Essex University, attended by John Bercow and Blake Harrison

Many famous people have studied in Essex over the years – and many schools and colleges can boast that big names once sat in their classrooms. One university in the county can boast both a famous politician and a legendary sitcom star.

Founded in 1965, the University of Essex has produced many famous people over the years. Its distinguished alumni include John Bercow, the outspoken former Speaker of the House of Commons, and Blake Harrison, the actor known for his role in the hit sitcom The Inbetweeners.

John Bercow was previously Speaker of the House of Commons and has been the Conservative MP for Buckingham since 1997. Before becoming Speaker, he was a member of the Shadow Cabinet and is a member of the International Development Select Committee. In 2017, he was appointed the new Chancellor of the University of Essex.

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Mr Bercow said: “The three years I spent at the University of Essex were extremely stimulating and enjoyable. The lecturers in the Department of Government were an excellent team and I have very fond memories of the time I spent with them and the time I spent with them.”

“Perhaps not surprisingly, I was very active in student politics at university and I remember taking part in countless trade union debates. I was lucky to be at university.”

Blake Harrison is another notable graduate of Essex University who went on to become one of the stars of The Inbetweeners in the role of Neil, the highest-grossing live-action comedy in British cinema history.

He studied for a BA in Drama at East 15 (which awards degrees from the University of Essex) and landed his role in the TV series The Inbetweeners just months after graduating in 2007. He says: “I was very happy at East 15. I found it so stimulating to find out how to play different characters.”

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel, who also attended the University of Essex. The Tory MP attended a comprehensive school in Watford before studying economics at Keele University. She then completed a postgraduate degree in British government and politics at the University of Essex.

Although they did not study at the university, some big names have received honorary degrees from the University of Essex. These include David Yates, a BAFTA award-winning television and film director.

Mr Yates, who received an honorary degree from the university in 2012, directed the final four instalments of the Harry Potter film series, The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince and The Deathly Hallows Parts I and II. He has also worked extensively in British television, mainly for the BBC, directing high-profile drama projects such as State of Play, The Way We Live Now and The Girl in the Café.

Likewise, celebrated for her work on stage, film and television, Alison Steadman received an honorary doctorate for her contribution to the performing arts in 2003. She is perhaps best known to many for her role as Pam in Gavin and Stacey, and has also appeared in Abigail’s Party and Pride and Prejudice.

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