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.
25. Dick Ripley
Born in North Ormesby in 1901, Dick grew up in Hartlepool and earned a bronze medal in the 4 x 400m Great Britain relay team in the 1924 Paris Olympics - a story retold in 1981 movie Chariots of Fire. He died aged 95 in 1996. Photo: Other 3rd Party
26. Jack Rowell
Born in 1937, Rowell coached rugby union side Bath before taking charge of the England national side and leading them to the semi-final of the 1995 World Cup. Photo: Other 3rd Party
27. Sir Ridley Scott
While born in South Shields in 1937, movie director Scott is included after attending West Hartlepool College of Art before later finding fame as director of Alien and Gladiator. His early short movie Boy and Bicycle is also filmed here. Photo: Other 3rd Party
28. Wayne Sleep
Born in Plymouth in 1948, the future ballet dancer and choreographer was raised on the Headland from the ages of two and 12 and still returns to town occasionally to train tomorrow's potential stars. Photo: FLR