Famous alumni at Accrington and Rossendale College

One college in Accrington has welcomed several people who have gone on to become household names, recognised the world over for their achievements.

Accrington and Rossendale College has taught footballer Gary Neville and World Superbike champion Carl Fogarty, to name a few.

Lisa O'Loughlin, principal and chief executive of Nelson and Colne College Group, said: "The incredible talent that's emerged from our college and community over the last 75 years speaks volumes about our vibrant and hardworking culture.

“Amidst all the changes, one thing remains constant: our students' dedication and ambition to be their best.

"It's no surprise that so many ARC students have found fame – our borough and college produce some truly relatable and remarkable individuals!"

Here are just some of the famous faces that have been taught at the college:

Carl Fogarty

Carl Fogarty (Image: NQ)

Blackburn-born Carl, who currently lives in Mellor, is regarded as one of the most successful World Superbike racers of all time.

He is known for his fierce determination to win which netted him 59 victories and four World Superbike Championships.

Not just king of the superbikes, Carl also took part in ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here’ in 2014 when he was crowned ‘King of the Jungle’.

His daughter Claudia also featured on Love Island earlier this year but couldn't emulate her dad's success.

Gary Neville

Gary Neville (Image: PA)

This ex-Manchester United and England international footballer is regarded as a legend at his former club, where he amassed 602 appearance winning eight league titles and two Champions Leagues.

He was part of the famous Class of 92 alongside Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and Paul Scholes, who propelled the club to glory.

He retired as a player in 2011 and is now a Sky Sports News pundit alongside running a hospitality company and a higher education institution.

Neville attended the college in his youth.

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh (Image: NQ)

Julie is best known for starring in Coronation Street.

The Accrington actress played Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street for 16 years.

She won a National Television Award in 2014 and has since starred in shows such as Happy Valley and Broadchurch, as well as treading the boards at theatres in London and Manchester.

She is also a published author writing ‘An Actor’s Alphabet’ last year.

Nigel Haworth

Nigel Haworth (Image: NQ)

Whalley-born Michelin-starred chef Nigel also graced the halls of the college.

The first dish he prepared for service was a lemon meringue pie for his tutor Mrs Smithies at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Having held a Michelin-star for more than 20 years, Nigel embarked on a culinary journey covering London, Scotland and Switzerland, before returning home to take over the kitchen as Head Chef at then Northcote Manor in 1984.

By 1995, Nigel was celebrating the Egon Ronay Chef Of The Year award. Just a year later, he gained his first Michelin star, which he has retained ever since.

He has made several television appearance on shows including Masterchef, Great British Menu and Saturday Kitchen.

Nigel now manages The Three Fishes in Mitton, which opened in 2021.

Mina Anwar

Mina Anwar (Image: NQ)

This Accrington-born actress is know for her appearances in HBOMax show Starstruck, playing the character Neeta.

She also starred in Rowan Atkinson police comedy The Thin Blue Line, which aired in 1995.

She played a no-nonsense young WPC Maggie Habib in the comedy written by Ben Elton.

She also made appearances in Casualty, The Bill, Doctor Who and Doctors to name a few, and played Ravinder Kalirai in Coronation Street, appearing in several episodes between 2005 and 2006.

David Dunn

David Dunn (Image: NQ)

David is a former Blackburn Rovers player and coach.

He started his professional career at Rovers in 1998, aged 18.

Dunn first left Rovers for Birmingham City in 2003, returning four years later, and departed again for Oldham in 2015 where he would have his first taste of management.

He made more than 300 appearances at Rovers.

He also represented the England national side at u18’s and under 21’s levels and won one senior cap in 2002.

Jeanette Winterson 

Jeanette Winterson (Image: NQ)

This writer became famous with her first book Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit based on her experiences growing up in Accrington.

Her coming-of-age novel, about being abandoned by her birth mother, being adopted by evangelists and brought up to become a missionary and then discovering her sexuality as a lesbian, has since become a television story.

She also retold the story of the Pendle witch trials in The Daylight Gate.

She was given a CBE in 2018.

Lee Ingleby

Lee Ingleby in Screw (Image: Channel 4)

Harry Potter fans might recognise this Nelson-born actor as wizarding bus driver, Stan Shunpike, in The Prisoner of Azkaban.

More recently he appeared in Channel 4’s Screw and is set to appear in ITV drama about a notorious serial killer The Long Shadow later this month.

He is also known for The Hunt for mini-series Raoul Moat and BBC crime series Line of Duty.

Dominic Brunt

Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale (Image: ITV)

Dominic is best known for playing Paddy Kirk in Emmerdale. It is a role he has played since 1997.

He previously talked about overcoming chronic shyness and a stutter in order to pursue acting.

He was recently nominated for a National Television Award for best serial drama. This is thanks to his portrayal of Paddy’s mental health storyline.