Famous People from Poole

Edgar Wright

Edgar Wright is an English director, screenwriter and producer, who has directed a number of films and TV shows such as Asylum, The World’s End, Hot Fuzz and many more. He was born in Poole in 1974, and although he mostly grew up in Wells, he returned to his roots in 1992 to attend Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design (now Arts University Bournemouth).

John Le Carré

John Le Carré is a British author who writes espionage novels – A Legacy of Spies, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, A Perfect Spy and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy just to name a few. Spy fiction novelist John was born in 1931 in Poole, although he moved north before his schooling began and attended St Andrew's Preparatory School, near Pangbourne, Berkshire. His older brother was a former county cricketer in Dorset.

Greg Lake

Greg Lake was an English singer, songwriter bassist, guitarist and record producer who was born in Poole in 1947, beginning his music career at age 12 when he wrote his first song ‘Lucky Man’. He was born in the Parkstone area of Poole and raised in nearby suburb Oakdale, attending Oakdale Junior School and later on taking up work loading and unloading cargo at the Poole docks for a short period. 

Greg sadly passed away from cancer in 2016, aged 69. 

Sir Roger Gale

Sir Roger Gale is a British Conservative politician, born in Poole in 1943 and becoming a Member of Parliament for North Thanet in Kent in 1983. He was born in Poole, Dorset and was educated at Southbourne Preparatory School in nearby Bournemouth, and the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester. 

Kyle Taylor

Kyle Taylor is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League Club AFC Bournemouth. Kyle was born in Poole and grew up in the Poole/Bournemouth area, signing a youth contract with AFC Bournemouth aged just 12. In 2019, he joined Forest Green Rovers on a long-season loan.

Louisa Clein

Louisa Clein is an English actress, best known for playing the role of Maya Stepney in the ITV soap opera, Emmerdale. She was born in Poole in 1979 and attended Talbot Heath School in Dorset. Louisa has featured in other popular TV shows throughout her career such as Holby City, Doctors, Casualty, New Tricks, Midsummer Murders and Fanny Hill. 

Katy Hill

Katy Hill is an English TV Presenter who has worked in TV and radio since 1995, best known for presenting popular CBBC Blue Peter, which is the longest running children’s programme. Katy was born in Poole, and her father was the local vicar in the area. She then went on to attend St Edward’s Church of England School in Romford, London.

Brianna Stubbs

Brianna Stubbs is a British rower and research scientist who won two gold medals for Great Britain at the 2013 U23 and 2016 World Rowing Championships. At age 12, she completed a row across the English Channel with her father, making her the youngest person to do this. She was born in Poole in 1991 and attended Canford School.