7 celebrities you didn't know had links to Norfolk

1. Beverley Knight

Singer and theatre star Beverley Knight was born in Wolverhampton, but nowadays she often makes trips to Norfolk.

In an interview with the EDP in 2019, ahead of her performance at the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, she revealed her husband James went to Sprowston School and she goes there regularly to see his family in the Dereham and Swaffham areas. 

Amanda Holden previously lived in Norfolk (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA)

2. Amanda Holden 

Actress and Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden was first introduced to Norfolk by ex-husband Les Dennis and she previously said that Holkham beach is her favourite in the world.

Although she no longer has a cottage in Norfolk, she still comes up between her hectic filming schedule for holidays with her family. 

Sex Pistols and PIL frontman John Lydon Picture: Paul Heartfield (Image: Paul Heartfield)

3. John Lydon 

Sex Pistols and Public Image Ltd frontman John Lydon has Norfolk links from the late 60s.

He told the EDP in 2018: "I like Norwich. I used to go there as a child. My dad was on the oil rigs off Bacton-on-Sea and I went there for winter, I must have been 11 or 12.

"I remember Norwich Cathedral used to stand out as there was nothing at all anywhere near it but I bet it's not like that now is it?

'I've got very fond memories of Norwich and I'd say that Norwich City is my second favourite football team."

Tim Sheppard tapes up Gary Lineker's leg, who had come to Carrow Road for John O'Neill's testimonial Image: Courtesy of Tim Sheppard (Image: Tim Sheppard)

4. Gary Lineker

The Match of the Day presenter is best known for scoring goals for the likes of Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and England, but he once scored a hat-trick in a Norwich City shirt.

Lineker was one of several players drafted in for the testimonial of Northern Irish defender John O'Neill, who took on a Norwich City eleven at Carrow Road.

That isn't where his Norwich connection ends - Lineker's mum, Margaret, was a Norwich City fan.

Jessie Buckley bought a 17th-century house in Norfolk last year Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

5. Jessie Buckley 

Star of stage and screen Jessie Buckley revealed in 2021 that she lives in a 17th-century house in Norfolk.

She shot to fame after taking part in the BBC talent show I'd Do Anything to find an actress to play Nancy in Oliver! on the West End.

After finishing in second place her career rise has been stratospheric, with film credits including Women Talking, Wild Rose and The Lost Daughter and she also wowed as Sally Bowles in the West End revival of Cabaret.

Matt Smith when to university at UEA Picture: PA (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

6. Matt Smith 

Matt Smith is now recognisable all over the world for roles including the 11th Doctor Who and Prince Phillip in Netflix's The Crown, but he previously lived in Norwich.

He studied drama and creative writing at the University of East Anglia and afterwards began acting in plays in London theatres. 

7. Rebekah Vardy

TV personality Rebekah Vardy is married to Leicester City footballer Jamie Vardy and was recently embroiled in a bitter defamation battle with Coleen Rooney, nicknamed the 'Wagatha Christie' trial.

Mrs Vardy recently came to Norwich for a new filming project and stayed at The Assembly House and dined at The Ivy.

She has revealed in previous interviews that she was born in Norwich and spent her childhood moving from city to city, which also included Reading and Oxford.