Southend's got a good history for producing stars - with lots of celebrities and talents people from the seaside town.

From TV mathematicians to singers and actors there are so many who help put Southend on the map.

Here are some the stars from the borough:

NATHALIE EMMANUEL

Any Game of Thrones fan will instantly recognise the stunning Nathalie Emmanuel. The actress is best known for playing Daenerys Targaryen’s right hand woman Missandei, in the blockbuster HBO fantasy series.

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RICKY CHAMP

Ricky Champ, from Southend, is best known for his role of Stuart Highway, Mick Carter’s childhood pal in EastEnders but his impressive acting CV also include the character Gatins in Game of Thrones Season Six, sitcoms Crims and Him & Her, plus appearance in movies such as the World’s End and Mortdecai. In October 2019 it was announced Ricky had signed up for a Strictly special for BBC Children In Need.

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MAISIE SMITH

Former Chalkwell Junior School pupil Maisie Smith, from Westcliff, shot to fame as a six-year-old playing cheeky EastEnders character Tiffany Dean - the youngest daughter of Bianca Jackson, played by Patsy Palmer. She played the role of Tiffany from 2008 to 2014 and then in November 2016, she temporarily returned to the show in the role for a guest stint, before making a full-time return in January 2018.

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KELLIE BRIGHT

Actress Kellie Bright, who is from Great Wakering, has played Eastenders’ Linda Carter since 2013 alongside her on-screen husband Danny Dyer who plays Mick. She won the 2015 British Soap Awards for Best Actress and Best Dramatic Performance for her portrayal of the character in the soap. In 2015, the Essex actress became runner-up in the 13th series of the BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing. Bright has also had main roles in Bad Girls and BBC radio programme The Archers. She has also guest starred in Da Ali G Show and made an appearance in the film Ali G Indahouse. 

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DAVID WITTS

FORMER Southend school boy David Witts landed the role of Joey Branning in Eastenders in 2012. He attended Southend High School for Boys and in 2013 he won the newcomer award at the National Television Awards. His final scenes with the BBC One soap were aired on December 26 2013. He also won “Sexiest Male” at the Inside Soap Awards and was nominated again for “Sexiest Male” at the British Soap Awards in 2013. In early 2014 he starred as Link Larkin in a production of Hairspray at the Curve in Leicester.

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