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 were born in Smethwick.
Many famous people were also born and grew up in the area which has plenty of history. For example, the world’s oldest working engine, the Smethwick Engine, was made by Boulton & Watt, and originally stood near Bridge Street in the town. It is now at Thinktank, the new science museum in Birmingham.
Actors, sportspeople and legendary musicians all come from the Sandwell town. With this in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most famous people who were born and bred in Smethwick.
5. Bobby Thomson
Thomson made 478 appearances in the English Football League and won eight caps for England. Something of a legend at his first club – Wolverhampton Wanderers, he is considered to be one of the finest full-backs ever to have played for the team. He also played for Birmingham City | Getty Images
6. Sydney Barnes
Sydney Barnes was an English professional cricketer who is regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. Born in Smethwick in 1873, he was the second son of five children | Getty
7. Ann George
Ann George was an English actress best known for her role as Amy Turtle in the television soap opera Crossroads. | Crossroads Motel Twitter video
8. Patrick Cowdell
Cowdell was born in Smethwick. He is a retired boxer and challenged twice for the WBC world featherweight title in 1981 and 1985. He won the gold medal, at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch | (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)