Five famous celebrities who were born in Barking

From World Cup-winning captains to global documentary presenters, here are five famous celebrities who were born in Barking.

Bobby Moore

Bobby Moore (Image: PA) Born in Upney Hospital on April 12 1941 was Bobby Moore – one of the most important figures in English football.

Moore played football for both his primary and secondary school in Barking and Leytonstone respectively before signing for West Ham United in 1956.

He went on to play 646 games for the Hammers across 16 seasons, picking up an FA Cup in 1964 and an English Super Cup in 1965.

Moore’s most famous achievement though was captaining his country to global success as England won their only World Cup to date in 1966.

Moore died in 1993 aged 51.

Rochelle Humes

Rochelle Humes (Image: PA) Rochelle Humes nee Wiseman was born on March 21 1989 in Barking.

She attended Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls in Hornchurch as well as Colin’s Performing Arts School in Romford.

Humes started her pop life in S Club Juniors from 2001 to 2004 before becoming a member of The Saturdays from 2007 to 2014.

She transitioned from singing to presenting and has worked on shows such as Ninja Warrior UK, The Xtra Factor and This Morning.

Since 2019, she has presented the music game show The Hit List alongside her husband Marvin Humes.

Ross Kemp

Ross Kemp (Image: PA) Born on July 21 1964, Ross Kemp’s rise to prominence began with his role in EastEnders where he portrayed hard-man Grant Mitchell.

In October 1999, Kemp left EastEnders and since then has become known for his investigative journalism work.

Ross has filmed documentaries around the world – many in some of the globe’s most dangerous locations such as war-torn Afghanistan or gang-riddled Brazil.

Ross won a BAFTA for best factual series in 2006 for Ross Kemp on Gangs.

John Terry

John Terry (Image: PA) Another multiple trophy winning defender was born in Barking – John Terry, born on December 7 1980.

John attended Eastbury Comprehensive School and played for Sunday league team Senrab F.C.

He joined West Ham’s youth team in 1991 before moving to Chelsea at 14-years-old where he went on to make 717 appearances across 19 seasons for the Blues.

John won three League Cups, five FA Cups, five Premier Leagues, one Europa League and one Champions League in his time at Chelsea before retiring in October 2018.

Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg (Image: PA) Billy Bragg was born in Barking on December 20 1967 where he attended Northbury Junior School and Park Modern Secondary School – now part of Barking Abbey Secondary School.

Across a longer-than-40-year music career, Billy has produced 13 studio albums, six live albums, 12 compilation albums, five extended plays, and 20 singles.

His only number 1 hit single came in May 1988 with a cover of the Beatles’ She’s Leaving Home.

His latest LP, The Roaring Forty, won big two years ago at the AMAUK awards – picking up the trophy for the best-selling Americana album by a UK artist for 2023.