Famous Basingstoke

Liz Hurley (model and actress) was born in Basingstoke, the daughter of Angela and Roy Hurley. Her Irish father was a major in the British Army, while her Anglican mother was a teacher at Kempshott Infant School. Liz was educated at the Kempshott Infant School, Kempshott Junior School, and the Harriet Costello School. Aspiring to be a dancer as a young girl, she took ballet classes and later briefly studied dance and theater at the London Studio Centre.

Carl Barât (musician) was born in Basingstoke on June 6, 1978, spending most of his childhood in Whitchurch. He is currently the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things and was previously the co-frontman with Pete Doherty of the indie rock band The Libertines.

Lucy Coats (author) was born in Basingstoke. She grew up in the small country village of Dummer, and was sent to a boarding school in Kent. In 1979 she went to Edinburgh University where she graduated with an MA in English Literature and Ancient History. She worked as a children's book editor in London and New York, before becoming a full-time children's author.

Waldemar Januszczak (art critic and film maker) was born in Basingstoke, to Polish refugees who had arrived in Britain after World War II. His father, a policeman in Poland, whose job had included exposing Communists, found work as a railway carriage cleaner and died, aged 57, when a train ran over him at Basingstoke station. His widow, then aged 33, found work as a dairymaid.

Thomas Warton (historian and critic) was born in Basingstoke, the son of poet. As a youngster, Warton demonstrated a strong predilection toward writing poetry, a skill he would continue to develop all of his life. In fact, Warton translated one of Martial's epigrams at nine, and wrote The Pleasures of Melancholy at seventeen.

Pete Staples (Basingstoke electrician) is none other than the bass player of the 1960's supergroup 'The Troggs', most famous for their hit 'Wild Thing', and more recently 'Love is all Around' featured in the film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', and also covered by R.E.M.

Emily Jordan (actress) from Basingstoke. Shakespearean credits include Margaret in Henry VI, parts 1,2, & 3, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Maria in Twelfth Night and Richard III in the Woman's Will 2005 all-female production of Richard III. Other professional stage credits include Blithe Spirit (Elvira), The Beard of Avon (Anne Hathaway/Queen Elizabeth I), The Miser (Elise), and originating the role of 'The Kidd' in Kate Bornstein's Strangers in Paradox at San Francisco's Theatre Rhinoceros. Collaborations with several new play development organizations including the Playwrights Foundation and New Writers New Works at the Magic Theatre. As a voice-over actress she has provided voices for various radio commercials, websites and computer game characters.

Sarah Sutton (actress) born 12 December 1961 in Basingstoke. Sarah is best known for her role as Nyssa in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. Nyssa was a companion of Tom Baker and Peter Davison's Doctors from 1981 to 1983. She was the youngest female actor to play a companion in the series

James Bailes aka "Spreader" is an English bass guitarist, and producer. He was born in Basingstoke, but was raised in Cornwall. He spent his early years playing with local musicians then took the plunge to move to London. Upon moving to London in the 90's he entered the pastures of the session world, where he has been noted for playing with artists including Busted, Melanie C and Appleton, as well as many notable tv appearances. He also co-wrote and co-produced The Mau-Maus debut album.Has also worked with the renowned DJ Adam F. He is also co-managing top west country band The Fires who recently signed to Squareball Records.

Alex Thomson (Presenter and chief correspondent for Channel 4 News) attended Cranborne school and Queen Mary's College, where he appeared on stage wearing a gorilla suit.

Oliver Lancashire (born 13 December 1988) is an English footballer who plays for Southampton. Oliver made his first-team debut against Queens Park Rangers on 14 September 2008, but was sent off after 29 minutes, for a mistimed tackle on Damien Delaney.

John Arlott (Cricket commentator) was born in Basingstoke and attended Queen Mary's Grammar School. Between 1930 and 1934 he was a medical records clerk in a mental hospital. Then, between 1934 and 1946, he served as a policeman.

Mitchell Stokes born 27 March 1987 in Basingstoke is a cricketer playing for Hampshire County Cricket Club. He has represented the club at a number of levels as well as playing for England under-19s. He is primarily a right-handed batsmen who also bowls occasional right-arm off-spin. He has represented Hampshire in the Twenty20 cup competition and scored his first half-century in a fine innings at the Rose Bowl on 29 June 2006. On 20 August 2006 he made his List A debut for Hampshire in a tour match against West Indies "A". He smashed 36 runs off just 18 balls and bowled 4 overs in Hampshire's 62-run win. Youngest man to score a 50 in the Twenty20 cup.

Tom Croft born 7 November 1985 in Basingstoke, is a rugby union player. His position of choice is as a Flanker but he can also operate as a Lock. He is known for his speed and, unusually for a forward, he is one of the quickest players.

Jane Austen and Fanny Trollope the authoresses, lived in the nearby villages of Steventon and Heckfield respectively and regularly attended the dances held at the Assembly Rooms in Basingstoke.

Tanita Tikaram (song-writer/singer) grew up in Basingstoke. Best known for the enigmatic hits "Twist in My Sobriety" and "Good Tradition" from her 1988 debut album, Ancient Heart (see 1988 in music). Successive releases failed to meet with similar commercial success although she has continued to release recordings as recently as 2005. Her style is based on her husky voice, acoustic guitar and quirky, poetic lyrics.

Ramon Tikaram (actor) lived for many years in Basingstoke. Ramon is the son of Fijian-Indian British Army soldier Pramod Tikaram and Sarawakian mother Fatimah Rohani and brother to singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram.

Christine Williams born 7 January 1945 in Basingstoke. Christine is an English-American model, actress and artist who was Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its October 1963 issue.

Thomas Burberry inventor of Gabardine and maker of the coats so beloved by Americans and Japanese lived in Basingstoke and had his original raincoat factory and shop in Winchester Road. Unfortunately the shop was burnt down in 'The Great Fire of Basingstoke' in 1905. He is buried in the town's chapel Hill cemetary.

Lawrence West is the world record holder for boomerang catching, with 20 throws and catches in one minute.

Mr Clappy (as known by locals) has been jogging and walking the streets of Basingstoke for many years in all weathers. He wears his signature trainers, baggy joggers, tucked in sweat shirt, baseball cap and industrial gloves; shouts and claps at passing traffic.