Here are five celebrity stars whose childhoods are rooted firmly in and around Romford.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard was born in Romford in June 1978 (Image: PA)
The Premier League’s seventh highest ever goalscorer, Frank Lampard, was born in Romford on June 20, 1978.
Lampard was born into a footballing family with his father, Frank Lampard Sr, playing for West Ham United, while his uncle Harry Redknapp managed at the club.
Lampard grew up locally and attended Brentwood School while progressing through West Ham’s youth system.
In his autobiography Totally Frank, he recounts his childhood in Romford and emphasises that football and family were the most important elements in his early years.
Billy Ocean
Billy Ocean moved to Romford aged 10 (Image: PA)
Billy Ocean – whose birth name is Leslie Sebastian Charles – moved from Trinidad to Romford at the age of 10.
He spent his formative years around Romford, singing in clubs in London while working as a tailor in Havering.
Ocean has said that moving to Britain “opened up a whole new world” for him in a 2020 Rolling Stone Australia interview, giving him access to the soul and R&B influences that shaped his sound.
He rose to global fame in the 1980s with hits like Caribbean Queen and When the Going Gets Tough, winning a Grammy Award and selling more than 30 million records worldwide.
Jesy Nelson
Jesy Nelson was born in Romford in June 1991 (Image: PA)
Little Mix star Jesy Nelson was born in Romford on June 14, 1991 and attended Abbs Cross Academy & Arts College in Hornchurch and later Jo Richardson Community School in Dagenham.
After winning X Factor in 2011 and signing a record deal with Simon Cowell, Little Mix became one of the biggest pop groups in the country.
In June 2024, Nelson paid a surprise visit to Rhodes Theatre school – which she used to attend in Romford.
As part of Little Mix, Nelson has gone on to achieve 17 UK Top 10 singles and five UK No. 1 singles.
Sara Pascoe
Sara Pascoe grew up in Romford after being born in Dagenham (Image: PA)
Comedian and writer Sara Pascoe was born in Dagenham but grew up in Romford, where she lived from childhood through her teenage years.
She attended Eastbury Comprehensive School in Barking and later Gaynes School in Upminster.
Pascoe has previously spoken about her years in Romford, including joining a local drama group which helped begin her performing career.
She began performing stand‑up in 2007 and quickly gained recognition, becoming runner‑up in the Funny Women Award in 2008 and debuting her first Edinburgh Fringe show – Sara Pascoe vs Her Ego – in 2010.
Richard Madeley
Richard Madeley was born in Romford in May 1956 (Image: PA)
Television presenter and journalist Richard Madeley was born in Romford on May 13, 1956.
As a boy, Madeley was sent to The Coopers’ Company School – an all‑boys’ grammar school which was, at the time located, in Bow.
In a 2023 interview with the Telegraph, he recalled: “I have no idea why I went there as we lived in Romford, Essex – way outside the school’s catchment area.”
Madeley later became known nationally through This Morning, Richard & Judy and Good Morning Britain.