With its picturesque landscapes, great shopping and fine food, Hampshire is a magnet for the rich and famous.

However, it has also been home to children, many of whom were unknowns at the time, who would one day grow up to be celebrities.

From journalist to TV personalities, politicians to actors, there are many instantly-recognisable faces who were educated in the county.


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5 celebrities who attended Hampshire Schools

Elizabeth Hurley

Born in Basingstoke, actress and model Elizabeth Hurley attended Harriet Costello School in the town.

The 57-year-old is best known for her roles as Vanessa Kensington in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and as the Devil in Bedazzled.

As well as owning her own beachwear line, Hurley also models for cosmetic company Estée Lauder.

Jon Snow

Journalist Jon Snow won a choral scholarship from Winchester Cathedral and spent five years at the Pilgrims' School.

Best known for being the longest-running presenter of Channel 4 News, the 74-year-old has won several Royal Television Society Awards including two for reports from El Salvador and one for his reporting of the Kegworth air disaster. He also picked up the 1995 Award for Best Male Presenter and the 1980 Award for TV Journalist of the Year.

Amanda Holden

Actress and TV personality Amanda Holden was born in Portsmouth, spending much of her childhood in Bishop's Waltham.

She attended Swanmore Secondary School in the Meon Valley, since renamed Swanmore College.

Most famous for being a judge on ITV's Britain's Got Talent, the 51-year-old also co-hosts the Heart Breakfast radio show with Jamie Theakston.

Nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her title role in the musical stage show Thoroughly Modern Millie her television career includes roles in Cutting It and Wild at Heart.

Rishi Sunak

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, was head boy at Winchester College.

The politician, currently battling it out for the Conservative Party leadership, was voted in as MP for Richmond (Yorks) in 2015 and appointed as chief secretary to the Treasury by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2019.

Kirstie Allsopp

Television presenter Kirstie Allsopp reportedly attended many different schools as a child one of which was Bedales near Petersfield.

The 50-year-old is best known for presenting Channel 4 property show Location, Location, Location.

She is also famous for shows such as Kirstie's Homemade Home and Kirstie's Homemade Christmas, filmed from her restored house in Devon.