Nine famous faces and celebrities from Derby - including actress Lauren Socha and politician David Frost

Derby is a city known for many things including The Derby Silk Mill, the Derwent Valley and Derby County Football Club.

It is also famed for the host of celebrities that have come from the city, including actors and sportsmen.

Some celebrities have proudly voiced that they are from Derby, while others you might be surprised to find out that they grew up in the city.

Celebrities like actors Lauren and Michael Socha were born in Derby and went to local schools

In no particular order, here are nine celebrities from Derby and the surrounding areas.

Lauren Socha

Lauren Socha is an actress most known for her role as Kelly Bailey in E4’s drama Misfits.

The actress attended St. George’s RC Primary School, Burton College and St. Benedict’s Catholic School and Performing Arts College, before going on to train at the Central Junior Television Workshop in Nottingham.

In 2011, Lauren won a BAFTA Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Misfits.

Michael Socha

Michael Socha is the brother of actress Lauren Socha and is most known for his appearance in the This is England films.

The actor was raised in Littleover and attended St. Benedict Catholic School before attending the Central Junior Television Workshop in Nottingham. 

Michael has previously starred in the Chernobyl television series, as well as Time and Big Boys Don’t Cry.

Ewan Mitchell

Ewan Mitchell is an actor who is most known for his appearances in ITV’s The Halcyon and medieval drama The Last Kingdom. 

Ewan was born and raised in Derby and began his acting career in 2015 after finishing school.

In 2022, Ewan took on the role of Prince Aemond Targaryen in the HBO series House of the Dragon, which is a prequel to Game of Thrones.

Kathy Etchingham

Kathy Etchingham is a writer and music DJ most known for her involvement in the Swinging London scene in the 1960s.

Her work as a DJ saw her playing the up and coming musicians of the time including The Animals, The Who, The Kinks and The Moody Blues.

At the age of 20, Kathy met and began dating Jimi Hendrix and was the inspiration for many of his songs including The Wind Cries Mary and Foxy Lady.

Tony Franklin

Tony Franklin is a musician, most known for playing bass guitar for Roy Harper, Jimmy Page and Kate Bush.

Tony first began performing at the age of five and got his first big break in 1984 when he joined The Firm.

He appeared on eight of Roy Harper’s albums between 1982 and 2013.

David Frost

David Frost, otherwise known as Lord Frost is a member of the House of Lords and a member of the Conservative party.

Born in Derby, David then attended Nottingham High School before attending St. John’s College in Oxford.

David previously served as the Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, as well as the Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe.

Patricia Greene

Patricia Greene is a radio actress most known for her role as Jill Archer in the iconic BBC drama The Archers.

She has played Jill Archer continuously since 1957, which makes her the longest serving actor in a soap opera of any medium.

Patricia was born in Allenton and worked previously as a ward orderly at the Derbyshire Children’s Hospital.

Sat Bains

Sat Bains is a chef and proprietor of the two-Michelin star Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms in Nottingham.

At 18-years-old he attended Derby College before winning the Roux Scholarship in 1999.

Sat Bains was also one of the winners of the BBC cooking competition, Great British Menu in 2007.

Dominic Burns

Dominic Burns is an actor and film director who has worked on UFO and the Jay and Silent Bob reboot.

Dominic was born in Derby and attended the Ecclesbourne School before he began working in film in 2006.

He began acting in 2006 when he featured in a local Derby production The Buck Rules where he also worked as an Associate Producer.