Tag: Born

Michael Berry, born on 26 September 1938 in Blackpool, was better known by his stage name, Lennie Bennett. An English comedian and game-show host, he became a familiar face on British television throughout the 1970s and 1980s. After attending Palatine Secondary School in Blackpool, Bennett began his career as a journalist for the West Lancashire Evening Gazette. He later transitioned into entertainment, initially working as a professional hypnotist before making his television debut on the BBC light entertainment programme The Good Old Days in 1969. His breakthrough came when he partnered with Jerry Stevens to create The Lennie and Jerry… Read more »

Anna Jobarteh was born on 3 April 1996 in Blackpool and is best known for her work in television, including Paradox (2009), In From the Cold (2022), and Coronation Street (1960). She made her on-screen debut at the age of 13 in BBC One’s Waterloo Road, portraying Ruth Kirby, a gifted but headstrong student in the school-based drama. A former pupil from Marton, Anna was thrilled to step onto the Waterloo Road set, where she swapped her Highfield school uniform for that of her on-screen counterpart. Her character made an immediate impact, running away on her first day and prompting… Read more »

Chris Wiggins was born on 13 January 1931 in Blackpool. Before pursuing a career in acting, he initially worked as a banker in the UK. However, after emigrating to Canada in 1952, he transitioned into the entertainment industry and built a successful career in television, film, and radio. He is perhaps best remembered for his role as Jack Marshak, the knowledgeable and kind-hearted expert on the occult, in the syndicated horror series Friday the 13th: The Series, which aired from 1987 to 1990. Another notable role was that of Johann Robinson (the father) in Swiss Family Robinson, appearing in all… Read more »

Keith Marsh (1926 – 28 January 2013) was an English actor whose career spanned over five decades, during which he featured in numerous television productions. Originally from Blackpool, he is most widely recognised for his role as Jacko in the Thames Television sitcom Love Thy Neighbour (1972–76), where he became known for his signature catchphrase, “I’ll have half!” Marsh made several appearances in Coronation Street, playing a variety of roles over the years, including a foreman (1961), George Chippendale (1966), James Dawson (1972), George Marsden (1980), Harry Ashton (1988), and Uncle Mervin (1999). His television credits also included roles in… Read more »

Barlow was born on 18 January 1936 in Blackpool. His father, a solicitor, passed away when he was five, leaving him to be brought up by his mother. After completing his education at 18, he enlisted in the British Army, where he served for 15 years. In 1969, Barlow decided to leave the military and embark on a career in acting, encouraged by Trevor Nunn and Sir Laurence Olivier. He developed and performed a solo show reflecting on his choice to pursue acting. Prior to this, he had achieved considerable success with another one-man production, My Army, which recounted his… Read more »

Caroline O’Neill, born on 13 December 1961 in Blackpool, is a British actress with an extensive career spanning television, film, and theatre. Best known for her roles in Endeavour (2012), Queer as Folk (1999), and Robin Hood (2006), she also made a lasting impression on soap audiences as Andrea Clayton in Coronation Street. Her career in television has been remarkably diverse, with appearances in over 80 different series. She has featured in Poirot, Doctors, All Creatures Great and Small, Casualty, Doc Martin, Happy Valley, Whitechapel, Holby City, The Inbetweeners, The Bill, Heartbeat, Fat Friends, EastEnders, Peak Practice, Birds of a… Read more »

Joe-Warren Plant, born on 12 April 2002 in Blackpool, is a British actor best known for his role as Jacob Gallagher in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He has played Jacob since 2010, beginning his time on the show at the age of eight. His portrayal has earned him three nominations for Best Young Performance at the British Soap Awards in 2014, 2019, and 2021. Raised in Poulton-le-Fylde with his parents, Steph and Warren Plant, he developed an early interest in acting and was enrolled at Scream Theatre School in Blackpool from the age of four. He later attended Baines… Read more »