Famous 21st Century British Sportspersons

Find out more about the greatest 21st Century British Sportspersons, including Jamie Vardy, Charles Salvador, David Beckham, Lewis Hamilton and Wayne Rooney
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 1 
Lewis Hamilton
(British Formula One Driver and Winner of Seven World Drivers' Championship Titles)
Lewis Hamilton
80
Birthdate: January 7, 1985
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England

The name Lewis Hamilton has become synonymous with Formula One, and such is the greatness of Hamilton. Honoured with MBE by the Queen, Lewis Hamilton is one of the most successful Formula One Grand Prix Racing Driver. Hamilton was the first Black driver to win the Championship and has 6 World Championship titles and 90 race victories to his name.

 2 
David Beckham
(English Former Professional Footballer Who was One of the Greatest Midfielders of His Generation)
David Beckham
79
Birthdate: May 2, 1975
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England
David Beckham is a former English footballer who was football superstar on-field and a heartthrob off-field. A former player for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Milan, among others, Beckham was a free-kick specialist, a brilliant crosser of the ball and the first English player to win league titles in four countries. His passion for football, charisma and fashion style have made him an international sensation.  
 3 
Wayne Rooney
(English Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Forward and Midfielder)
Wayne Rooney
53
Birthdate: October 24, 1985
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Croxteth, Liverpool, England

Regarded as one of the best football players of the current era, Wayne Rooney is the record goal-scorer for the Manchester United FC and England national team. Originally a boxer, Wayne continues to pursue boxing as a recreational activity. Wayne has been controversy's favorite child for many years now; from allegations of infidelity to legal issues, he has faced them all!

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 4 
Harry Kane
(One of the Best Football Strikers in the World)
Harry Kane
57
Birthdate: July 28, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Walthamstow, United Kingdom
A brilliant striker known for his impressive ability to score goals, Harry Kane is an English football player who leads the national team of England and also plays for Premier League club, Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Kane has been named the Premier League Player of the Month six times and received the Golden Boot twice.
 5 
Andy Murray
(One of the Best Tennis Players in the World)
Andy Murray
23
Birthdate: May 5, 1987
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland

One of the best British professional tennis players of all time, Andy Murray is popularly known as the Great Scot since he was born in Scotland. He is the only tennis player to have won two Olympic gold medals in singles competition. Also known for his charitable work, Andy Murray has played key roles in raising money for many charity organizations.

 6 
Gary Lineker
(One of the Greatest English Football Strikers)
Gary Lineker
25
Birthdate: November 30, 1960
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Leicester, England

Gary Lineker is a British former football player who currently works as a sports broadcaster. Considered one of the greatest British strikers of all time, Gary Lineker is the third-highest goal-scorer for England. During his 16-year playing career, Lineker never received a red or yellow card, due to which he was honored with the FIFA Fair Play Award in 1990.

 7 
Alan Shearer
(One of the Best Strikers of His Generation and One of the Greatest Players in Premier League History)
Alan Shearer
15
Birthdate: August 13, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Gosforth, England
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has also worked as a BBC football pundit and a football manager. The Euro 1996 Golden Boot-winner has also represented Southampton and Blackburn Rovers, winning the 1994-1995 Premier League with the latter. With 260 goals, he became the Premier League’s leading goal-scorer.
 8 
Tyson Fury
(British Professional Boxer and Two-Time World Heavyweight Champion)
Tyson Fury
14
Birthdate: August 12, 1988
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Wythenshawe, Manchester, England

A 2-time world heavyweight champion, British Tyson Fury has had an undefeated run in his 32 matches, with 31 wins and 1 unlucky draw in a match against Deontay Wilder. He has also released a bestselling memoir, Behind The Mask, and was named to the Forbes list of the World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2020.

 9 
Eddie Hall
(British Former Professional Strongman Who Won the 'World's Strongest Man' 2017 Competition)
Eddie Hall
13
Birthdate: January 15, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, England

Eddie Hall is a British former professional strongman who won the World's Strongest Man 2017 competition. Previously, he had won the UK's Strongest Man and England's Strongest Man competitions many times. As a young man, he trained as a bodybuilder and entered the strongman circuit. He is the subject of the documentary titled Eddie: Strongman.

 10 
Victoria Coren Mitchell
(Television Presenter and Poker Player)
Victoria Coren Mitchell
6
Birthdate: August 18, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hammersmith, London, England
Victoria Coren Mitchell is the first woman to win a European Poker Tour contest. She has hosted the BBC game show Only Connect and written several books, including a poker-centered memoir. The Women in Poker Hall of Fame inductee has also written columns for The Guardian and The Observer
 11 
Mo Farah
(British Long-Distance Runner and the Most Successful Male Track Distance Runner Ever)
Mo Farah
12
Birthdate: March 23, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Mogadishu, Somalia
Long-distance runner Mo Farah shot to fame with his 10,000-meter and 5,000-meter wins at the 2012 London Olympics. The first athlete to score a quadruple double, Farah has won 10 major international titles. He became the European Athlete of the Year thrice and has also received the CBE.
 12 
Chris Froome
(Kenyan-British Cyclist and Four-Time Winner of the ‘Tour de France’)
Chris Froome
9
Birthdate: May 20, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nairobi, Kenya

Chris Froome is an English professional road racing cyclist best known for winning two bronze medals in the Olympic Games so far; he won the medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. In 2017, Froome won a bronze medal at the UCI Road World Championships in Bergen, Norway. Froome has won many prestigious awards, such as the Vélo d'Or.

 13 
Jessica Ennis-Hill
(British Retired Track and Field Athlete Who Specialized in Heptathlon and 100m Hurdles)
Jessica Ennis-Hill
10
Birthdate: January 28, 1986
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

Jessica Ennis-Hill is a British retired track and field athlete. She specialized in multi-eventing disciplines and 100 meters hurdles. In 2012, she won an Olympic gold in the heptathlon. She was introduced to sports as a young girl and immediately took an interest in athletics. She has won several other titles as well in addition to her Olympic gold. 

 14 
Phil Taylor
(Darts player)
Phil Taylor
4
Birthdate: August 13, 1960
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stoke-on-Trent
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 15 
Adam Lallana
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Adam Lallana
8
Birthdate: May 10, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: St Albans, Hertfordshire, England,
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 16 
Martin Brundle
(British Retired Racing Driver Who Competed in 'Formula One')
Martin Brundle
4
Birthdate: June 1, 1959
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: King's Lynn, Norfolk, England

Martin Brundle is a British retired racing driver who competed in Formula One. After his retirement, Brundle started working as a commentator. Over the years, he has worked for television networks like BBC, ITV Sport, and Sky Sports.

 17 
Matt Le Tissier
(Former Professional Football Attacking Midfielder)
Matt Le Tissier
5
Birthdate: October 14, 1968
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Saint Peter Port, Guernsey
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 18 
Kelly Holmes
(Middle-Distance Runner Who Won Two Golds in the 2004 Olympics in Athens)
Kelly Holmes
5
Birthdate: April 19, 1970
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pembury, Kent, England

Kelly Holmes is a retired English middle-distance athlete who specialized in the 800 meters and 1,500 meters events. She won gold medals for both distances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Beginning her career with the British Army, she turned to professional athletics in 1993. She took part in her final major championship in 2004. 

 19 
Paula Radcliffe
(British Former Long-Distance Runner)
Paula Radcliffe
9
Birthdate: December 17, 1973
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Davenham, Cheshire, England

Paula Radcliffe is a retired distance runner, credited with winning the London Marathon and the New York Marathon three times each. Born into an athletic family, she emerged as a running talent by the time she was in her teens, winning the world junior cross-country title at the age of nineteen, eventually. She held the Women's World Marathon Record from 2003 to 2019.

 20 
Jenson Button
(Former Racing Driver Who Won the Formula One World Championship Title in 2009)
Jenson Button
9
Birthdate: January 19, 1980
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Frome, Somerset, England

Jenson Button is a British racing driver best known for winning the Formula One World Championship title in 2009. A popular driver, Button is the recipient of several prestigious awards such as the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy and the Hawthorn Memorial Trophy. In 2017, Jenson Button was made an inductee of the FIA Hall of Fame.

 21 
Rebecca Adlington
(British Former Competitive Swimmer)
Rebecca Adlington
8
Birthdate: February 17, 1989
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England

Rebecca Adlington made headlines with her double-gold win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, in which she aced both the 400m and 800m freestyle events. After retiring at 23, she has worked for BBC as a sports pundit and participated in shows such as I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

 22 
Stirling Moss
(One of the Greatest Race Car Drivers Who Never Won a Formula One World Championship)
Stirling Moss
5
Birthdate: September 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: West Kensington, London, England
Died: April 12, 2020

British Formula One race-car driver Stirling Moss won several contests such as the British Grand Prix and the New Zealand Grand Prix. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, too. He later had a broadcasting career with Wide World of Sports and narrated Roary the Racing Car.

 23 
Ray Wilkins
(English Football Player and Coach)
Ray Wilkins
7
Birthdate: September 14, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Hillingdon, England
Died: April 4, 2018
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 24 
Sam Quek
(English Former Field Hockey Player)
Sam Quek
6
Birthdate: October 18, 1988
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Liverpool, England
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 25 
Michael Bisping
(English Actor, Commentator and Retired Mixed Martial Artist)
Michael Bisping
19
Birthdate: February 28, 1979
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Nicosia, Cyprus
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 26 
Paige
(Youngest WWE Divas Champion)
Paige
44
Birthdate: August 17, 1992
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Norwich, Norfolk, England
Retired wrestler Saraya-Jade Bevis, better known as Paige, has won the Divas Championship twice and was also its the youngest winner. She was also the first NXT Women's Champion. Paige later appeared on shows such as Total Divas and Tough Enough, and films such as Santa's Little Helper
 27 
Marcus Rashford
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Marcus Rashford
46
Birthdate: October 31, 1997
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Manchester, United Kingdom

Marcus Rashford is a prominent football player for the Manchester United Football Club and England national team. He became the youngest British footballer to score in his debut match for England. He uses his popularity to fight against issues like child food poverty and homelessness in the United Kingdom. He is often praised for his political activism.

 28 
Jamie Vardy
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Jamie Vardy
33
Birthdate: January 11, 1987
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Sheffield, United Kingdom

Considered a late bloomer in the world of soccer, Jamie Vardy became the oldest player to win the Premier League Golden Boot award when he scored the maximum number of goals during the 2019–20 Premier League season. Apart from his goal-scoring abilities, Jamie is also known for his direct approach and relentless running.

 29 
Clare Balding
(Television presenter, Journalist, Autobiographer)
Clare Balding
7
Birthdate: January 29, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kingsclere, England
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 30 
Jesse Lingard
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Jesse Lingard
16
Birthdate: December 15, 1992
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Warrington, England
Manchester United winger and attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard has won several championships with his team, such as the UEFA Europa League, the FA Community Shield, the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup. He was also part of the English national team which finished fourth at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
 31 
Frank Lampard
(One of the Greatest Midfielders of His Generation)
Frank Lampard
16
Birthdate: June 20, 1978
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Romford, United Kingdom

The current head coach of Chelsea Football Club, Lampard spent most of his playing career with Chelsea. He is widely considered one of the greatest midfielders and greatest Chelsea players of his generation. While playing for the England national team, he represented England at three World Cups. In 2015, he was appointed an OBE for his services to football.

 32 
Amir Khan
(Former Professional Boxer: the Youngest British Boxing Olympic Medalist (2004))
Amir Khan
8
Birthdate: December 8, 1986
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bolton, England
British boxer Amir Khan is best known for his WBA, WBA (Super) and IBF Light Welterweight wins. His silver at the 2004 Olympics made him the youngest British Olympic medalist. An avid philanthropist, he owns a non-profit. He also co-owns the Super Fight League (MMA) and Super Boxing League.
 33 
Anthony Joshua
(British Boxer and Two-Time Former Unified World Heavyweight Champion)
Anthony Joshua
17
Birthdate: October 15, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Watford, Hertfordshire, England

Widely regarded as one of the best active boxers in the world, Anthony Joshua is the first British heavyweight to win both a major world title and an Olympic gold medal. Having avoided a life of crime, Joshua focused solely on boxing; his rags to riches story serves as an inspiration. He is one of the most influential Black Britons.

 34 
Helen Glover
(British Professional Rower and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Helen Glover
4
Birthdate: June 17, 1986
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Truro, Cornwall, England
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 35 
Adam Peaty
(English Competitive Swimmer Who Specialises in the Breaststroke)
Adam Peaty
0
Birthdate: December 28, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Uttoxeter Uttoxeter, England
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 36 
Kelly Smith
(Football player)
Kelly Smith
4
Birthdate: October 29, 1978
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Watford, England
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 37 
Paul di Resta
(British Racing Driver Who Competes in 'Formula One')
Paul di Resta
8
Birthdate: April 16, 1986
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland

Paul di Resta is a British racing driver who competed for Force India in Formula One from 2011 to 2013. Currently, he is one of the reserve F1 drivers for McLaren. Paul di Resta also works as a commentator for Sky Sports.

 38 
John Stones
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
John Stones
4
Birthdate: May 28, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Barnsley, United Kingdom
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 39 
Denise Lewis
(Former Track and Field Athlete Who Specialised in the Heptathlon)
Denise Lewis
1
Birthdate: August 27, 1972
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: West Bromwich, England

Denise Lewis is a British sports commentator and former athlete. She won the heptathlon gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and became the first European to win Olympic gold in the heptathlon. A two-time Commonwealth Games champion, Lewis also won silver medals in the 1997 and 1999 World Championships. She was also the 1998 European Champion. 

 40 
Steve Redgrave
(British Retired Rower Who Won Gold Medals at Five Consecutive Olympic Games)
Steve Redgrave
4
Birthdate: March 23, 1962
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Marlow, England
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 41 
Charlotte Dujardin
(British Dressage Rider and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Charlotte Dujardin
4
Birthdate: July 13, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London Borough of Enfield, United Kingdom
Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
 42 
Jack Grealish
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger or Attacking Midfielder)
Jack Grealish
18
Birthdate: September 10, 1995
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Birmingham, England

Jack Grealish is an English professional footballer. At present, he is affiliated with Premier League club Manchester City and the England national team. He plays as a  winger or attacking midfielder. He joined the Highgate United Youth Club as a boy and started playing professionally as a teenager. He is known for his ability to run and dribble past defenders. 

 43 
Steve Davis
(English Retired Professional Snooker Player)
Steve Davis
5
Birthdate: August 22, 1957
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Plumstead, London, England
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 44 
Joe Hart
(English Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Joe Hart
8
Birthdate: April 19, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Shrewsbury, England

English footballer Joe Hart, goalkeeper for the Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur, began his football career at 16 and has 100 Premier League clean sheets. He is the joint record-holder for the most Premier League Golden Glove awards. He has won two Premier League titles with Manchester City.

 45 
Michael Carrick
(English Professional Football Coach and Former Player)
Michael Carrick
5
Birthdate: July 28, 1981
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Wallsend, England
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 46 
Greg Rutherford
(British Track and Field Athlete)
Greg Rutherford
6
Birthdate: November 17, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England

The great-grandson of English footballer Jock Rutherford, Greg Rutherford had a brief stint with Aston Villa football club before he focused on athletics. The Milton Keynes athlete won a gold at the 2012 London Olympics, while his 8.29m jump at the 2016 Rio Olympics won him a bronze medal.

 47 
James Anderson
(English International Cricketer and One of the Greatest Swing Bowlers in the History of Cricket)
James Anderson
5
Birthdate: July 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Burnley, Lancashire, England
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 48 
Tom Daley
(British Diver)
Tom Daley
0
Birthdate: May 21, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Plymouth, Devon, England
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 49 
Ian Wright
(Former Professional Footballer: Now a Television and Radio Personality )
Ian Wright
14
Birthdate: November 3, 1963
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Woolwich, London, United Kingdom

Ian Wright is an English former football player. Renowned for his speed, Wright played for popular clubs like Arsenal and helped his national team qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After retiring from the sport, Wright went on to become a TV and radio personality; he currently contributes as a commentator for ITV Sport and BBC Sport.

 50 
James Maddison
(Football player)
James Maddison
4
Birthdate: November 23, 1996
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Coventry, England
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)