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Who are the 31 stars of Broad Street?

Written by
Tom Lennon
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This week, Private Pike from 'Dad's Army' – aka Brummie-born actor Ian Lavender – was the thirty-first celebrity to be presented with a Broad Street star.

Birmingham's Walk of Stars (as it's officially known) was launched in 2007 as the West Midlands equivalent of the somewhat more illustrious Hollywood Walk of Fame. It's where we celebrate our local heroes; those people from Brum and the Black Country that have done us proud.  

And how do we do that? By walking all over them.     

But who are these stars of Broad Street? Let us be your guide: 

1. Ozzy Osbourne 

Black Sabbath's bad boy and unlikely TV phenomenon – MTV's 'The Osbournes' paved the way for other rich and famous reality shows like 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' (thanks for that, Ozzy). This bat-chomping Brummie was the very first star of Broad Street. Sha-ron!  

Broad Street star date: July 2007 

2. Jasper Carrott

Jasper Carrott

Original image: BBC

Veteran Brummie stand-up comedian, who once presented a teatime quiz show called 'Golden Balls' and actually got away with it. Nicely played.

Broad Street star date: September 2007 

3. Noddy Holder

Noddy Holder

Original image: 70s magazine 'Fan' via sladescrapbook.com

Although born in Walsall, Slade frontman Noddy Holder is synonymous with Birmingham, Christmas and (thanks to Vic and Bob) Cup a Soup. Perennial Yuletide classic 'Merry Xmas Everybody' is no stranger to the bars of Broad Street, although not so much at this time of year.  

Broad Street star date: December 2007

4. Murray Walker

The unmistakeable voice of motor racing was born in Hall Green, a place that has its very own racetrack (albeit for greyhounds). Go, go, go! 

Broad Street star date: June 2008  

5. The Archers and 6. Norman Painting 

A special Broad Street star went to the ridiculously long-running BBC Radio 4 soap (65 years and counting), set in the fictional village of Ambridge, just south of non-fictional Birmingham, where the show is recorded. 

A separate star went to Norman Painting, the Leamington Spa-born actor who played Phil Archer from the show's 1950 debut until his death in 2009.

Broad Street star date: September 2008 

7. Tony Iommi 

Tony Iommi

Original image: Black Sabbath album 'Seventh Star'

The moustachioed Black Sabbath riffmeister is one of the most influential rock guitarists of all time. The band's much-imitated signature sound was a result of an accident in a sheet metal factory in Brum where Tony worked as a teenager. The accident cost him the tips of two of his fingers, so you could say he invented heavy metal music almost single-handedly.   

Broad Street star date: November 2008 

8. Aston Villa F.C. 1982 Team 

Original images: Peter Withe and Gary Shaw's 1981-2 Panini stickers

The classic line-up who defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 to win 1982's European Cup. It must be... it is... Peter Withe!   

Broad Street star date: May 2009  

9. Tony 'Bomber' Brown

West Bromwich Albion footballing legend who scored 279 goals between 1963 and 1980 and helped his team win the FA Cup. There's also a statue of him by the Hawthorns ground. 

Broad Street star date: May 2009 

10. Frank Skinner 

Frank Skinner

Original image: Avalon Television/BBC

West Bromwich-born funnyman and former Football Fantasist, Skinner made patriotism respectable again with the help of fellow comedian David Baddiel and alt-rockers the Lightning Seeds.  

Broad Street star date: August 2009 

11. Gil Merrick

The late Gil Merrick was a legendary goalkeeper who devoted his career to Birmingham City FC: he was Blues goalie between 1939-1960 before managing the team for four years. He passed away a year after receiving his Broad Street star.  

 Broad Street star date: September 2009  

12. Ray Graydon 

During his illustrious footballing career Ray played for Midlands teams Aston Villa and Coventry City. However, he's best known as the former Walsall FC manager who twice led the club to promotion. 

Broad Street Star date: September 2009 

13. Julie Walters  

Bearwood-born Julie Walters is a bona-fide national treasure. This versatile actress was nominated for two Oscars (for 'Educating Rita' and 'Billy Elliot'), but is perhaps best known for her comic portrayal of batty Brummie cleaning lady, Mrs. Overall. 

Broad Street star date: October 2009

14. Gary Newbon 

Veteran Sky Sports presenter who made his name on our very own Central News, where he played Champ Kind to Bob Warman's 'Anchorman'.  

Broad Street star date: December 2009 

15. Lenny Henry

Lenny Henry

Original image: Comic Relief

Veteran comedian, Comic Relief co-founder, late-blooming Shakespearian thesp, 'Tiswas' alumnus and budget hotel ambassador – Dudley's favourite renaissance man certainly earned his Broad Street star. And, this year, a knighthood too.  

 Broad Street star date: December 2009 

16. Beverley Knight  

Wolverhampton-born R&B singer turned West End star Beverley is rightfully regarded as one of Britain's finest soul voices. 'Shoulda Woulda Coulda' – and she did! 

Broad Street star date: March 2010 

17. Joan Armatrading 

Joan Armatrading

Original image: Joan Armatrading album 'The Shouting Stage'

Born in St Kitts and a Brummie from the age of eight, the wonderful Joan Armatrading first shot to fame in the 1970s and was the first black British female singer/songwriter to break America.  

Broad Street star date: May 2010 

18. Chris Tarrant   

Chris Tarrant

Original image: ITV

Former TV millionaire-maker Chris got an his first big break on ’70s Saturday morning anarchy fest, 'Tiswas' - which, appropriately enough, was filmed at the old ATV studios on Broad Street. 

Broad Street star date: August 2010 

19. Birmingham Royal Ballet and 20. David Bintley 

A special star went to the Birmingham Royal Ballet – one of Britain's premier ballet companies – with a separate star going to its long-serving artistic director, David Bintley.  

Broad Street star date: September 2010  

21. Roy Wood 

Kitts Green-born multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter with a weakness for sonic experimentation and face paint. Wood co-founded no less than three classic "Brum Beat" bands of the ’60s and ’70s (The Move, Wizzard and ELO) and famously wished it could be Christmas everyday. 

Broad Street Star date: November 2010 

22. Bev Bevan

Brum Beat vet from Sparkhill, drummer Bev was schoolpals with Jasper Carrott before going on to be stickman for The Move, ELO and (briefly) Black Sabbath.  

Broad Street star date: February 2011 

23. Nigel Mansell 

Nigel Mansell

Original image: Williams F1

Moustachioed motor racing ace Mansell was ranked as one of the top-10 Formula One drivers of all time by F1 commentator and fellow star of Broad Street, Murray Walker. 

Broad Street star date: August 2011 

24. Malkit Singh 

Birmingham-based bhangra singer Malkit was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest-selling solo bhangra artist of all time. He was the first Punjabi singer to be honoured with an MBE and the first Asian recipient of a Broad Street star. 

Broad Street star date: May 2012  

25. Harry Moseley

By far the most moving star of Broad Street, and, sadly, one that had to be awarded posthumously. Harry Mosely was a remarkable, selfless young boy from Sheldon who – after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at the age of seven – spent his remaining years tirelessly raising money for cancer charities.

The Help Harry Help Others charity continues his work and has so far raised over £500,000 for good causes. 

Broad Street star date: May 2012 

26. Jaki Graham 

Handsworth-born soul singer who rose to prominence in the 1980s and continues to perform, with a particularly loyal following in Japan.

Broad Street star date: October 2012

27. Ellie Simmonds 

Walsall-born Paralympic champion who has won double gold at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games. The Beijing medals were awarded to Simmonds when she was only 13. 

Broad Street star date: December 2012 

28. David Harewood 

Actor from Small Heath best known for playing CIA Counterintelligence Chief David Estes in the American political thriller series 'Homeland'. 

Broad Street star date: July 2013 

29. Jeff Lynne 

Jeff Lynne

Original image: Jeff Lynne/ELO

Lead singer with Electric Light Orchestra, Birmingham's answer to the Beatles (and every bit as good). Shard End's Lynne is also a prolific, high-profile record producer and former member of much-loved ’80s supergroup Travelling Wilburys. Mr Blue Sky!   

Broad Street star date: March 2014 

30. Trevor Francis

Trevor Francis

Original image: Birmingham City F.C.

Birmingham City's legendary striker made history by being the first £1 million footballer. This had nothing whatsoever to do with Chris Tarrant. 

Broad Street star date: November 2014

Who do you think should be the next star of Broad Street? Let us know in the comments section below.

Once you have enjoyed Broad Street, soak up some more culture with our list of Birmingham's best museums. 

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