Here are 18 famous people who went to school in Chesterfield and Derbyshire – including Harry Maguire, Jeremy Clarkson, Millie Bright, Roald Dahl and more

These are some of the most famous people to have been educated in schools across Chesterfield and Derbyshire.

By Tom Hardwick

Published 20th Dec 2023, 12:54 GMT

Through the years, the classrooms and corridors of Derbyshire’s schools have been frequented by many future celebrities.

From actors and writers to sports stars and musicians, many who started out in Derbyshire and have gone on to achieve great things.

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Take a look at our gallery below and discover 18 famous people who were educated in Derbyshire – there may even be some that surprise you…

Harry Maguire is one of the many famous faces to have gone to school in Derbyshire.

1. Famous faces

Harry Maguire is one of the many famous faces to have gone to school in Derbyshire. Photo: Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Model and television presenter Tess Daly co-presented the BBC One celebrity dancing show Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013 and has been the show's main presenter since 2014. Born March 29 1969, she grew up in Birch Vale near New Mills, and attended Hayfield Primary School and New Mills Secondary School.

2. Tess Daly

Model and television presenter Tess Daly co-presented the BBC One celebrity dancing show Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2013 and has been the show's main presenter since 2014. Born March 29 1969, she grew up in Birch Vale near New Mills, and attended Hayfield Primary School and New Mills Secondary School. Photo: Stuart C. Wilson

Rik Makarem, born January 18, 1982, went to Brookfield Community School before later graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. He is most famous for his role as Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale, playing across both dramatic and comedic storylines from 2009 to 2013. Here he is pictured promoting an Emmerdale cast bike ride to the Eastenders studios for Macmillan.

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Rik Makarem, born January 18, 1982, went to Brookfield Community School before later graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama. He is most famous for his role as Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale, playing across both dramatic and comedic storylines from 2009 to 2013. Here he is pictured promoting an Emmerdale cast bike ride to the Eastenders studios for Macmillan. Photo: Photo: Marisa Cashill

Born on November 1, 1963, Rick Allen attended Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began playing drums at age nine before later joining Def Leppard in 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm seven years later and continues to play with the band to this day. The band are pictured here playing at Don Valley, Sheffield in 1993.

4. Rick Allen

Born on November 1, 1963, Rick Allen attended Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School and began playing drums at age nine before later joining Def Leppard in 1978. He overcame the amputation of his left arm seven years later and continues to play with the band to this day. The band are pictured here playing at Don Valley, Sheffield in 1993. Photo: Sheffield Newspapers

Derbyshire Chesterfield Harry Maguire Jeremy Clarkson Millie Bright