Sean Bean attends the premiere of 'When Saturday Comes' at the Warner Brothers Cinema, Meadowhall shopping centre, in February 1996. He grew up in Handsworth, Sheffield, and went to Brook Comprehensive Schoolplaceholder image
Sean Bean attends the premiere of 'When Saturday Comes' at the Warner Brothers Cinema, Meadowhall shopping centre, in February 1996. He grew up in Handsworth, Sheffield, and went to Brook Comprehensive School | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Sheffield retro: 21 classic archive photos celebrating some of the city's most famous sons and daughters

Robert Cumber
By Robert Cumber

Property and retro writer

Published 23rd May 2026, 07:30 BST

Some of Sheffield’s biggest celebrities are pictured in this trip down memory lane, including a few before they became famous

A young Harry Maguire is beaten to the line at sports day, a teenage Jessica Ennis-Hill collects her latest award, and a fresh-faced Jarvis Cocker poses as part of a very early incarnation of Pulp.

They are among Sheffield’s favourite sons and daughters pictured when they were younger in this retro photo gallery, taking us from the 1960s to the noughties.

Actors, comedians, musicians, businesspeople and even a space pioneer feature in this line-up of famous faces who grew up and went to school in Sheffield.

Sean Bean is seen attending the local premiere of the cult 90s film When Saturday Comes, the recently inducted Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Joe Cocker is pictured on stage at a much-missed music venue, and goalkeeping great Gordon Banks is shown celebrating England’s World Cup triumph with his wife and children.

'Prince' Naseem Hamed poses after retaining his WBC International Super Bantamweight Title against Armando Castro at the Scottish National Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, in January 1995. He grew up in Wincobank, Sheffield, and attended Hinde House School.

5. 'Prince' Naseem

'Prince' Naseem Hamed poses after retaining his WBC International Super Bantamweight Title against Armando Castro at the Scottish National Exhibition Centre, Glasgow, in January 1995. He grew up in Wincobank, Sheffield, and attended Hinde House School. | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd Photo: Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Photo Sales
Def Leppard, who formed in Sheffield in 1977, unveil a plaque at Crookes Working Men's Club in October 1995

6. Def Leppard

Def Leppard, who formed in Sheffield in 1977, unveil a plaque at Crookes Working Men's Club in October 1995 | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd` Photo: Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Photo Sales
Helen Sharman, who in 1991 became the first Briton in space, is pictured here in 1996. She grew up in Sheffield and attended Grenoside Junior and Infant School, and Jordanthorpe Comprehensive.

7. Helen Sharman

Helen Sharman, who in 1991 became the first Briton in space, is pictured here in 1996. She grew up in Sheffield and attended Grenoside Junior and Infant School, and Jordanthorpe Comprehensive. | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd Photo: Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Photo Sales
Herol 'Bomber' Graham (right) and Ayub Kalule, European Middleweight Champion, pictured together at St Thomas's Gym before their championship fight in February 1986. Graham was born in Nottingham but moved to Sheffield in his teens.

8. Herol 'Bomber' Graham

Herol 'Bomber' Graham (right) and Ayub Kalule, European Middleweight Champion, pictured together at St Thomas's Gym before their championship fight in February 1986. Graham was born in Nottingham but moved to Sheffield in his teens. | Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd Photo: Picture Sheffield/Sheffield Newspapers Ltd

Photo Sales
Previous
2 / 6
Next Page
Related topics:SheffieldNostalgiaPhoto memoriesMemoriesCelebrityBoost
News you can trust since 1887
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice