The 15 famous faces from Handsworth, Birmingham

We’ve taken a look at the most famous people who are from Handsworth

Published 21st Apr 2023, 17:34 BST

Updated 22nd Apr 2023, 08:26 BST

The West Midlands boasts some seriously talented exports, from movie stars and musicians to world class football players.

Recently, we’ve had a look at the famous faces - actors, musicians and even politicians - who were raised in and around Birmingham. Now, we’ve decided to take a look at the famous celebrities who grew up in Handsworth,

Many famous people grew up in the Birmingham district which is steeped in history. The inner-city area is known for its multiculturalism. People were brought over from British colonies in the Caribbean to work in local munitions factories during the Second World War, and more people arrived after the war ended to help rebuild the area. This led to Handsworth becoming a centre for the African-Caribbean community.

Handsworth has a prestigious musical legacy and has produced some notable popular musical acts.

A number of writers, sportspeople, and musicians as well as other famous faces all come from the area. With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most famous people who are from Handsworth, including those who were born in the areas, as well as those who have lived there at some point during their lifetime.

Let’s take a look:

Born and raised in Handsworth, Iommi attended Birchfield Road School. The Black Sabbath guitarist was the leader and primary composer and sole continuous member for nearly five decades. Iommi was ranked number 25 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’

1. Tommy Iommi

Born and raised in Handsworth, Iommi attended Birchfield Road School. The Black Sabbath guitarist was the leader and primary composer and sole continuous member for nearly five decades. Iommi was ranked number 25 in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time’

A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Joan Armatrading has also been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996. Born in Saint Kitts and Nevis, she grew up in Handsworth

2. Joan Armatrading

A three-time Grammy Award nominee, Joan Armatrading has also been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist. She received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996. Born in Saint Kitts and Nevis, she grew up in Handsworth Photo: x

The Handsworth-born singer songwriter was an integral member of three groups of the 1960s and 1970s: the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith. Winwood was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004

3. Steve Winwood

The Handsworth-born singer songwriter was an integral member of three groups of the 1960s and 1970s: the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic and Blind Faith. Winwood was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic in 2004

Moore is the current manager of Sheffield Wednesday and a former player. He attended school in Handsworth. He also recently managed West Brom

4. Darren Moore

Moore is the current manager of Sheffield Wednesday and a former player. He attended school in Handsworth. He also recently managed West Brom Photo: George Wood

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