As with larger cities Leeds boasts a great many famous sons and daughters, some you will certainly have heard of and others who you may not as they were special in a field you may not know.
So who are the ten most famous people from Leeds?
Well the list may bring a few surprises and there may be some debate but common polls show that the below are the ten most famous people from Leeds (in no particular order).
Peter O’Toole
The famous actor most notable for his role in Lawrence of Arabia and who has a film and acting career spanning over fifty years. For those of the younger generation you may remember him as King Priam in the film Troy with Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom.
Jeremy Paxman
Journalist, Author and television presenter Jeremy Paxman has done it all. Jeremy has worked for the BBC since 1977 and has fronted many famous BBC shows such as Newsnight and University Challenge.
Chris Moyles
You either love him or hate him but Chris Moyles is famous for “Saving” Radio One as he likes to say. Chris Moyles is a cheeky chappy who keeps the country moving with his wit and wry sense of humour. Chris Moyles has also branched out in recent years into the world of television.
Ernie Wise
None other than one half of the most famous comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, Ernest Wise OBE and his partner Morecambe are well known for having made the people of the UK laugh for many decades.
Having started in radio Wise with his partner soon found fame after moving to television.
Micah Richards
Micah Richards may play for Manchester city in the heart of their defense but he is a real Leeds lad having been born and bought up in Leeds. Today Micah Richards is a famous footballer who plays for England having been the youngest defender ever to be called up to the England squad and is still only twenty one years of age.
Mike Tindall
Mike Tindall MBE is a rugby union player who currently plays for Gloucester and England. Tindall is seen as one of the finest centres in rugby union and has won 58 caps for England.
Mike Tindall is also the boyfriend of Zara Phillips, the eldest granddaughter of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
John Craven
John Craven OBE is a much loved television presenter who is retired now but was a driving force on children’s television in the 1980’s. Johns most notable television presenting includes children’s Newsround as a news presenter.
Melanie Brown
Better known as Mel B, Melanie Brown made up part of the most famous girl band of all time Mel B. During her time with the Spice Girls Mel B was given the nickname “Scary Spice”.
After the Spice Girls split up Mel B tried a solo career that never really took off and has since had a relationship with comedy actor Eddie Murphy bearing his child.
John Smeaton
John Smeaton is a famous engineer who designed many famous bridges, canals, lighthouses and other waterways engineering feats. For his work in advancing civil engineering John Smeaton has been given the title of “Father of civil engineering”.
Alfred Austin
Alfred Austin is a famous poet from the humble beginnings of the nineteenth century streets of Leeds. After huge success Alfred Austin was appointed the most prestigious award for a poet, the Poet Laureate.