Southport is a beautiful coastal towno, boasting England’s oldest iron pier, gorgeous sandy beaches and its very own lawnmower museum, But, did you know it is also the birthplace of many iconic household names?
Originally part of Lancashire, Southport is now part of Merseyside and there are many famous faces with links to the beautiful seaside town, from Premier League footballers and top comedians to award-winning actors and celebrated golf stars.
Here we take a look at 16 Sandgrounders who have gone on to achieve their dreams and make Southport proud.
9. Jean Alexander
Actress Jean Alexander was best known for the long-running character Hilda Ogden in Coronation Street, a role she played from 1964 until 1987. She also played Auntie Wainwright in Last of the Summer Wine. She spent most of her life in Southport, where she died at the age of 90 in October 2016. | John Madden/Keystone/Getty Images
10. Fran Halsall
Swimmer Fran Halsall has represented Great Britain at the Olympics, FINA world championships, and European championships, and England at the Commonwealth Games. She competed primarily in freestyle and butterfly events and won a series of gold and silver medals. | Warren Little/Getty Images
11. Ginger McCain
Race horse trainer Ginger McCain led the champion steeplechaser Red Rum to three Grand National victories in the 1970s and won a fourth with Amberleigh House in 2004. He started out in a small stables behind the showroom of his used-car store in his hometown of Southport. | Getty Images
12. Ryan Prescott
Ryan Prescott is a British actor from Southport known for Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Doctors. | Jeff Spicer / Stringer