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9 famous people who went to school in Birmingham

From a Hollywood star to a nobel peace prize winner, Birmingham has produced some serious world-renowned talent.

Simi Mundey
By Simi Mundey
Published 11th Jun 2022, 11:43 BST
Updated 28th Oct 2022, 14:35 BST

Birmingham boasts some seriously talented exports, from movie stars, and musicians to even a Nobel peace prize winner.

If you went to the same school as one of Brum’s celebrity alumni, then you’ll definitely have grown up hearing stories about them.

Schools across the region are deservingly proud of their famous alumni, who have gone on to achieve highly after their time in education.

We’re taking a look at the famous ex-students, and which Birmingham schools they studied at - before making it big!

Emma Willis is a television presenter and former model, and has been on our screens now for 20 years. She is best known for her work presenting the reality shows, Big Brother, The Voice UK and The Circle. Willis was born in Sutton Coldfield and attended Wylde Green Primary School, and then went on to John Willmott School. She then went on to begin her modelling career at the age of 15. Her experience and exposure through modelling and working with companies like Marie Claire, Elle, and Vogue, ultimately led her to her first big break presenting on MTV.

1. Emma Willis

Emma Willis is a television presenter and former model, and has been on our screens now for 20 years. She is best known for her work presenting the reality shows, Big Brother, The Voice UK and The Circle. Willis was born in Sutton Coldfield and attended Wylde Green Primary School, and then went on to John Willmott School. She then went on to begin her modelling career at the age of 15. Her experience and exposure through modelling and working with companies like Marie Claire, Elle, and Vogue, ultimately led her to her first big break presenting on MTV. Photo: Getty Images

Benjamin Zephaniah is an author, poet and actor, who has shown how multi-talented he actually is, through his career spanning over 40 years. Not only has he written books of poetry, novels, children’s books and plays. He has also delved into music, released albums, and pursued acting roles. Most recently he appeared in BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders, which is also set in Birmingham. Zephaniah was born and raised in Handsworth, and attended Deykin Avenue School, Witton, Birmingham.

2. Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah is an author, poet and actor, who has shown how multi-talented he actually is, through his career spanning over 40 years. Not only has he written books of poetry, novels, children’s books and plays. He has also delved into music, released albums, and pursued acting roles. Most recently he appeared in BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders, which is also set in Birmingham. Zephaniah was born and raised in Handsworth, and attended Deykin Avenue School, Witton, Birmingham. Photo: (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)

Malala Yousazai is an activist for female education, and the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Yousafzai became a prominent figure, for showing strength and resilience, after surviving a Taliban shooting in Pakistan, which left her fighting for her life. As her condition improved she was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham. After her recovery, she based herself in Birmingham and became a prominent activist for the right to education. Having adopted Birmingham as her second home, she chose to complete her secondary school education, at Edgbaston (all-girls) high school.

3. Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousazai is an activist for female education, and the youngest ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Yousafzai became a prominent figure, for showing strength and resilience, after surviving a Taliban shooting in Pakistan, which left her fighting for her life. As her condition improved she was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham. After her recovery, she based herself in Birmingham and became a prominent activist for the right to education. Having adopted Birmingham as her second home, she chose to complete her secondary school education, at Edgbaston (all-girls) high school. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

JRR Tolkien was an English writer that is best known for being the author of the fantasy books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. When Tolkien was three-years old, he went on a lengthy trip with his mother to see family in Kings Heath, Birmingham. However, during this time, his father, who was still in South Africa where they lived, suddenly died. So they moved to Birmingham to be closer to his grandparents. Tolkien then grew up in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham and attended King Edward’s School, and later St Philip’s School.

4. JRR Tolkien

JRR Tolkien was an English writer that is best known for being the author of the fantasy books, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. When Tolkien was three-years old, he went on a lengthy trip with his mother to see family in Kings Heath, Birmingham. However, during this time, his father, who was still in South Africa where they lived, suddenly died. So they moved to Birmingham to be closer to his grandparents. Tolkien then grew up in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham and attended King Edward’s School, and later St Philip’s School. Photo: Getty Images

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