13 famous faces who are from Leeds and Wakefield - including Mel B, Jane McDonald and Jeremy Paxman

Leeds and Wakefield are the birthplaces for many a familiar face – from film and television stars to musicians and politicians.

By Charles Gray

Published 28th Dec 2023, 16:30 GMT

Updated 30th Dec 2023, 15:49 GMT

With their abundance of heritage, history and character and excellent range of sporting and cultural facilities, its no wonder that the West Yorkshire spots have sprouted talented folk in all kinds of fields.

Below is a selection of 15 of the most notable people to have emerged from our corner of the country.

See some of the most famous people originally from our corner of West Yorkshire, in this gallery.

1. Famous faces from Leeds and Wakefield

See some of the most famous people originally from our corner of West Yorkshire, in this gallery. Photo: National World

Jane McDonald has become most famous as a regular face no daytime TV show Loose Women but rose to fame after appearing on the BBC show The Cruise in the 1990s. She's since appeared on numerous TV shows and won a British Television Award for Cruising with Jane McDonald in 2017.

2. Jane McDonald

Jane McDonald has become most famous as a regular face no daytime TV show Loose Women but rose to fame after appearing on the BBC show The Cruise in the 1990s. She's since appeared on numerous TV shows and won a British Television Award for Cruising with Jane McDonald in 2017. Photo: NA

Vic Reeves was actually born James Roderick Moir in Leeds in 1959. He moved to Darlington when he was five. He is best known for his double act with Bob Mortimer as Vic and Bob.. Picture by Simon Hulme

3. Vic Reeves

Vic Reeves was actually born James Roderick Moir in Leeds in 1959. He moved to Darlington when he was five. He is best known for his double act with Bob Mortimer as Vic and Bob.. Picture by Simon Hulme Photo: Simon Hulme

Gabby Logan is known for her presenting roles with BBC Sport and ITV and was born in Leeds in 1973. She went to Cardinal Heenan High School before doing A-Levels at Notre Dame Sixth Form College. She was chancellor of Leeds Trinity University until 2017.

4. Gabby Logan

Gabby Logan is known for her presenting roles with BBC Sport and ITV and was born in Leeds in 1973. She went to Cardinal Heenan High School before doing A-Levels at Notre Dame Sixth Form College. She was chancellor of Leeds Trinity University until 2017. Photo: NA

Chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White was born in Leeds in 1961 and left Allerton High School in Leeds without any qualifications and decided to train as a chef. He worked at the Box Tree in Ilkley before moving to London to begin classical training with Michael Roux. He went on to train famous chefs including Gordon Ramsey and has worked on television shows such as Hell's Kitchen and Masterchef Australia.. Picture by Simon Hulme

5. Marco Pierre White

Chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White was born in Leeds in 1961 and left Allerton High School in Leeds without any qualifications and decided to train as a chef. He worked at the Box Tree in Ilkley before moving to London to begin classical training with Michael Roux. He went on to train famous chefs including Gordon Ramsey and has worked on television shows such as Hell's Kitchen and Masterchef Australia.. Picture by Simon Hulme Photo: Simon Hulme

Sir Geoffrey Boycott is one of England's most celebrated cricketers, having played for both Yorkshire and England. But before he began his career in cricket, Boycott attended Fitzwilliam Primary School in Wakefield and played for Ackworth Cricket Club in Wakefield.

6. Sir Geoffrey Boycott

Sir Geoffrey Boycott is one of England's most celebrated cricketers, having played for both Yorkshire and England. But before he began his career in cricket, Boycott attended Fitzwilliam Primary School in Wakefield and played for Ackworth Cricket Club in Wakefield. Photo: James Hardisty

Leeds Wakefield Mel B Jane McDonald Jeremy Paxman West Yorkshire