First nine people honoured on Leicester's Walk of Fame revealed
The first nine people to be honoured on Leicester's Walk of Fame can be revealed today.
They include snooker champion Mark Selby, Adrian Mole creator Sue Townsend and singing legend Engelbert Humperdinck.
Alongside them will be the names of historic greats, including holiday pioneer Thomas Cook, suffragette Alice Hawkins and playwright Joe Orton.
Other people chosen so far are early 20th century free-thinker and socialist Tom Barclay, Olympic medal-winner Jennie Fletcher and architect and designer Ernest Gimson.
Two more people, whose names are yet to be confirmed, will also be included in the first stretch of the Walk of Fame.
Stone plaques in the shape of the city's cinquefoil flower emblem bearing all the names will be embedded in the pavement through Leicester's Cultural Quarter, and unveiled on Saturday, April 24.
Engelbert, who lives in Great Glen, said: "I was delighted to learn I have been nominated by the people of Leicester for the Walk of Fame in the cultural heart of Leicester. This has made me so proud and excited at having a presence there.
"It is a great thrill for me personally and for this to follow having a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood is a great honour, as this is in the city I call home."
Mark Selby said he was "honoured and privileged".
"There are lots of great sports people from Leicester, so to be recognised in this way is a great honour and shows how far I have come over the past two years," he said.
Engelbert and Mark have confirmed they will be at the Walk of Fame unveiling, which will be part of the city's St George's Day celebrations.
The city council spokesman for regeneration, Councillor Patrick Kitterick, said: "Leicester has lots to shout about, including the fantastic people who have contributed to it over the years.
"The Walk of Fame is a great way to celebrate their contributions."
Earlier this year, the city council asked Leicester Mercury readers to nominate individuals, past or present, who have made a positive impact on the city and its people.
The public responded with 147 different nominations. These were all considered by a panel comprising Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Roger Blackmore, outgoing city council leader Ross Willmott and Coun Kitterick.
Set to be included in future sections of the walk are Sir David Attenborough, Lord Richard Attenborough, Gok Wan, Gary Lineker, DNA pioneer Sir Alec Jeffries, John of Gaunt – a key figure in the Plantagenet era – and Bend it Like Beckham star Parminder Nagra.
The Hollywood-style Walk of Fame will eventually stretch from Halford Street, in front of Curve, to the new Phoenix Arts complex.
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by wendy sontag, MESA AZ 85212
Saturday, March 27 2010, 12:51AM
“I am glad to see Enge receive this honor. His heart has always been with the people of Leicester. Next step he should be knighted.
Thank you from his fans in the USA”
by James, London
Thursday, March 25 2010, 11:49AM
“Gok Wan, a man who clearly hates Leicester, who came down to London and tried to pretend he'd lived here all his life, a pathetic man, telling women they don't need to wear make-up when hes sat there pouring it on with a ladle. you put gok wan next to thomas cook? you've got to be kidding.”
by Mark, Leicestershire
Thursday, March 25 2010, 10:07AM
“How about John Deacon (of Oadby), the bass player of Queen....one of the biggest bands in the world? He composed two of their biggest hits: "Another One Bites The Dust" and "Your My Best Friend".”
by Eddie, Leicester
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 5:42PM
“Gok Wan !!!!!! *facepalm*
What no Joseph Merrick?
btw Daniel, for the record it's paid for by Lottery funding not your council tax.”
by Pope_Mullah, Leicester
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 5:41PM
“Gok Wan !!!!!! *facepalm*
What no Joseph Merrick?
btw Daniel, for the record it's paid for by Lottery funding not your council tax.”