Famous names with a common identity...

HELEN Sharman (b 1963)
The first British astronaut, Helen Sharman was born in Sheffield and won her claim to everlasting fame after hearing a radio advertisement.
It was while she was driving home to her flat that she heard a broadcast that applicants were being sought for potential astronauts on the forthcoming Anglo-Soviet Juno space mission.
Helen was one of 13,000 applicants, a list which was eventually whittled won to 35 finalists, among them 10 women.
Eventually two were selected for an 18 month training programme at Star City near Moscow, Helen eventually being chosen to join two Soviet cosmonauts for the mission in May 1991.
In all she spent eight days in space, docking with the Mir space station and carrying our scientific experiments.
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Many of Britain's best loved entertainers past and present have come from Yorkshire. Here we meet just some of them...

LESLEY GARRETT was born in Doncaster and educated at Thorne Grammar School. Throughout her career she has brought the drama of opera to a wider audience. Over the years she has been dubbed the Doncaster Diva and the Sexy Soprano. After success at home Lesley made her debut in the USA in 1995, but has remained a firm favourite in Britain where she is known as the nation's favourite soprano. She had a successful four-part BBC-2 series in 1998 which achieved an audience of over 3 million for each show. Another series - this time a six-parter - is to be screened later this year.










ERNIE WISE, the one with the short, fat, hairy legs who formed the other half of one of the country's best loved comic acts was born in Leeds. Ernie was the perfect straight man for Eric Morecambe in what is generally regarded as the best double act in the history of British comedy.

HARRY WORTH, a famous comedian of the Sixties and Seventies was born in Barnsley and will be forever remembered for the opening scene in his TV series where he was seen creating a mirror image by liting his arm and leg against a shop window. He was also well known for his catchphrase.."my name's H-H-H-H-Harry Worth..."

CHARLIE WILLIAMS was another comedian who achieved success in the Seventies following his appearances in the TV series The Comedians. A former professional footballer with Doncaster Rovers, Charlie, who was born in Barnsley, has been credited with having influence in helping to break down racial barriers.

FRANKIE HOWERD. Perfect timing, and an unforgettable style of delivery combined to help make Frankie Howerd one of the most popular comics to walk the British stage. Born in York he is still best remembered for his role in the historical spoof series Up Pompeii in which he played the slave Lurkius.

MICHAEL PARKINSON. Barnsley born and proud of it, he has consistently been acclaimed as THE British TV chat show host.

SIR JIMMY SAVILE. An early disc jockey who formerly worked as a Bevin Boy in the mines he became a national institution and for years was a regular on BBC TV and radio. He also achieved a degree of success as a professional wrestler and the man who made dreams come true every Saturday night in his long running TV series Jim'll Fix It. Sir Jimmy, with his long blonde hair, tracksuit and huge cigars, has been a tireless worker for charity and over the years has raised millions of pounds for good causes.

ROBERT PALMER. This top rated rock star was born in Batley and at one time was the front man in a soul-rock group called Vinegar Joe with Elkie Brooks. Still best remembered for his 1986 hit Addicted to Love - and the famous video that went with it.

Written by The Editor - 31/07/2001 21:03:35

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