11 famous people who went to school in Shropshire

Below are listed 11 people, including well-known actors, broadcasters and sportspeople, who began their education at schools in Shropshire.

Sir Michael Palin

Sir Michael Palin, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, is best known as a member of the comedy group Monty Python.

The star revisited his old school, Shrewsbury School, in 2022 after leaving in 1962 to study modern history at Brasenose College, Oxford.

More recently, the actor, comedian, author and presenter has embarked on a new venture as a travel writer and documentary maker for the BBC. His travels have taken him all over the world to the North and South Poles, the Sahara, the Himalayas, Eastern Europe and Brazil.

The 81-year-old opened the Barnes Theatre at Shrewsbury School after his return two years ago.

Greg Davis

Greg’s father was born in St. Asaph, Wales and is said to have driven his mother across the border for the star’s birth to ensure he could play for the Welsh national rugby team.

The 56-year-old was unable to pursue a successful sporting career, but played WG Grace in a series of commercials for Channel Four’s coverage of the 2005 Ashes Series.

Greg grew up in Wem and has done it all – comedy, acting, presenting and writing. The 56-year-old attended Thomas Adams School in Wem.

The star is known for his impressive height of 2.03 meters and for his role as Mr. Gilbert in “The Inbetweeners”.

Charles Darwin

Darwin was born in Shrewsbury and, at the age of nine, began attending the nearby boarding school in September 1818, together with his older brother Erasmus.

Darwin’s name is recorded in the school register of Shrewsbury School and he became famous for his contributions to evolutionary biology.

Jesse Armstrong

The famous screenwriter and producer was born in Oswestry in 1970 and attended Marches School in Oswestry before studying American Studies at the University of Manchester.

The 53-year-old has received several awards, including a BAFA Award, three Golden Globe Awards and seven Primetime Emmy Awards.

Billy Wright

Considered by many to be Wolves’ greatest player of all time and one of England’s best, Billy Wright was the first footballer in the world to win 100 international caps. And it all started in Ironbridge.

Wright’s father, Thomas, was born at 33 Belmont Road in February 1924 and worked in the Coalbrookdale Company’s ironworks.

The Wolves legend attended Madeley Wood Methodist School and Madeley Modern School before becoming captain of the national team and Wolves.

The Midlands club was the only team Wright ever played for, making almost 500 appearances.

Joe Hart

Another great player from Shropshire in the world of football.

Joe Hart recently retired from professional football after an illustrious playing career with Manchester City and Celtic, beginning with Shrewsbury Town.

The goalkeeper, who was born in the county town, played 75 times for the English national team.

The 37-year-old first attended Oxon Primary School and then Meole Brace School, where he was head boy in his final year of school.

Nick Owen

BBC Midlands Today newsreader Nick Owen was recently awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List for services to charity and broadcasting.

Although Owen was born in Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, he attended Shrewsbury School between the ages of seven and 18.

Owen presented the Olympic Games on television and covered the World Cup. He also won Best Screen Personality at the Royal Television Society Midlands Awards.

Richard Todd OBE

Irish-British actor Richard Todd received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Corporal Lachlan MacLachlan in the 1949 film The Hasty Heart.

The actor died in 2009 at the age of 90. He was born in Ireland and spent part of his childhood in India before attending Shrewsbury School after his family moved to Devon.

Richard was a captain in the British Army during World War II and fought as a member of the 7th Parachute Battalion during the D-Day landings.

Maria Beard

Dame Mary Beard was born in Shrewsbury and attended Shrewsbury High School before studying at Cambridge University.

The classical philologist specializes in ancient Rome and is a trustee of the British Museum.

Mary has been called “Britain’s best-known classicist” due to her frequent media appearances and occasionally controversial public statements.

Mary presented the BBC Two show Pompeii: Life and Death in a Roman City before hosting Meet the Romans with Mary Beard in 2012, Caligula with Mary Beard in 2013 and Pompeii: New Secrets Revealed with Mary Beard in 2016.

James Taylor

Shrewsbury School has produced two outstanding English cricketers in the last 20 years, the first being James Taylor.

Taylor was born in Leicestershire and attended Shrewsbury School between 2003 and 2008, where he completed his A-levels and played for the school’s cricket team.

He then played for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and captained the England Lions before making his international debut.

Unfortunately, Taylor had to retire from all formats of cricket in April 2016 due to a serious heart condition.

Taylor was appointed coach of the England national team two years later and regularly appears as a commentator.

Issy Wong

Cricketer Issy Wong is another prodigy from Shrewsbury School who currently plays for Warwickshire, Central Sparks, Birmingham Phoenix and Mumbai Indians.

The medium-fast bowler made her England debut in June 2022 and began playing professionally for Warciwkshire in 2019 while also attending school in the county town.

Issy attended Shrewsbury School between 2015 and 2020, where she made history by becoming the first girl to play for the boys’ first team.