You might even have celebrity claims to brag about, but are there any famous faces you didn’t realize were connected to the area in one way or another?
We’ve rounded up some of County Durham’s most notable personalities including Rowan Atkinson, Matt Baker, Jeff Stelling and more.
Celebrities are said to have local connections to County Durham
Mark Gatiss
Originally from Sedgefield, County Durham, Mark Gatiss is no stranger to television.
He is known as an actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer among many other talented roles.
His work spans some major productions including The League of Gentleman, Sherlock, Doctor Who, Dracula and Game of Thrones.
Rowan Atkinson
Consett-born legendary Rowan Atkinson is best known for his character Mr Bean, who has entertained children and adults alike with his quirky humor and silly antics for years.
Rowan also had great success in the historical comedy Blackadder, in which he played the character of Edmund Blackadder, the series’ protagonist.
He also starred in many comedy skits for Comic Relief and during the London 2012 Olympics.
What’s your favorite funny Mr. Bean moment? (Image: James Mason/PA)
Jeff Stelling
Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling hails from Hartlepool in the county.
He presented Gillette Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports from 1994 until earlier this year.
The 68-year-old has also been a presenter of Champions League coverage and even hosted Countdown on Channel 4.
Stephen Tompkinson
Stephen Tompkinson is best known for his recent roles as Alan Banks on DCI Banks and Danny Trevanion on Wild at Heart.
Early in his career, he appeared in “Chancer” and “Drop the Dead Donkey,” among others.
In the world of film, Stephen has starred in Brased Off and Hotel Splendide.
Scarlett Moffatt
The Bishop Auckland Gogglebox star became a fan favorite on the hit Channel 4 show when she performed with her family.
She has since been a contestant on I’m A Celeb hosted by Ant and Dec, where she was crowned Queen of the Jungle in 2016.
She has since presented a number of shows on ITV including Saturday Night Takeaway and the National Television Awards.
Scarlett recently gave birth to her first child, named Jude Xavier, with her partner Scott Dobinson.
Matt Baker
Many know Matt Baker from his time as a presenter at Blue Peter from 1999 to 2006.
The 45-year-old from Easington co-hosted the `’s The One Show with Alex Jones from 2011 to 2020.
He has been a regular face at Countryfile since 2009.
Sarah Davies
Coundon’s Dragon’s Den favorite Sara Davies is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and television personality.
She took part in the ` Two business program in 2019 and was the youngest investor ever.
In September 2021, she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and partnered with professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, but dropped out in week eight.
Ben Stokes
Although born in New Zealand, English cricketer Ben Stokes has a personal connection to County Durham.
At the age of 12 he moved to England and represented Durham in domestic cricket.
He made his championship debut for North East City early in the 2010 county cricket season, playing in a match against Essex.
The 32-year-old was named Man of the Match in the 2014 Royal London One-Day Cup Final at Lord’s and has since gone on to become one of England’s most celebrated sports stars.
Alun Armstrong
Raised in the village of Annfield Plain, Alun Armstrong is another popular actor that many have seen on television over the years.
He has had a keen interest in the theatrical side of acting, having acted in Shakespearean productions at his high school at a young age.
This made him a stage actor and he spent nine years with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
His television credits include several adaptations of Charles Dickens and the role of ex-detective Brian Lane in ` One’s New Tricks.
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