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Birmingham Walk of Stars Ozzy Osbourne
Star for Ozzy Osbourne on the canal bridge pavement of Broad Street

The Broad Street Walk of Stars is a walk of fame-style installation on the pedestrian pavement of Broad Street, Birmingham, England, which honours notable people from the Birmingham area or with significant connections with it. The scheme is organised and funded by the Broad Street Business Improvement District.

Criteria

The criteria for a person to have their star added to the walk include that they must have performed at one of Birmingham's major venues such as the International Convention Centre (ICC), National Indoor Arena (NIA), Symphony Hall and The Rep theatre. They must also be originally from the area or have prominent links with Birmingham and the Midlands region. The walk honours the residents of the city who have made a significant contribution in the categories of music, television, film, radio, theatre, sport, business and literacy.

History

The idea for a Walk of Fame style tribute was first thought of by a local Birmingham man Garry Raybould, who then approached the Broad Street Business Improvement District who developed the idea and created the name Broad Street Walk of Stars together with a brand and registration of the original website, www.walkofstars.co.uk which quickly became very popular and was chosen by Radio 2 as 'Website of the Day'. The first star to be honoured was Ozzy Osbourne on 6 July 2007. The event was held in Centenary Square and introduced by Elliott Webb from Birmingham's commercial radio station BRMB and the star was presented to Ozzy by Lord Mayor of Birmingham Randal Brew. The Ozzy Osbourne presentation created £1.7M worth of worldwide publicity for the area.

Comedian Jasper Carrott was the second person to have a star installed on Broad Street on 15 September 2007. The star was presented to him by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham during ArtsFest in front of a 10,000 strong crowd. In December 2007, Noddy Holder became the third inductee on the Walk of Stars which was presented to him on a canal boat, during the Broad Street Christmas Canal Boat Light Parade.

The stars were briefly fenced off following safety concerns about their polished surfaces. Leicestershire-based Charcon Specialist Products, who produced the stars, was consulted over the situation.

Murray Walker was inducted into the Walk of Stars. A joint induction took place on 12 September 2008 for BBC Radio 4 series The Archers and cast member Norman Painting. On 7 October 2008, the BBC announced that Julie Walters would be inducted. The following month founder member of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi was inducted.

On 26 March 2009, it was announced that each of five local football clubs (Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Walsall, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers) would have a star commemorating their teams, a player, or a specific era. The presentation ceremonies will be staggered between May and August.

Stars honoured

Number Recipient Induction date Profession Comments Image Location
1 Ozzy Osbourne 6 July 2007 Musician Founding member of Black Sabbath and solo artist Birmingham Walk of Stars Ozzy Osbourne.jpg 52°28′40″N 1°54′40″W / 52.47786°N 1.91099°W / 52.47786; -1.91099 (Ozzy Osbourne)
2 Jasper Carrott 15 September 2007 Comedian Comedian, actor and television presenter Birmingham Walk of Stars Jasper Carrott.jpg 52°28′31″N 1°54′51″W / 52.47539°N 1.91416°W / 52.47539; -1.91416 (Jasper Carrott)
3 Noddy Holder 9 December 2007 Musician Member of Slade Birmingham Walk of Stars Noddy Holder.jpg 52°28′37″N 1°54′43″W / 52.47706°N 1.91200°W / 52.47706; -1.91200 (Noddy Holder)
4 Murray Walker 28 June 2008 Sports commentator BBC/ITV Formula One coverage Birmingham Walk of Stars Murray Walker.jpg 52°28′42″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47847°N 1.90880°W / 52.47847; -1.90880 (Murray Walker)
5 The Archers 12 September 2008 Soap opera Long-running BBC Radio 4 serial Birmingham Walk of Stars The Archers.jpg 52°28′42″N 1°54′35″W / 52.47825°N 1.90978°W / 52.47825; -1.90978 (The Archers)
6 Norman Painting 12 September 2008 Actor Voice of Phil Archer in The Archers Birmingham Walk of Stars Norman Painting.jpg 52°28′42″N 1°54′35″W / 52.47822°N 1.90985°W / 52.47822; -1.90985 (Norman Painting)
7 Tony Iommi 23 November 2008 Musician Member of Black Sabbath Birmingham Walk of Stars Tony Iommi.jpg 52°28′42″N 1°54′36″W / 52.47827°N 1.91012°W / 52.47827; -1.91012 (Tony Iommi)
8 Aston Villa F.C. 1982 Team 4 May 2009 Football team 1982 European Cup-winning team Birmingham Walk of Stars Aston Villa.jpg 52°28′41″N 1°54′38″W / 52.47810°N 1.91054°W / 52.47810; -1.91054 (Aston Villa F.C.)
9 Tony 'Bomber' Brown 17 May 2009 Footballer Professional footballer from West Bromwich Albion F.C. Birmingham Walk of Stars Tony Brown.jpg 52°28′39″N 1°54′42″W / 52.47739°N 1.91158°W / 52.47739; -1.91158 (Tony Brown)
10 Frank Skinner 1 August 2009 Comedian Co-Host of Fantasy Football League Birmingham Walk of Stars Frank Skinner.jpg 52°28′38″N 1°54′41″W / 52.47727°N 1.91132°W / 52.47727; -1.91132 (Frank Skinner)
11 Gil Merrick September 2009 Footballer Professional footballer from Birmingham City F.C. Birmingham Walk of Stars Gil Merrick.jpg 52°28′37″N 1°54′44″W / 52.47683°N 1.91230°W / 52.47683; -1.91230 (Gil Merrick)
12 Ray Graydon September 2009 Footballer Former manager of Walsall F.C. Birmingham Walk of Stars Ray Graydon.jpg 52°28′43″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47848°N 1.90879°W / 52.47848; -1.90879 (Ray Graydon)
13 Julie Walters 27 October 2009 Actress/Comedian Star of Educating Rita & Harry Potter Films Birmingham Walk of Stars Julie Walters.jpg 52°28′28″N 1°54′57″W / 52.47434°N 1.91575°W / 52.47434; -1.91575 (Julie Walters)
14 Gary Newbon 10 December 2009 Television journalism Sports Reporter Birmingham Walk of Stars Gary Newbon.jpg 52°28′42″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47845°N 1.90880°W / 52.47845; -1.90880 (Gary Newbon)
15 Lenny Henry 19 December 2009 Actor/Comedian Presenter of Tiswas Birmingham Walk of Stars Lenny Henry.jpg 52°28′43″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47849°N 1.90879°W / 52.47849; -1.90879 (Lenny Henry)
16 Beverley Knight 20 March 2010 Singer Beverley Knight Broad Street Plaque.JPG 52°28′42″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47846°N 1.90880°W / 52.47846; -1.90880 (Beverley Knight)
17 Joan Armatrading 4 May 2010 Singer Broad Street Joan Armatrading.JPG 52°28′42″N 1°54′35″W / 52.47828°N 1.90970°W / 52.47828; -1.90970 (Joan Armatrading)
18 Chris Tarrant August 2010 Broadcaster Host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Broad Street Chris Tarrant.JPG 52°28′42″N 1°54′33″W / 52.47841°N 1.90921°W / 52.47841; -1.90921 (Chris Tarrant)
19 Birmingham Royal Ballet September 2010 Dance Broad Street Birmingham Royal Ballet.JPG 52°28′42″N 1°54′34″W / 52.47844°N 1.90947°W / 52.47844; -1.90947 (Birmingham Royal Ballet)
20 David Bintley September 2010 Dance Broad Street David Bintley.JPG 52°28′42″N 1°54′34″W / 52.47842°N 1.90955°W / 52.47842; -1.90955 (David Bintley)
21 Roy Wood November 2010 Singer Musician Member of Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard and The Move Broad Street Roy Wood.JPG 52°28′42″N 1°54′37″W / 52.47824°N 1.91024°W / 52.47824; -1.91024 (Roy Wood)
22 Bev Bevan February 2011 Singer Drummer Member of Electric Light Orchestra and The Move Broad Street Bev Bevan.JPG 52°28′41″N 1°54′36″W / 52.47817°N 1.91004°W / 52.47817; -1.91004 (Bev Bevan)
23 Matt Croucher GC 16 June 2011 Lance Corporal Awarded the George Cross in 2008 Broad Street Walk of Stars Matt Croucher GC.JPG
24 Laurie Mansfield 16 June 2011 Theatrical agent Represented Jim Davidson, Ken Dodd, Cannon & Ball, The Krankies, Tommy Steele, Eddie Large and Freddie Starr. Broad Street Walk of Stars Laurie Mansfield.JPG
25 Sir Keith Porter 16 June 2011 Military Surgeon Broad Street Walk of Stars Prof Sir Keith Porter.JPG
26 Nigel Mansell August 2011 Racing driver 1992 Formula One World Champion Broad Street Nigel Mansell.JPG 52°28′41″N 1°54′37″W / 52.47810°N 1.91021°W / 52.47810; -1.91021 (Nigel Mansell)
27 Malkit Singh May 2012 Musician "King of Bhangra" Broad Street Malkit Singh.JPG
28 Harry Moseley August 2012 Fundraising/Charity
29 Jaki Graham October 2012 Singer
30 Ellie Simmonds December 2012 Paralympian Multiple Gold Medal winning swimmer
31 David Harewood July 2013 Actor Actor famous for his role in Homeland Broad Street David Harewood MBE.JPG
32 Jeff Lynne March 2014 Singer/Composer/Musician Member of Electric Light Orchestra and The Move
33 Trevor Francis November 2014 Footballer Professional footballer from Birmingham City F.C.
34 Ian Lavender 22 June 2015 Actor Private Pike in Dad's Army
35 Dennis Amiss 11 February 2016 Cricket Played for England and Warwickshire and was ECB Deputy chairman
36 Ann Haydon-Jones 11 February 2016 Tennis First left handed female Wimbledon winner
37 Toyah Willcox 11 December 2016 Singer Actress
38 Don Maclean 11 December 2016 Comedian Actor
39 Geezer Butler 3 February 2018 Musician Member of Black Sabbath

Nominees

The Walk of Stars website lists other potential nominees on which the public are invited to vote. These include:

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