Notable Gypsies
David Essex
David Essex was born in London in 1947 and is the grandson of Irish travellers. This English actor and singer was one of England’s top performers in the 1970s.
Starring in the original cast of ‘Godspell’ in 1977 this person went on to have big hits with ‘Rock on’ and ‘Gonna make you a star’ and their own TV series in 1977. They appeared in a major box office success ‘That’ll be the Day’ with Ringo Starr.
Openly proud of their Traveller roots, whilst living in Britain this person was a patron and an active member of Britain’s National Gypsy Council and was awarded an OBE for their charity and arts work in 1999.
Starring in the original cast of ‘Godspell’ in 1977 this person went on to have big hits with ‘Rock on’ and ‘Gonna make you a star’ and their own TV series in 1977. They appeared in a major box office success ‘That’ll be the Day’ with Ringo Starr.
Openly proud of their Traveller roots, whilst living in Britain this person was a patron and an active member of Britain’s National Gypsy Council and was awarded an OBE for their charity and arts work in 1999.
Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood was born into a family of Boat People, in 1947 in London. This person was the first in their family to be born on dry land; their parents were born on barges in the Paddington basin of West London.
This person started their career as a musician in 1964 as a guitarist with ‘The Byrds’. They joined ‘The Rolling Stones’ as a guitarist in 1974, along with band members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. ‘The Rolling Stones’ made 22 studio albums and have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. This person is still playing with ‘The Rolling Stones’ along with their own band.
This person started their career as a musician in 1964 as a guitarist with ‘The Byrds’. They joined ‘The Rolling Stones’ as a guitarist in 1974, along with band members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. ‘The Rolling Stones’ made 22 studio albums and have sold more than 200 million albums worldwide. This person is still playing with ‘The Rolling Stones’ along with their own band.
Louise Doughty
Louise Doughty born in Melton Mowbray in 1963 with Romani ancestry.
This English novelist, playwright, critic and broadcaster has written five novels, one work of non-fiction and five radio plays. The novel ‘Stone Cradle’ is a moving love story which portrays life as a Traveller and ‘Fires in the dark’, set in central Europe during the second world war, explores Romany life and the author’s own Romany family history.
This English novelist, playwright, critic and broadcaster has written five novels, one work of non-fiction and five radio plays. The novel ‘Stone Cradle’ is a moving love story which portrays life as a Traveller and ‘Fires in the dark’, set in central Europe during the second world war, explores Romany life and the author’s own Romany family history.
Raby Howell
Raby Howell was a Romani, born in a caravan in Wincobank, Sheffield in 1869.
This Romani professional footballer was highly skilled despite being small in size. They played for Sheffield United and won a Championship medal then joined Liverpool FC in 1898 for £200. During their career they won 2 international caps for England and are believed to be the only true Romany to have played for England. This person’s footballing career was ended by a broken leg whilst playing for Preston North End in 1903.
This Romani professional footballer was highly skilled despite being small in size. They played for Sheffield United and won a Championship medal then joined Liverpool FC in 1898 for £200. During their career they won 2 international caps for England and are believed to be the only true Romany to have played for England. This person’s footballing career was ended by a broken leg whilst playing for Preston North End in 1903.