Mick Fleetwood and Kristin Scott-Thomas among the 19 most famous people born or raised in Cornwall

Cornwall is famed for its pasties, cream teas and beaches... but what many people may not realise is that a surprising number of celebrities hail from the region.

These stars span the worlds of music, acting, and sports...and all have roots in the county before they shot to national or international fame. And while they might not have a lot of things in common, they certainly have one thing.

Here's a rundown of the famous faces who were born and bred in Cornwall or at least spent a large chunk of their defining years in our county.

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Mick Fleetwood

Both an actor and a musician, Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mack was born in Redruth in 1947. The 76-year-old is famous for his role as co-founder of Fleetwood Mac.

“I was born in Redruth,” Mick onc told in an interview. “I don’t honestly remember much about it because my father was in the RAF and we moved around a lot. He was a Wing Commander which is pretty exciting and he was often transferred to various parts of the world."

Morwenna Banks

Originally from Flushing, near Falmouth, Morwenna Banks has never let go of her Cornish routes. The xx-year-old and her husband own a second home in Coverack on the Lizard peninsula and are known to gush about the beauty of the area.

The 62-year-old attended Truro High School For Girls before moving away to go to Robinson College, Cambridge. More on their life in Cornwall, here.

Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor was legendary band Queen's drummer. He was raised in Truro, educated in Truro School and still has a house in Helford near Falmouth. He's always cherished his links to the county.

Speaking of his steps into the world of rock he once said: “I was in bands all through my teens. I must have played every town and village hall in Cornwall and some in Devon. It kept me sane really – while at school it was a way of earning money and, of course, Truro School was an all-boys’ school back then so it was also a way of meeting girls."

Dame Kristin Scott-Thomas

The Cornish actress was born in Redruth in 1960. She is famous for her roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral , Mission: Impossible and so many French movies.

Her father was a Lieutenant Commander in the RN's Fleet Air Arm, who tragically died in a flying accident when Kristin was at the tender age of five. She is the granddaughter of William Scott Thomas, who commanded HMS Impulsive during World War II.

Robert Shaw

The late Robert Shaw starred in Jaws and played the villain in the James Bond film From Russia With Love. He was born in Lancashire but when he was 12 years old his father took his own life and the family relocated to Cornwall, where he attended Truro School.

He moved away at a young age and began his acting career in theatre, appearing in regional theatre throughout England.

John Rhys-Davies

Who does not know and love Gimli? Well, John Rhys-Davies, who embodied the character in all three Lord of the Rings films also went to Truro School.

Born in Carmarthenshire in Wales, and known as HJ Davies at the time, he was sent to Truro School as a boarder from 1955, becoming head boy in his final year at the independent school in Cornwall's capital in 1962/63.

Ben Ainslie

Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie too attended Truro School. The sailor, who learned to sail at Restronguet Creek near Falmouth, won medals at five consecutive Olympics from 1996 onwards.

He started sailing at the age of eight and first competed at the age of ten. His first international competition was aged twelve at the 1989 Optimist world championships held in Japan where he placed 73rd.

Richard James

Richard James, also known as electronic dance pioneer the Aphex Twin, grew up in Lanner and went to Redruth School.

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Thandiwe Newton

Melanie Thandiwe Newton, OBE, formerly credited as Thandie Newton, is a British actress. She was born in London but was actually brought up in Penzance from the age of three.

She's spoken publicly in the past about the racism she faced growing up in the county, where her father was originally from.

"We may as well have been the first Black people anyone had ever seen," Thandiwe once told Vogue reports. "Moving from Zambia to Cornwall in the 1970s was an extraordinary experience," she told The Times. "The story of living in Penzance as the only Black family would make a fabulous sitcom if there had been a little more humour."

Dame Daphne du Maurier

Born in London but having spent most of her years in Fowey, where she also died, the famous novelist and playwright had a clear infatuation with Cornwall.

Du Maurier spent her childhood at Cannon Hall, Hampstead, the family's London residence, and summers at their home in Fowey, where they also lived during the war years. As her fame increased she became more reclusive but continued to live out her days at the home until her death.

Sam Palladio

Sam stars in US series Nashville. He was brought up in Penzance.

Helen Glover

The Olympic rower was born in Truro in 1986 and grew up in Penzance, where she still lives now.

Susan Penhaligon

The actress was known for her role in the drama series Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976) and for playing Helen Barker in the sitcom A Fine Romance, among other things. She was brought up in both St Ives and Penzance.

Nick Darke

Nick Darke was both a playwright and a lobster fisherman. He was born in Bodmin in 1948 and lived in Padstow and Porthcothan. He was also known within Cornwall as a lobster fisherman, environmental campaigner, and chairman of St Eval Parish Council.

John Nettles

The actor, aged 80, played in Bergerac and Poldark. He was born in St Austell and attended St Austell Grammar School. He is best known for his starring roles as detectives in former the crime drama television series in the title role, and Midsomer Murders as Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby. He has also narrated several television series.

Nigel Martyn

The former England goalie played between 1987 to 2006. He was born in St Austell and started to play football in Cornish teams. . He notably played in the Premier League for Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton, having initially played in the Football League with Bristol Rovers.

Phillip Schofield

Schofield was born in Oldham but moved to Newquayat the age of eighteen months where his mother still lives to this day, with her son paying frequent visits. He attended Trenance Infant School and Newquay Tretherras School before appearing aged 15 on Hospital Radio Plymouth in his first media position.

Benjamin Luxon

The former international baritone was born in Redruth in 1937. Now aged 87 he's been retired from the life of fame for sometime.

Lucy Beaumont

Okay, it was only by accident and there is no other connection for the comedian from Hull, but the star of Taskmaster and many a panel show appearance, who recently announced a split from husband and fellow comic Jon Richardson, was born at Royal Cornwall Hospital when her family was on holiday in north Cornwall.

Florence Cameron

She's not a celebrity as such and she is not being brought up in Cornwall but, similarly to Beaumont, former Prime Minister David Cameron's daughter was indeed born at the Royal Cornwall Hospital while the family was visiting the county for a break. Her parents even gave her a Cornish middle name - Endellion - inspired by north Cornwall village St Endellion.