From a career as a local journalist in northern England, Clarkson rose to prominence as a presenter on Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s, he has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows for BBC and appearing as a guest on other shows. Most recently he has fronted a documentary following him learning to farm his own land in the Cotswolds.placeholder image
From a career as a local journalist in northern England, Clarkson rose to prominence as a presenter on Top Gear in 1988. Since the mid-1990s, he has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows for BBC and appearing as a guest on other shows. Most recently he has fronted a documentary following him learning to farm his own land in the Cotswolds. | Repton School

21 celebrities who studied at Derbyshire school includes Strictly Dancing icon, Roald Dahl and Jeremy Clarkson

Ria Ghei
By Ria Ghei

Senior Reporter

Published 19th May 2025, 17:50 GMT
Updated 20th May 2025, 09:52 GMT

Repton School in Derbyshire boasts an impressive list of alumni, including Roald Dahl and Jeremy Clarkson.

Repton School is one of Derbyshire’s top educational institutions where many students went on to become household names.

The 13–18 co-educational, private, boarding and day school was founded in 1557 and over the decades has come to be recognised as one the region’s top schools.

The school marked its 450th anniversary in 2007 with a royal visit from Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Celebrations also included concerts featuring Michael Ball and Bryan Ferry.

Through the centuries many Reptonians have gone on to achieve notable success in diverse fields of arts, culture, sport and philanthropy.

Did you know Roald Dahl studied at Repton, and his inspiration behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a chance visit to Cadbury factory in Birmingham?

Here are a few of Repton School’s notable alumni.

David Graeme Garden OBE (Brook 1956) is a Scottish comedian, actor, author, artist and television presenter, best known as a member of The Goodies and a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

9. Graeme Garden OBE, author, playwright and broadcaster

David Graeme Garden OBE (Brook 1956) is a Scottish comedian, actor, author, artist and television presenter, best known as a member of The Goodies and a regular panellist on BBC Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. | Repton School

James Fenton (Hall 1963) is an English poet, journalist, literary critic and a former Oxford Professor of Poetry. While studying at Repton, Fenton acquired an enthusiasm for the work of W.H. Auden. Numerous accolades followed including the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize in 1984 for Children in Exile: Poems 1968-1984 and the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 2007. The American composer Charles Wuorinen set several of his poems to music, and Fenton served as librettist for Wuorinen's opera Haroun and the Sea of Stories which is based on Salman Rushdie's novel.

10. James Fenton, poet

James Fenton (Hall 1963) is an English poet, journalist, literary critic and a former Oxford Professor of Poetry. While studying at Repton, Fenton acquired an enthusiasm for the work of W.H. Auden. Numerous accolades followed including the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize in 1984 for Children in Exile: Poems 1968-1984 and the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry in 2007. The American composer Charles Wuorinen set several of his poems to music, and Fenton served as librettist for Wuorinen's opera Haroun and the Sea of Stories which is based on Salman Rushdie's novel. | Repton School

The author is one of the most famous British novelists, whose books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Over the last half a century many of his children's stories have been adapted for film and television. He has also written a host of short stories, poems and screenplays. During his time at Repton, Dahl and his fellow Reptonians were invited to sample chocolate bars from the nearby Cadbury factory and he dreamed of inventing a new chocolate bar that would impress Mr Cadbury. This was the inspiration behind one of his most famous stories: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

11. Roald Dahl, author

The author is one of the most famous British novelists, whose books have sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. Over the last half a century many of his children's stories have been adapted for film and television. He has also written a host of short stories, poems and screenplays. During his time at Repton, Dahl and his fellow Reptonians were invited to sample chocolate bars from the nearby Cadbury factory and he dreamed of inventing a new chocolate bar that would impress Mr Cadbury. This was the inspiration behind one of his most famous stories: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. | Repton School

Since the late 70’s Johnny Rozsa has been the photographer to the stars. He has snapped the likes of John Malkovich, Tina Turner, Helena Bonham Carter and Hugh Grant.

12. Johnny Rozsa, photographer

Since the late 70’s Johnny Rozsa has been the photographer to the stars. He has snapped the likes of John Malkovich, Tina Turner, Helena Bonham Carter and Hugh Grant. | Repton School

Previous
3 / 6
Next Page
Related topics:Jeremy ClarksonDerbyshireCelebrities
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice