Here then is our tribute to just some of the town’s acclaimed sons and daughters. It does not proclaim to be the definitive guide – there would be just too many names to cram in – and is merely a flavour of what we have had to offer the worlds of sport, music, broadcasting, fashion, film and beyond.
21. John McGovern
Born in Montrose, Scotland, in 1949, McGovern moved to Hartlepool aged seven and played at Hartlepools United under the legendary Brian Clough before captaining Cloughie's Division One and European Cup winning sides at Nottingham Forest. Photo: Submitted
22. Sir Compton Mackenzie
The author of novel Whisky Galore and co-founder of the Scottish National Party was born in West Hartlepool in 1883 although it is believed his theatrical family left town within weeks. He died in 1972. Photo: Unknown
23. Phil Middlemiss
Middlemiss, pictured with Denise Welch, is best known for television appearances as bookie Des Barnes in Coronation Street and as David Buckley in Where the Heart Is. Photo: PA
24. Amy Norman
Born in 1874, Amy Beatrice Norman lived in Seaton Carew and was the secretary of the West Hartlepool Branch of the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU). She was a close personal friend of leading suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and organised marches and lectures in town. Her role in the suffrage movement was celebrated at Ward Jackson Park, above, in 2018. She died in 1937. Photo: JPI Media