Northumberland is one of the most popular counties across the whole of the country, but did you know many celebrities, sports stars and TV personalities were born here too?

Below is a list of five of them, how many did you know were born in our region?

1) Alexander Armstrong

You probably know him from co-hosting TV quiz show Pointless alongside Richard Osman, but did you know Alexander Armstrong is originally from Rothbury?

The 51-year-old also went to school in our region at Mowden Hall School in Stocksfield before going on to attend St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh before going to Cambridge to study English at University.

After firstly being one half of the Armstrong and Miller show alongside friend Ben Miller, Alexander has gone on to have a long-established career on TV and radio.

As a bass-baritone, he has also released three studio albums too in recent years.

2) Steve Bruce

We’re assuming you probably know who Steve Bruce is, but did you know he was born in Corbridge?

The Manchester United legend, who has also gone on to manage both Sunderland and most recently Newcastle United, was born in the town on New Years Eve back in 1960.

After starting his playing career at Gillingham, Bruce went on to make over 730 appearences as a professional footballer and has also managed ten different sides in his managerial career so far.

This season, he has led Newcastle to safety after a fine run of form towards the end of their Premier League campaign.

3) George Stephenson

Known as the ‘father of railways’ George Stephenson is arguably the most famous steam locomotive engineer in history, but did you know he was born in Wylam?

As well as pioneering the ‘Stephenson gauge’ that would go on to become the standard rail gauge that railways around the world would use, he also created the ‘Rocket’ – one of the most famous steam locomotives.

4) Fraser Forster

Southampton and England goalkeeper Fraser Forster is a regular name on a Premier League teamsheet, but did you know he was born in our region?

The 33-year-old, who has more than 300 professional first team appearances to his name throughout his career, was born in Hexham and also played for Stocksfield at junior level.

The ‘keeper, who stands at a huge 6 ft 7 in, has also made six appearances for the England national side too.

5) Jade Bird

One of the leading lights in indie, folk and country music, Jade Bird is fast becoming a well-established name in the music industry.

Did you know however she was born in Hexham?

The 23-year-old released her first EP - Something American – in 2017 before going on to release her debut single titled Lottery a year later.

From there, and with her popularity growing, 2019 saw her release her debut album – the self-titled Jade Bird – and she hasn’t looked back since.

Recently she also announced plans for a second album - Different Kinds of Light – which is set to be released in August.