It is highly doubtful that anybody has based their decision to move to an unfamiliar part of the UK on the number of famous people who were either born or lived in that particular area.
Nevertheless, it is always interesting to do a little bit of research into which celebrities once graced your new hometown. Believe it or not, Kent is something of a conveyor belt for talented individuals and you will be surprised at just how many people who were born and raised in the Garden of England have gone on to great things.
Honourable mentions go to The Office and Game of Thrones actor Mackenzie Crook, esteemed writer Ian Fleming, singer Joss Stone and actress Naomi Watts, who all have ties to the county.
Here’s a list of other recognisable faces who once called Kent their home.
1) Keith Richards and Mick Jagger
Amazingly, arguably one of the greatest rock bands ever to walk the earth – The Rolling Stones – can trace their roots back to the peaceful county of Kent.
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger both hail from Dartford and the pair bumped into each other on a train in 1960 – the rest, as they say, is history. The Rolling Stones became well known for their wild parties and raucous live shows in the 1960s and 70s in particular and, against all odds, the band are still going strong today.
2) Kelly Brook
Perhaps one of the most popular models/actresses/TV presenters the UK has produced in years, Kelly Brook – aged 33 – has had a an eventful career to date.
The stunning brunette hails from Rochester, which is one of the Medway towns. This is one part of Kent that has attracted a greater level of interest from house hunters in recent years, although this probably has more to do with its excellent selection of new properties and proximity to London rather than the fact that Ms Brook once lived there.
3) Gemma Arterton
Not many people realise that Kent can lay claim to producing a fully-fledged Bond girl, but it can. Gemma Arterton, aged 27, was involved in a love scene with Daniel Craig in the 2021 hit Quantum of Solace and she has also appeared in a number of other big movies, including Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
Arterton was born and raised in Gravesend, which is also an up-and-coming area that is proving popular among people who are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of London. There are lots of superb houses in the area, such as these.
4) Charles Dickens
Unlike the other high-profile names in this list, iconic author Charles Dickens was not born in Kent, but he does have very strong links to the county.
The legendary wordsmith was born in Hampshire, but it was in Kent that he completed some of his finest work. Anybody who moves to this part of England will be able to take in numerous landmarks that are dedicated to the writer, including the excellent Dickens World, which can be found in Chatham.
5) Orlando Bloom
Even in his early years at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury there were signs that Orlando Bloom had a real creative edge.
Although he was keen on the arts from a young age, few could have predicted the youngster from Kent would go on to become one of the most famous British actors of his generation, not to mention a big heartthrob.
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