy Coupling, as Montague Dartie in The Forsyte Saga and as Peter Townsend in the Netflix drama The Crown. He was born in Wimbledon, London, and lived as a young man in Ashover, attending Tupton Hall School. (Photo: John Phillips)
Paul Burrell, the former butler of Princess Diana, was born and raised in Grassmoor on June 6 1958. He attended William Rhodes Secondary School in Chesterfield before entering High Peak College in Buxton, where he studied hotel management. (Photo: Daniel Berehulak)
Paul Burrell, the former butler of Princess Diana, was born and raised in Grassmoor on June 6 1958. He attended William Rhodes Secondary School in Chesterfield before entering High Peak College in Buxton, where he studied hotel management. (Photo: Daniel Berehulak)
Actor Tom Chambers known for his role as Sam Strachan in the BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty, Max Tyler in BBC drama series Waterloo Road and Inspector Sullivan in Father Brown, also won the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing with his partner Camilla Dallerup. He was born on May 2 1977 and raised in Darley Dale - and was educated at Repton School. (Photo: Lindsey Parnaby)
Actor Tom Chambers known for his role as Sam Strachan in the BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty, Max Tyler in BBC drama series Waterloo Road and Inspector Sullivan in Father Brown, also won the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing with his partner Camilla Dallerup. He was born on May 2 1977 and raised in Darley Dale - and was educated at Repton School. (Photo: Lindsey Parnaby)
Robert Lindsay is the recipient of a British Academy Television Award, a Tony Award and two Laurence Olivier Awards. He was born in Ilkeston on December 13 1949 and went to Kensington Primary in Ilkeston and secondary modern school, Gladstone Boys', also in Ilkeston. (Photo: Stuart C. Wilson)
Robert Lindsay is the recipient of a British Academy Television Award, a Tony Award and two Laurence Olivier Awards. He was born in Ilkeston on December 13 1949 and went to Kensington Primary in Ilkeston and secondary modern school, Gladstone Boys', also in Ilkeston. (Photo: Stuart C. Wilson)
Roald Dahl, born September 13, 1916, went to Repton School and has been referred to as
Roald Dahl, born September 13, 1916, went to Repton School and has been referred to as "one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century". His books for children include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, The Twits, The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me and George's Marvellous Medicine. His adult works include Tales of the Unexpected. (Photo: (Photo by Ronald Dumont/Daily Express/Getty Images))
Jeremy Clarkson, born April 11, 1960, attended Repton School and is best known for presenting Top Gear and The Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May. He is a trained journalist and regularly writes weekly columns for The Sunday Times and The Sun. He has also hosted the revived ITV show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. (Photo: Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Jeremy Clarkson, born April 11, 1960, attended Repton School and is best known for presenting Top Gear and The Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May. He is a trained journalist and regularly writes weekly columns for The Sunday Times and The Sun. He has also hosted the revived ITV show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. (Photo: Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)