This is a list of notable people who were either born in, or have lived in, the town of South Shields, Tyne & Wear, in the UK. It includes current and historical residents.
Art and architecture
John Chambers, artist
Sheila Graber, animator, born South Shields, made an outstanding animation about the river Tyne. James Kirkup (1918-2009), poet Tish Murtha, documentary photographer born in South Shields, best known for her work documenting marginalised communities, social realism and working class life in Newcastle upon Tyne and The North East England. Robert Olley born South Shields, painter of the Westoe Netty Alison Smithson, co-founder with husband Peter Smithson of New Brutalism movement in architecture
Business
John Barbour (1849–1918) clothier, inventor and manufacturer of the Barbour jacket
Entertainment
Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix. Charlie Drummond, a 2009 Big Brother contestant. Sir Ridley Scott (born 1937) film director and producer. Marnie Simpson, Reality Star. Kane Avellano, Guinness World Record for youngest person to circumnavigate the world by motorcycle (solo and unsupported) at the age of 23 in 2017.
Acting
Albert Burdon (1900–1981), actor, comedian
Craig Conway (born 1975), actor starred in Our Friends in the North. Ron Cook (born 1948), British television and theatre actor Eva Elwes (1876–1950), actor, playwright and manager of Alexandra Theatre, South Shields Eric Idle, part of the Monty Python team George Irving (born 1954), actor in films and TV. (Anton Meyer in Holby City) Lindsay Kemp, dancer, actor, teacher, mime artist and choreographer Dale Meeks, actor from Emmerdale (Simon Meredith) Leslie Randall (actor) Dame Flora Robson (1902–1984), Oscar-nominated actress Richard Short (born 1975), actor Edward Wilson, television actor (Billy Seaton in 'When the Boat Comes in') and director of the National Youth Theatre 1987-2004. John Woodvine (born 1929) RSC actor
Broadcasting
Connor Robinson, former UFC Presenter
Anna Foster English radio news reporter and presenter, currently presenting the early evening programme 5 Live Drive with Tony Livesey on Wednesday to Friday.
Comedy
Dave Sanderson aka Mr Food (comedy character on BBC Radio's Steve Wright In The Afternoon) Steve Furst (born 1967), comedian Sarah Millican (born 1975), stand-up comedian Chris Ramsey (comedian) (born 1986), stand-up comedian Rosie Ramsey (podcaster, writer, socialite)
Music
Angelic Upstarts, punk band formed in South Shields in 1977. Jack Brymer (1915–2003), eminent classical clarinetist Lulu James, British soul artist. Ernest Farrar (1885–1918), organist, composer Ginger (born David Walls, 1964), founding member of The Wildhearts, a hard rock and punk rock band; had success in the mid-'90s Alex Kapranos, born in Gloucestershire but was brought up in South Shields, singer in the group Franz Ferdinand Barry Lamb, experimental musician, composer was born in South Shields, 1963. Claire Rutter, operatic soprano Splinter (band) Kathy Stobart (born 1936), jazz saxophonist Danny McCormack, founding member of The Wildhearts Joe McElderry, winner of The X Factor in 2009. Jade Thirlwall (born 1992), raised in Laygate, South Shields, part of four-piece girl group Little Mix, winner of the eighth series of X Factor UK. Perrie Edwards (born 1993), part of four-piece girl group Little Mix, winner of the eighth series of X Factor UK.
Military
Richard Wallace Annand (1914–2004), first Victoria Cross recipient of the Second World War John Simpson Kirkpatrick (1892–1915), hero of the Gallipoli campaign in WWI. Henry Howey Robson (1894–1964), recipient of the Victoria Cross
Politics
Billy Blyton, Baron Blyton (1899–1987) of South Shields, Labour Party politician
Sir William Fox (1812–1893) four times Prime Minister of New Zealand
Harold Heslop (1898–1983) trade unionist and writer
John Erickson (1929–2002), professor of politics at Edinburgh. NATO adviser
John Gray (born 1948), philosopher, formerly professor of European Thought at the LSE in London. Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield
Religion
Oswine of Deira died (651 AD), Northumbrian King and Saint, legend states that he was born at Caer Urfa, site of the excavated Roman fort of Arbeia situated on the Lawe Top.