It’s been a busy year for some of Southampton’s most well-known faces.
From attending lavish unveilings to becoming recognised throughout the city on the latest reality television shows, here’s what Southampton’s celebrities have been up to this year.
Saints FC legend and Echo columnist Franny Benali unveiled a newly refurbished teaching area at Thornden School in February.
Students from the Year 8 and Year 11 football teams braved the wet weather and joined Franny for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The building took seven months and £9,000 to complete – as the former Saints full-back said: “Being a boy born and raised in the city and going to school locally, it was really nice to be invited along.”
READ MORE: Franny Benali at Thornden School to open new building
Southampton-based sports presenter and former Olympic medallist, Iwan Thomas joined a host of famous faces including former Manchester United and England goalkeeper, Ben Foster, and television presenter, Katie Piper at the unveiling of a new Garmin store in Westquay last month.
READ MORE: Ben Foster and Katie Piper open new Garmin store in Westquay
Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington spent another year as a professional dancer on the BBC show.
Born and raised in Chandler’s Ford, the ballroom dancer also announced he’d be appearing on Channel 4’s, Celebrity Hunted.
READ MORE: Kai Widdrington on Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted
In a rare opportunity, Hollywood director and creator of Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda beamed into Southampton from across the pond to talk about his hit Broadway and West End show debuting in Southampton in 2025.
Speaking to the Echo in an exclusive interview, he said: “I think the theatre going experience is more vital than ever.”
READ MORE: Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tells all about his smash hit
Elsewhere, the region was represented in an array of reality television shows in 2024.
New Forest gardener, Caspar Todd appeared on Married at First Sight UK – where couples are paired together and quite literally marry at first sight.
Caspar married Emma Barnes, a sales investment manager from Bristol. Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t quite work out as the pair had hoped and both departed the show before its season finale.
READ MORE: Caspar and Emma return to Married at First Sight UK
Meanwhile on Love Is Blind UK on Netflix, Maria – a 30-year-old make-up artist from Southampton – went in search on finding love.
She accepted a marriage proposal from 38-year-old Tom, an advertising consultant from London, but was left disappointed on her wedding day as she was Tom walked away from the marriage during the ceremony.
READ MORE: Love Is Blind UK sees Maria and Tom face off in finale
Capping a trilogy of disappointing marriages, Charlotte from Southampton appeared on 90 Day Fiancé where she married her holiday romance, Johan.
However, the marriage didn’t last long after Charlotte discovered Johan had been seeing other woman, and she threw her wedding ring into the sea.
READ MORE: 90 Day Fiancé star looking to divorce 'con artist' husband
Finally, dance group Diversity appeared in Southampton to promote Jack and the Beanstalk at the Mayflower Theatre.
Appearing in pantomime over Christmas, the show is running throughout Christmas and New Year.
READ MORE: Ashley Banjo talks pantomime ahead of Southampton return
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