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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Kate Lally & Lottie Gibbons

Eight 'Scouse' celebs that aren't actually from Liverpool

Liverpool has produced a long list of famous actors, singers and television personalities.

The likes of Paul Hollywood and John Bishop are just some of the famous faces that come to mind when people from outside the city think of our region's wealth of talent. But as previously reported, none of these names are actually Scousers.

The late, great, Paul O'Grady was also often referred to as a Liverpudlian, but was in fact from Birkenhead. There's now a huge campaign for a statue of him to be built in his hometown.

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Despite often being thought of as them by people living elsewhere in the UK, there are a number of celebrities who often get confused for being from Liverpool. But while they do have a connection to the city, they aren't actually Scousers.

Many of these famous faces, however, regularly praise the region on social media. Let's take a look at some of our favourite "Scouse" celebs who aren't actually from the city.

Melanie Chisholm

Mel C aka Sporty Spice is often thought to have a Scouse accent (Ian West/PA Wire)

Also known as Sporty Spice, Mel C rose to fame when The Spice Girl's debut single Wannabe topped the charts in July 1996. Following their success Mel forged a credible solo career, selling more than 12 millions records.

And while many Spice Girl fans think of her as "the Scouse one", Mel actually grew up in Widnes, in Cheshire after being born in Whiston. Liverpool, however, does hold a special place in her heart.

She said in a previous interview: "Just looking out of the window makes me feel quite emotional. You can’t beat Liverpool. Just being in Liverpool is so exciting, just seeing all the lovely architecture."

Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall loves Liverpool (James Maloney)

Actress Kim Cattrall shot to fame when she starred as Samantha Jones on rom-com television series Sex and the City. And whilst Kim was born in Mossley Hill, she moved to Canada when she was three-months-old.

She then moved back to Liverpool during her teenage years, before returning to Canada and eventually moving to New York City. Hence why her Twitter bio says: "Liverpool born, Canadian-bred New Yorker."

That said, Kim frequently speaks out about her love for Liverpool. On one of her more recent visits to the city, Kim tweeted all about her trips to Crosby beach and a birthday comedy night at The Slaughterhouse in Liverpool city centre.

Nicola Roberts

Nicola Roberts on The Masked Singer (ITV)

The Girls Aloud singer may have gained international fame for her musical talents, but she's always said nowhere compares to Liverpool. Appearing on The Masked Singer last year, many recognised Nicola Roberts' distinctive Liverpool accent.

In a previous interview with the ECHO, Nicola said: "I’m such a geek about Liverpool, I miss it so much. If I hear a Scouse accent when I’m in London I’m over there like a shot. I was in a petrol station the other day and a heard a Scouse accent.

"I ran over to the woman but I didn’t know what to say. I picked something up off the floor and I was like ‘have you dropped this?’ just so I could hear the accent."

But she isn't actually from Liverpool. Nicola was born in Stamford in Lincolnshire, but grew up in Runcorn.

Paul Hollywood

Paul Hollywood on the Bake Off (Channel 4)

One of Google's suggested searches about the Bake Off star is 'Is Paul Hollywood a Scouser?' The answer to that question is no.

The 55-year-old was born in Wallasey in Wirral and attended The Mosslands School. However, Paul definitely has a regional lilt, which has led GBBO viewers to believe he is from Liverpool.

Amy Jackson

Former Miss Liverpool turned Bollywood actress Amy Jackson (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for The Red Sea International Film Festival)

Bollywood star Amy Jackson launched her modelling career at the age of 16, and went on to win Miss Teen World in 2009 before being propelled to fame in India. She has even crowned Miss Liverpool in 2010.

And despite travelling the world, Amy always talks about her love for Liverpool. But Amy was actually born in Douglas in the Isle of Man and lived there until she was two-years-old. She then moved to Woolton and attended St Edward's College.

Paul O'Grady

Paul O'Grady is one of Merseyside's most iconic stars ((C) Battersea Cats and Dogs Home)

The late Paul O'Grady had a long-running TV career that saw Lily Savage go on to become a dog's best friend. Paul may have sounded Scouse to those from further afield, but the star was born and bred in Birkenhead.

Paul was once of the greatest Merseysiders of all time, with people from around the region and further afield being shaken by his unexpected death last month. Tributes have flooded in from his many celebrity friends, as well as those out of the public eye whose lives and hearts he touched.

Cathy Tyson

Actress Cathy Tyson is best-known for her roles in neo-noir film Mona Lisa and Carol Johnson, in the ITV series, Band of Gold.

She was also married to former Coronation Street actor Craig Charles. You'll see her described in many local celebrity lists, but Cathy doesn't originally hail from Liverpool.

She was born in Kingston-upon-Thames in London and lived there as a young child before moving to Liverpool with her family.

John Bishop

John Bishop (ITV)

We may need a bit of leeway on this one as it's slightly complicated. Comedian John is well-loved across the country for his quick-witted humour and anecdotes.

In 2015, the 54-year-old hit back at critics who questioned his Liverpool roots after he praised the protestors who chased neo-Nazis out of Liverpool. When one follower suggested he was born in Runcorn, he replied: “That’s news to me! I was born in Mill Rd. I lived in Runcorn for eight years from the age of 10 - 10 is a big age to be born!”

John was born in Liverpool’s Mill Road maternity hospital and lived in Mill Road until his parents, who are from Huyton, moved to Winsford and later Runcorn.

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