Here is our tribute to 10 well-known names linked to the town, which date all the way back to a sugar magnate, nod towards the birth of reality TV in Britain and even include some comedy legends behind cult classics.
. Joe Gilgun
Chorley actor Joe Gilgun landed a role on Coronation Street at just 10-years-old but left acting for a period and studied fashion design at Runshaw College. Returning to acting, Joe has enjoyed mainstream TV success, starring in Emmerdale, Misfits and This Is England. He's also one of the brains behind the critically acclaimed comedy series Brassic, a Sky One Original co-written by and starring Joe, based on his life growing up in Chorley and his personal struggles with bipolar. Photo: Google
. Jack Catterall
Chorley lightweight boxing ace Jack Catterall is a former British and European champion. Born in 1993, he was one of nine children in his household, and took part in judo and wrestling before switching to boxing at Chorley ABC at 10-years-old. The budding sports star won a CYP (Clubs for Young People) National title and placed second in the ABAE Junior Championships. Before becoming a full-time boxer, he studied public services at college and funded his gym sessions by working a job laying tarmac. Jack made his professional debut against Carl Allen in 2012 and as his starpower grew, he gained the British light-welterweight title in 2017 and challenged for the undisputed light-welterweight title in February 2022. Photo: Getty Images
. Sir Henry Tate
Sir Henry Tate was a sugar magnate and baronet born in White Coppice in 1819. At 13, he became a grocer's apprentice in Liverpool and set up his own shop seven years later.His business was so successful that it expanded into a chain of six stores by the time he was 35. In 1859, Tate became a partner in John Wright & Co. sugar refinery and sold his grocery business two years later. Gaining complete control of the company a decade after becoming partner, he renamed it Henry Tate & Sons, later purchasing the patent from German Eugen Langen for making sugar cubes and building two further refineries. Known for his concern with workers’ conditions, he built the Tate Institute opposite his Thames Refinery, with a bar and dance hall for his employees' enjoyment. Becoming a millionaire, he donated his collection of 65 contemporary paintings to the government for display in a new art gallery, which is today known as Tate Britain, and was opened in 1897. Pictured is the Sir Henry Tate Wetherspoons pub in Chorley, which was named after him in 2006. Photo: National World
. Olivia Broome
Chorley powerlifter Olivia Broome scored a bronze medal in the 50kg weight category at the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, earning a best lift of 107kg. Olivia began para powerlifting at the age of 15 and trains at the British Weightlifting Centre at Loughborough University, where she was a student. She is the British and world junior record holder in the under-50 kg event. The Chorley sports star has won multiple Para Powerlifting World Cup medals, as well as the junior under-50 kg event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships and silver in the women's 50 kg event. Photo: Google
1. Joe Gilgun
Chorley actor Joe Gilgun landed a role on Coronation Street at just 10-years-old but left acting for a period and studied fashion design at Runshaw College. Returning to acting, Joe has enjoyed mainstream TV success, starring in Emmerdale, Misfits and This Is England. He's also one of the brains behind the critically acclaimed comedy series Brassic, a Sky One Original co-written by and starring Joe, based on his life growing up in Chorley and his personal struggles with bipolar. Photo: Google
2. Jack Catterall
Chorley lightweight boxing ace Jack Catterall is a former British and European champion. Born in 1993, he was one of nine children in his household, and took part in judo and wrestling before switching to boxing at Chorley ABC at 10-years-old. The budding sports star won a CYP (Clubs for Young People) National title and placed second in the ABAE Junior Championships. Before becoming a full-time boxer, he studied public services at college and funded his gym sessions by working a job laying tarmac. Jack made his professional debut against Carl Allen in 2012 and as his starpower grew, he gained the British light-welterweight title in 2017 and challenged for the undisputed light-welterweight title in February 2022. Photo: Getty Images
3. Sir Henry Tate
Sir Henry Tate was a sugar magnate and baronet born in White Coppice in 1819. At 13, he became a grocer's apprentice in Liverpool and set up his own shop seven years later.His business was so successful that it expanded into a chain of six stores by the time he was 35. In 1859, Tate became a partner in John Wright & Co. sugar refinery and sold his grocery business two years later. Gaining complete control of the company a decade after becoming partner, he renamed it Henry Tate & Sons, later purchasing the patent from German Eugen Langen for making sugar cubes and building two further refineries. Known for his concern with workers’ conditions, he built the Tate Institute opposite his Thames Refinery, with a bar and dance hall for his employees' enjoyment. Becoming a millionaire, he donated his collection of 65 contemporary paintings to the government for display in a new art gallery, which is today known as Tate Britain, and was opened in 1897. Pictured is the Sir Henry Tate Wetherspoons pub in Chorley, which was named after him in 2006. Photo: National World
4. Olivia Broome
Chorley powerlifter Olivia Broome scored a bronze medal in the 50kg weight category at the delayed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, earning a best lift of 107kg. Olivia began para powerlifting at the age of 15 and trains at the British Weightlifting Centre at Loughborough University, where she was a student. She is the British and world junior record holder in the under-50 kg event. The Chorley sports star has won multiple Para Powerlifting World Cup medals, as well as the junior under-50 kg event at the 2021 World Para Powerlifting Championships and silver in the women's 50 kg event. Photo: Google