Famous British Sports Personalities

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It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a few sports have emerged as ‘religions’ of sorts over the past few years. Many sportsmen over the years have found themselves elevated to demigod status and are as popular as film stars and rock artists if not more. Footballers such as Pele and Ronaldo, as well as Formula 1 car racers like Michael Schumacher have enthralled spectators time and again by their unbelievable performances. Great Britain alone has produced many such iconic sportspersons, who are not just recognized for their talent, but their glamour quotient as well. The famous names hailing from this country are soccer stars David Beckham and Owen Hargreaves, cricketers Sir Ian Botham and Andrew Flintoff, athlete Lingford Christie as well as Formula one racer Lewis Hamilton. Beckham is considered to be the ‘poster boy’ of English Football, and frequently makes headlines for his style statements. Sir Botham and many other cricketers made the nation proud by their exceptional cricketing talent. These sportsmen are also role models for many budding sportsmen. This is a collection of biographies of some of the most famous sportspersons hailing from Britain. Learn more about their timelines, life stories, and interesting trivia & facts related to their lives.
Vote for Your Favourite British Sports Personalities
 1 
Lewis Hamilton
(British Formula One Driver and Winner of Seven World Drivers' Championship Titles)
Lewis Hamilton
76
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
78
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 
Jamie Vardy
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Jamie Vardy
32
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.

 4 
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.

 5 
Wayne Rooney
(English Professional Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Forward and Midfielder)
Wayne Rooney
50
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!

 6 
Jack Grealish
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger or Attacking Midfielder)
Jack Grealish
21
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. 

 7 
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.
 8 
James Hunt
(British Racing Driver Who Won the Formula One World Championship in 1976)
James Hunt
10
Birthdate: August 29, 1947
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Belmont, Surrey, England
Died: June 15, 1993

James Hunt was a British racing driver who earned the nickname 'Hunt the Shunt' for his action-packed and often reckless exploits on the track. In 1976, he won the Formula One World Championship in his first year with McLaren, which inspired several teenagers to take up motor racing. James Hunt has inspired racers, such as Kimi Räikkönen.

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 9 
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.

 10 
Gary Lineker
(One of the Greatest English Football Strikers)
Gary Lineker
24
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.

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 11 
Tyson Fury
(British Professional Boxer and Two-Time World Heavyweight Champion)
Tyson Fury
13
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.

 12 
Rio Ferdinand
(English Former Professional Footballer Who Played as A Centre-Back)
Rio Ferdinand
9
Birthdate: November 7, 1978
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Camberwell, England
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 13 
Andrew Flintoff
(English Television and Radio Presenter and Former International Cricketer)
Andrew Flintoff
10
Birthdate: December 6, 1977
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Preston, Lancashire, England
 14 
Paige
(Youngest WWE Divas Champion)
Paige
42
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
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 15 
Ben Stokes
(British Cricketer)
Ben Stokes
6
Birthdate: June 4, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Christchurch, New Zealand

Ben Stokes is an English cricketer. Considered one of the most important players in all three formats of the game, Stokes was honored with the ICC Award for Best Men's Cricketer in 2019. In 2019 and 2020, he was adjudged the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World. Ben Stokes is currently serving as the captain of the England Test team.

 16 
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.
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 17 
Marcus Rashford
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Forward)
Marcus Rashford
45
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.

 18 
John Terry
(British Professional Football Coach and Former Player Who Played as a Centre-Back)
John Terry
11
Birthdate: December 7, 1980
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Barking, England
 19 
Jesse Lingard
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Jesse Lingard
15
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.
 20 
Raheem Sterling
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Winger and Attacking Midfielder)
Raheem Sterling
13
Birthdate: December 8, 1994
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kingston, Jamaica

Professional footballer Raheem Sterling currently plays as a winger and attacking midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City. He also plays for the England national team. Born in Jamaica, he moved to England as a child and started playing professional football when he was a teenager. He was named the FWA Footballer of the Year in the 2018-19 season.

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 21 
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.
 22 
Harry Maguire
(British Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Centre-Back)
Harry Maguire
10
Birthdate: March 5, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sheffield, England
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 23 
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.
 24 
Trent Alexander-Arnold
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right-Back)
Trent Alexander-Arnold
8
Birthdate: October 7, 1998
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Liverpool, England
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 25 
Lando Norris
(British Race Car Driver)
Lando Norris
5
Birthdate: November 13, 1999
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bristol, England
 26 
Anthony Joshua
(British Boxer and Two-Time Former Unified World Heavyweight Champion)
Anthony Joshua
16
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.

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 27 
Declan Rice
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Defensive Midfielder)
Declan Rice
4
Birthdate: January 14, 1999
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kingston upon Thames, England
 28 
Gareth Southgate
(British Football Manager and Former Player Who Played as a Defender and Midfielder)
Gareth Southgate
11
Birthdate: September 3, 1970
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Watford, Hertfordshire, England

Gareth Southgate is an English football manager. A former player, he used to play as a defender and midfielder for Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, and Crystal Palace. He retired in 2006, after more than 500 league appearances and began his stint as a football manager. He has been managing the England national team since 2016. 

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 29 
Peter Crouch
(English Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Peter Crouch
16
Birthdate: January 30, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Macclesfield, United Kingdom

Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Peter Crouch is best known for his signature “robot” celebration after scoring goals. He also played with Aston Villa and Liverpool, helping the latter win the the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. He also helped Tottenham gain a place in the UEFA Champions League.

 30 
Jackie Stewart
(British Retired Racecar Driver Who Competed in 'Formula One')
Jackie Stewart
5
Birthdate: June 11, 1939
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Milton, Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Jackie Stewart is a British retired racecar driver who competed in Formula One. He won three World Drivers' Championships between 1965 and 1973. He is best known for playing a key role as a campaigner for better safety measures at motor racing circuits. After retiring from racing, Jackie Stewart appeared as a sports commentator for ABC network.

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 31 
Tom Daley
(British Diver)
Tom Daley
4
Birthdate: May 21, 1994
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Plymouth, Devon, England
 32 
Vinnie Jones
(British Actor, Presenter and Former Professional Footballer)
Vinnie Jones
7
Birthdate: January 5, 1965
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Watford, United Kingdom

Before being an actor, Vinnie Jones had a brilliant career as a footballer and had even led the Welsh national football team and excelled as a midfielder. He was later mostly seen playing criminals on screen. Fans adore him for his roles in X-Men: The Last Stand, Elementary, and Arrow.

 33 
James Milner
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
James Milner
7
Birthdate: January 4, 1986
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Wortley, Leeds, England
 34 
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.

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 35 
Adebayo Akinfenwa
(English Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Adebayo Akinfenwa
6
Birthdate: May 10, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Islington, London, United Kingdom

English professional footballer, Adebayo Akinfenwa, currently plays as a striker for the EFL Championship club Wycombe Wanderers. He started playing as a teenager and received praise for his abilities. However, he faced much racial discrimination as he is a man of color. He has been named Wycombe Wanderers Player of the Season twice.

 36 
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
8
Birthdate: August 15, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is an English football player. He is an important member of the England national team and the Premier League club Liverpool. In 2012, he became the second-youngest player to play for England at the UEFA European Football Championship, only behind the legendary player Wayne Rooney. He also represented his national team at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

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 37 
Chris Froome
(Kenyan-British Cyclist and Four-Time Winner of the ‘Tour de France’)
Chris Froome
8
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.

 38 
Jessica Ennis-Hill
(British Retired Track and Field Athlete Who Specialized in Heptathlon and 100m Hurdles)
Jessica Ennis-Hill
8
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. 

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 39 
Jimmy Greaves
(British Professional Footballer Who Played as a Forward)
Jimmy Greaves
6
Birthdate: February 20, 1940
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Manor Park, Essex, England
Died: September 19, 2021
 40 
James Anderson
(English International Cricketer and One of the Greatest Swing Bowlers in the History of Cricket)
James Anderson
8
Birthdate: July 30, 1982
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Burnley, Lancashire, England
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 41 
Adam Lallana
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Adam Lallana
5
Birthdate: May 10, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: St Albans, Hertfordshire, England,
 42 
Eddie Hall
(British Former Professional Strongman Who Won the 'World's Strongest Man' 2017 Competition)
Eddie Hall
12
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.

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 43 
Tammy Abraham
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Tammy Abraham
18
Birthdate: October 2, 1997
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Camberwell, England

Tammy Abraham is an English footballer. He currently plays as a striker for Serie A club Roma and the England national team. He is an academy graduate of Chelsea and made his first-team debut for the club in 2016. Since then, he has played for Bristol City and Aston Villa, scoring 25 goals in a single campaign for the team. 

 44 
Kieran Trippier
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right-Back)
Kieran Trippier
7
Birthdate: September 19, 1990
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bury, England
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 45 
Davey Boy Smith
(British Professional Wrestler Best Known for His Appearances in World Wrestling Federation )
Davey Boy Smith
16
Birthdate: November 27, 1962
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Golborne, Lancashire, England
Died: May 18, 2002
 46 
Kyle Walker
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Right-Back)
Kyle Walker
6
Birthdate: May 28, 1990
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sheffield, England
 47 
Ross Barkley
(English Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Midfielder)
Ross Barkley
6
Birthdate: December 5, 1993
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Midfielder Ross Barkley joined Everton’s youth system at 11, gradually joining its senior team and then the English national team. He now plays for Aston Villa, on loan from Chelsea. He was part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He has also played for Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.

 48 
Kevin Pietersen
(Cricket Commentator and Former England International Cricket Player)
Kevin Pietersen
16
Birthdate: June 27, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Born to a South African father and an English mother, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen still holds the record for being the fastest to make 2,000 ODI runs. Named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year, he was also nicknamed “shining” once, for his phenomenal contribution to the England team.

 49 
Michael Owen
(Former British Professional Footballer Who Played as a Striker)
Michael Owen
18
Birthdate: December 14, 1979
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chester, England
 50 
David Coulthard
(British Former Racing Driver)
David Coulthard
9
Birthdate: March 27, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Twynholm, Scotland
Former race-car driver David Coulthard, also known as DC, gained fame for his 15-season stint with Formula One. He has 13 Grand Prix wins and 62 podium finishes to his credit. Following his retirement from F1, he worked a BBC commentator and later joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series.