From footballers to actors, St Albans and Harpenden have been home to many stars over the years.

But here are 10 people you didn't know had links to our area.

1. Donovan - St Albans

After growing up in nearby Hatfield, Donovan moved to St Albans in the 1960s to absorb the growing folk scene in the city.

He released his debut album, What's Bin Did and What's Bin Hid, which charted at number 3 in the UK, but he truly became a star in 1966 when, thanks to help from psychedelic drugs, he topped the US Billboard charts with his single Sunshine Superman.

Herts Advertiser: Donovan's hit Sunshine Superman went to number one in the US.Donovan's hit Sunshine Superman went to number one in the US. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Donovan is credited with launching psychedelic music, and continued to record throughout the 1960s and 70s, but uninterested in fame, he slipped out of the limelight to live a quiet life.

2. Stephen Hawking - St Albans

Born in Oxford in 1942, Hawking grew up in St Albans when his family moved there after his father became head of the division of parasitology at the National Institute for Medical Research.

He would go on to become a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and one of the most brilliant and respected minds of his generation.

Herts Advertiser: Stephen Hawking.Stephen Hawking. (Image: PA Images)

Hawking was director of research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge before his death in 2018, and between 1979 and 2009, he was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge, widely viewed as one of the most prestigious academic posts in the world.

3. Michael Morpurgo - St Albans

Born in St Albans in 1943 as Michael Andrew Bridge, he would change his surname to Morpurgo and become one of the UK's most celebrated authors.

During his lengthy career, he has penned classics including War Horse, Why the Whales Came and Private Peaceful, while also holding the post of Children's Laureate from 2003 to 2005.

Herts Advertiser: Michael Morpurgo.Michael Morpurgo. (Image: Ian Martindale/Flickr)

4. Mike Newell - St Albans

Just a year before Michael Morpurgo, Mike Newell was born in St Albans, and he would go on to direct a host of successful and much-loved films.

Among them is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Donnie Brasco - starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp.

Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox every week by signing up to the Herts Ad In Brief newsletter.

He has also worked in TV, directing a number of Coronation Street episodes way back in 1966.

5. Sir Tim Rice - St Albans

A former pupil at St Albans School, Sir Tim Rice is one of the most important names in British theatre, with a seemingly endless list of award-winning work.

Herts Advertiser: Sir Tim Rice.Sir Tim Rice. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, he wrote three beloved musicals, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita.

Working in colloabaration with Disney, he wrote music for Aladdin, The Lion King, the stage adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.

A truly incredible career.

6. Stanley Kubrick - Childswickbury

One of, if not the most iconic film directors of all-time, Stanley Kubrick spent many years living at Childwickbury Manor, a manor house between St Albans and Harpenden.

His movies, including Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Full Metal Jacket are among cinema's finest creations.

Kubrick's films are considered by film historian Michel Ciment to be "among the most important contributions to world cinema in the twentieth century".

7. Laura Haddock - Harpenden

Born in Enfield, actress Laura Haddock was raised in Harpenden and attended St George's School. She left at 17 to study drama in London and that decision certainly paid off.

Herts Advertiser: Laura Haddock.Laura Haddock. (Image: PA Images)

She has since gone on to star in a host of big roles, including Lucrezia in Da Vinci's Demons, Meredith Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Alison in The Inbetweeners Movie.

8. Anthony Davidson - Hemel Hempstead

A recognisable name for fans for Formula One, Anthony's voice can often be heard on Sky Sports during race weekends, but he was actually a driver for a sport spell.

He drove a full season in 2007 for the Super Aguri team and finished in 23rd place in the Drivers' Championship, but spent most of his F1 career as a reserve driver, including for Brawn as they won the 2009 Constructors' Championship.

Herts Advertiser: Anthony Davidson at Silverstone.Anthony Davidson at Silverstone. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

The Hemel Hempstead-born driver also competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, coming second in 2013 and third in 2014, as well as winning the FIA World Endurance Championship that same year.

9. Max Whitlock - Hemel Hempstead

Born in Hemel Hempstead in 1993, Great Britain's most successful ever gymnast got his start in the town, joining the Sapphire School of Gymnastics and attending Longdean School.

Max has become a master of the pommel horse, winning bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, before following that up with golds at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

The medals don't stop there, having won golds at the World and European Champions, as well as the Commonwealth Games.

With fourteen medals, Whitlock is the most successful gymnast in British history.

10. Sir Roger Moore - Hemel Hempstead...or not?

His performances as James Bond from 1973 and 1985 made Sir Roger Moore are iconic, but did he live in Hemel Hempstead?

Herts Advertiser: Sir Roger Moore.Sir Roger Moore. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

A peruse of Google would tell you that he lived in Tile Kiln Close, Leverstock Green during the 1960s, when he was making his name as Simon Templar in The Saint.

But, in 2017, he confirmed on Twitter that he had "never lived in Hemel Hempstead". We'll just have to live and let that one go.