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10 famous faces that went to school in Newcastle

Simi Mundey
By Simi Mundey

Digital Content Curator

Published 26th Jul 2022, 16:53 BST
Updated 26th Jul 2022, 17:11 BST

From a Hollywood star to a football legend, Newcastle has produced many globally recognised professionals.

The city boasts of having talented exports, from movie stars and musicians to everyone’s favourite Geordie duo.

If you went to the same school as one of Newcastle’s celebrity alumni, then you’ll definitely have grown up hearing stories about them.

Schools across the region are deservingly proud of their famous alumni, who have gone on to high achievements after their time in education.

We’re taking a look at the famous ex-students, and which Newcastle schools they studied at - before making it big!

Vick Hope is a British TV and radio presenter, journalist and published author. She is known for hosting the Capital Breakfast show on Capital FM radio, between 2017 and 2020. As well as this, she has had multiple presenting jobs, working on Crufts for Channel 4, FYI Daily on ITV2, a backstage presenter for The X Factor, and the red carpet host for the BAFTAs 2020. As well as presenting, Hope has worked as a print and broadcast journalist for ITN and various publications including Marie Claire. Hope was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, and attended Newcastle’s Dame Allan’s School, between 2000 and 2007. After this she taught herself Spanish and took extra A-level subjects through night classes in Newcastle. All so that she could earn herself a place at Cambridge University to study modern languages.

1. Vick Hope

Vick Hope is a British TV and radio presenter, journalist and published author. She is known for hosting the Capital Breakfast show on Capital FM radio, between 2017 and 2020. As well as this, she has had multiple presenting jobs, working on Crufts for Channel 4, FYI Daily on ITV2, a backstage presenter for The X Factor, and the red carpet host for the BAFTAs 2020. As well as presenting, Hope has worked as a print and broadcast journalist for ITN and various publications including Marie Claire. Hope was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, and attended Newcastle’s Dame Allan’s School, between 2000 and 2007. After this she taught herself Spanish and took extra A-level subjects through night classes in Newcastle. All so that she could earn herself a place at Cambridge University to study modern languages. | Getty Images Photo: Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Universal Pictures

Charlie Hunnam is an actor and screenwriter, who is best known for his role as Jackson “Jax” Teller on the FX series, Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014). Hunnam has appeared in multiple big-budget hollywood movies, including Pacific Rim (2013), Crimson Peak (2015), and the title role in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017). Most recently he performed in The Gentlemen (2019), in which he appeared alongside a star-studded cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant. The Sons of Anarchy actor, was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and attended Heaton Manor School, until his family moved to Cumbria. The school has now been renamed as Jesmond Park Academy. It almost seems as a rite of passage for young aspiring actors and TV personalities from Newcastle, to pass through the doors of 90s hit show, Byker Grove. Just like Ant & Dec, Hunhan also got his first big-break in the Newcastle based, teen-drama during the 1990s.

2. Charlie Hunnam

Charlie Hunnam is an actor and screenwriter, who is best known for his role as Jackson “Jax” Teller on the FX series, Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014). Hunnam has appeared in multiple big-budget hollywood movies, including Pacific Rim (2013), Crimson Peak (2015), and the title role in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017). Most recently he performed in The Gentlemen (2019), in which he appeared alongside a star-studded cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant. The Sons of Anarchy actor, was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and attended Heaton Manor School, until his family moved to Cumbria. The school has now been renamed as Jesmond Park Academy. It almost seems as a rite of passage for young aspiring actors and TV personalities from Newcastle, to pass through the doors of 90s hit show, Byker Grove. Just like Ant & Dec, Hunhan also got his first big-break in the Newcastle based, teen-drama during the 1990s. | Getty Images Photo: Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images

Cheryl is a singer and television personality, who first rose to fame in late 2002, when she won a place in Girls Aloud, a girl group created through ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals. While still in the group, she began a solo career in April 2009, and between then and 2014, she released four studio albums. Some of her popular songs include Fight for this Love (2009), Call My Name (2012) and Crazy Stupid Love (2014). In 2008, Cheryl became a judge on The X Factor and after mentoring two of the eventual winners of the series, she resigned. She later returned to being a TV judge when she joined The Greatest Dancer from 2019 to 2020. Cheryl was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, and grew up in council estates in the Walker and Heaton areas. She attended Walker Technology College, which has since converted to academy status, and been renamed Walker Riverside Academy.

3. Cheryl

Cheryl is a singer and television personality, who first rose to fame in late 2002, when she won a place in Girls Aloud, a girl group created through ITV’s Popstars: The Rivals. While still in the group, she began a solo career in April 2009, and between then and 2014, she released four studio albums. Some of her popular songs include Fight for this Love (2009), Call My Name (2012) and Crazy Stupid Love (2014). In 2008, Cheryl became a judge on The X Factor and after mentoring two of the eventual winners of the series, she resigned. She later returned to being a TV judge when she joined The Greatest Dancer from 2019 to 2020. Cheryl was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, and grew up in council estates in the Walker and Heaton areas. She attended Walker Technology College, which has since converted to academy status, and been renamed Walker Riverside Academy. | Getty Images Photo: Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Ant and Dec are a popular presenting duo, consisting of Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. These amusing Geordies have been on our screens since the early 1990s when they both appeared on CBBC drama Byker Grove. This partnership continued when they ventured into music, as PJ & Duncan, and released the extremely popular hit song “Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.” More recently, they have been presenting I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent. Prior to this success, they were both based in Newcastle and grew up just down the road from each other. Ant attended Wingrove Primary School and then went on to Rutherford Comprehensive school. Dec went to St Michael’s R C Primary School and continued on to St Cuthbert’s High School. They both left school with five GCSEs each, strangely they both achieved three B’s and two Cs.

4. Ant & Dec

Ant and Dec are a popular presenting duo, consisting of Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly. These amusing Geordies have been on our screens since the early 1990s when they both appeared on CBBC drama Byker Grove. This partnership continued when they ventured into music, as PJ & Duncan, and released the extremely popular hit song “Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble.” More recently, they have been presenting I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent. Prior to this success, they were both based in Newcastle and grew up just down the road from each other. Ant attended Wingrove Primary School and then went on to Rutherford Comprehensive school. Dec went to St Michael’s R C Primary School and continued on to St Cuthbert’s High School. They both left school with five GCSEs each, strangely they both achieved three B’s and two Cs. | Getty Images Photo: Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

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