Birmingham Walk of Stars

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 organized 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.[1][2][3]

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.[4][5] 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.[6]

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.[7]

On 7 October 2008, the BBC announced that Julie Walters would be inducted.[8] The following month founder member of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi was inducted.[9]

On 26 March 2009, it was announced that each of five local football clubs (Aston Villa,[10] 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.[11]

Stars honoured

Number Recipient Induction date Profession Comments Location
1 Ozzy Osbourne 6 July 2007 Musician Member of Black Sabbath 52°28′40″N 1°54′40″W / 52.47786°N 1.91099°W
2 Jasper Carrott 15 September 2007 Comedian Presenter of Goldenballs 52°28′31″N 1°54′51″W / 52.47539°N 1.91416°W
3 Noddy Holder 9 December 2007 Musician Member of Slade 52°28′37″N 1°54′43″W / 52.47706°N 1.91200°WCoordinates: 52°28′37″N 1°54′43″W / 52.47706°N 1.91200°W
4 Murray Walker 28 June 2008 Sports commentator BBC/ITV Formula One coverage 52°28′42″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47847°N 1.90880°W
5 The Archers 12 September 2008 Soap opera Long-running BBC Radio 4 serial 52°28′42″N 1°54′35″W / 52.47825°N 1.90978°W
6 Norman Painting 12 September 2008 Radio actor Voice of Phil Archer in The Archers 52°28′42″N 1°54′35″W / 52.47822°N 1.90985°W
7 Tony Iommi 23 November 2008 Musician Member of Black Sabbath 52°28′42″N 1°54′36″W / 52.47827°N 1.91012°W
8 Aston Villa F.C. 1982 Team 4 May 2009 Football team 1982 European Cup-winning team 52°28′41″N 1°54′38″W / 52.47810°N 1.91054°W
9 Tony 'Bomber' Brown 17 May 2009 Footballer Professional footballer from West Bromwich Albion F.C.52°28′39″N 1°54′42″W / 52.47739°N 1.91158°W
10 Frank Skinner 1 August 2009 Comedian Co-Host of Fantasy Football League 52°28′38″N 1°54′41″W / 52.47727°N 1.91132°W
11 Gil Merrick September 2009 Footballer Professional footballer from Birmingham City F.C. 52°28′37″N 1°54′44″W / 52.47683°N 1.91230°W
12 Ray Graydon September 2009 Footballer Former manager of Walsall F.C.52°28′43″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47848°N 1.90879°W
13 Julie Walters 27 October 2009 Actress/comedienne Star of Educating Rita & Harry Potter Films 52°28′28″N 1°54′57″W / 52.47434°N 1.91575°W
14 Gary Newbon 10 December 2009 News Reporter Central News sports Reporter52°28′42″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47845°N 1.90880°W
15 Lenny Henry 19 December 2009 Comedian Presenter of Tiswas52°28′43″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47849°N 1.90879°W
16 Beverley Knight 20 March 2010 Singer 52°28′42″N 1°54′32″W / 52.47846°N 1.90880°W
17 Joan Armatrading 4 May 2010 Singer 52°28′42″N 1°54′35″W / 52.47828°N 1.90970°W
18 Chris Tarrant August 2010 Broadcaster Host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire52°28′42″N 1°54′33″W / 52.47841°N 1.90921°W
19 Birmingham Royal Ballet September 2010 Dance 52°28′42″N 1°54′34″W / 52.47844°N 1.90947°W
20 David Bintley September 2010 Dance 52°28′42″N 1°54′34″W / 52.47842°N 1.90955°W
21 Roy Wood November 2010 Singer Musician Member of Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard and The Move 52°28′42″N 1°54′37″W / 52.47824°N 1.91024°W
22 Bev Bevan February 2011 Singer Drummer Member of Electric Light Orchestra and The Move 52°28′41″N 1°54′36″W / 52.47817°N 1.91004°W
23 Nigel Mansell August 2011 Racing driver 52°28′41″N 1°54′37″W / 52.47810°N 1.91021°W
24 Malkit Singh May 2012 Musician 'King of Bhangra'
25 Harry Moseley August 2012 Charity Fundraiser
26 Ellie Simmonds December 2012 Paralympian Multiple Gold Medal winning swimmer
27 David Harewood July 2013 Actor Actor famous for his role in Homeland
28 Jeff Lynne 2014 Singer Musician Member of Electric Light Orchestra and The Move

Nominees

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

See also

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Birmingham Walk of Stars.