Dead or alive, famous or not, we want to know who you think are the people who have helped make Trafford great.

We have put together our top 20 below, in no particular order, but we are also looking for nominations for unsung heroes in the area who deserve some recognition.

Vote for your favourite by clicking on the link below and let us know what you think of our list.

  1. The very funny and now very famous 'Idiot Abroad', Karl Pilkington, 41, was brought up on a council estate in Sale.

Messenger Newspapers: KARL PILKINGTON (HC) 50K0639.jpg

2. The author of Hundred and One Dalmatians, Dodie Smith, grew up in Old Trafford. There is a blue plaque on her childhood home at 609 Stretford Road.

Messenger Newspapers: Our list of top 20 famous people from Trafford

3. Former Smiths frontman Morrissey was born in Davyhulme and grew up in Stretford.

Messenger Newspapers: Morrissey

4. Benny Rothman is most famous for his leading role in the Mass trespass of Kinder Scout in 1932. A blue plaque was erected at his former Timperley home, where he lived for 58 years.

Messenger Newspapers: The blue plaque

5. Coronation Street's Sally Dynevor lives in Trafford with her husband Tim and three children.

Messenger Newspapers: Sally Dynevor at the Trafford Centre

6. Staying on the Corrie theme, Michael le Vell (aka Kevin Webster) lives in Hale and has recently returned to the cobbles.

Messenger Newspapers: Michael Le Vell

7. Ronald Gow was an English dramatist, best known for Love on the Dole. He went to Altrincham County High School and later returned to his old school as a teacher.

8. Former Manchester United star Bryan Robson lives in Trafford.Messenger Newspapers: Bryan Robson.

9. The legendary Frank Sidebottom was the stage name of Chris Sievey, creator of the papier mâché-headed character from Timperley. Frank's statue stands in the heart of the village and he has also inspired a movie, due to be released next month.

Messenger Newspapers: Popular - Frank Sidebottom

10. Born in Old Trafford, Ian Curtis is best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the post-punk band Joy Division. He committed suicide on 18 May 1980, on the eve of Joy Division's first North American tour.

Messenger Newspapers: Culcheth photographer Martin O'Neill, top, with his new book Don't Miss This and, above, an iconic picture of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis taken by Martin at Bowdon Vale Youth Club in 1979 	MBA290508

11.Bill Speakman (pictured, centre, below) was born and raised in Altrincham. He is a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Messenger Newspapers: (l to r) Tony Parkes from AJ Parkes, Bill Speakman and Frank Fallows, national overseas coordinator for the Korean Veterans Association

12. Helen Allingham was an English watercolour painter and illustrator of the Victorian era. She and her family moved to Altrincham when she a year old.

Messenger Newspapers: Our list of top 20 famous people from Trafford

13. Actor Norman Rossington is best remembered for his roles in The Army Game, the Carry On films and the Beatles film A Hard Day's Night. Norman spent many of his last years living in a small terraced house in Hale and was seen as a local character who would cycle around the village daily and regale everyone he met with his many tales of his career.

Messenger Newspapers: James Joule

14. Robert Bolt was a playwright and a two-time Oscar-winning screenwriter, known for writing Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago and A Man for All Seasons. He was born in Sale.

Messenger Newspapers: Michael Le Vell

15. Professional footballer Phil Jagielka plays for and captains Everton Football Club. He first impressed youth scouts as a child while playing for his local team Hale Barns United in Altrincham.

Messenger Newspapers: Phil Jagielka

16. Ian Brown is best known as the lead singer of The Stone Roses. He and his family moved to moved to Timperley when he was five years old. He was educated at Park Road County Primary Infant and Junior School and then Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

Messenger Newspapers: Ian Brown returns to Leeds in December

17. James Joule was an English physicist and brewer. His name is known by everyone who has ever studied science at school. He lived and worked in Sale.

Messenger Newspapers: Our list of top 20 famous people from Trafford

18. Musician Kid Creole, aka August Darnell, may have originated in the Bronx, but did you know he used to live in Urmston? He now lives in Sweden and London, and still tours with the current Coconuts. 

Messenger Newspapers: Kid Creole

19. Noel White is one of the founding architects of The Premier League and is Life Vice President of the FA. He is from Altrincham and first came to football prominence when he and Peter Swales took over Altrincham Football Club in February 1961.

Messenger Newspapers: Noel White, life vice-president at the FA, with the 100-year-old map he found in his Bowdon home

20. OK, so we all know football manager Roy Keane is Irish really, but he has lived in Bowdon and Hale for many years with his wife and five children.

Messenger Newspapers: Roy Keane (c)

 

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