There is so much to love about Birmingham - whether it’s the city’s exciting food scene, the music, entrepreneurial spirt or cool inventions.
But Birmingham is best known for its kind-hearted and talented people. It prides itself on being a City of Sanctuary making it one of the most welcoming places in the UK. Refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants are accepted and given resources to rebuild their lives through this designation.
And it’s thanks to Brummies that the world now has Cadbury chocolates, Bird’s Custard and Heavy Metal. The city is a hotbed of talent in multiple fields with many successful people born and raised in Birmingham.
Birmingham also has some amazing local heroes whose names don’t come up often enough but their bravery is unparalleled. These ordinary people have either put their lives at risk to save others or have served their communities. These inspiring people make the city a better place to live and make us fall in love with the city even more.
Here are 17 exceptional people from Birmingham who have made us love the city even more:
1. Actress Noele Gordon
Noele Gordon starred in the famous ITV drama Crossroad but had to exit show later due to differences with the producers. However, the soap opera Crossroad and her name are forever intertwined. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2. Dame Julie Walters
Dame Julie Walters grew up in Birmingham and has won many awards throughout her career. She is an acting powerhouse and continues to wow audiences. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty Images) | Getty Images
3. Elizabeth Soffe
Elizabeth Soffe, winner of the Child of Courage award at Pride of Britain in 2022, was only six months old when she alsmost died in a horrific fire. She suffered life-changing, third degree burns over 60% of her body. She also lost most of her fingers, part of her nose and an ear and was quickly flown to the specialist burns unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
4. J.R.R. Tolkein
J.R.R. Tolkein - the author of the Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit, and more - grew up in Birmingham. His books have inspired people across the world to delve into his high fantasy world and is the father of the epic fantasy genre as well. (Photo credit -ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images