Wolverhampton’s Famous Sons and Daughters are honoured – VIDEO AND PICTURE GALLERY
They’re the great champions of the city, helping to propel Wolverhampton to new heights thanks to their invaluable contributions across the nation.
Now this six-strong group of community heroes have been recognised for their string of bold feats which have seen them rise to the top of their fields.
Hundreds of well-wishers poured into Molineux Stadium as the well-known faces were celebrated at last night's Famous Sons and Daughters awards.
Those on the roll of honour included Olympic gold-medallist Tessa Sanderson, former Wolves and England footballer Ron Flowers and Marston’s managing director Richard Westwood.
Actress Frances Barber, sports host Jacqui Oatley and critically-acclaimed artist Willard Wigan also received the accolade.
The awards recognise notable Wulfrunians for outstanding achievements across the arts, business, media and sport, who have made significant contributions to the city's reputation.
MNA Group head of weekly titles Diane Davies said: “We are delighted to be involved in this fantastic event, which highlights the great achievements made by some of the finest ambassadors for Wolverhampton and the Black Country.
"There are so many talented and distinguished people from across Wolverhampton who carry a torch for their home city, and we are rightly proud of our famous sons and daughters who come from all walks of life.
"We are delighted to be able to recognise and shout about these local heroes who have helped put Wolverhampton on the map."
The stadium was bursting with civic pride as the waves of guests donned their finest gladrags for the glittering reception and awards ceremony.
Signal 107's Dicky Dodd hosted the celebrations, while world champion cyclist Hugh Porter - one of the first recipients of the awards - quizzed winners after they were handed their prized award.
It was the fourth time celebrities, business leaders and groups from across the Black Country gathered for the Famous Sons and Daughters festivities.
Six-time Olympian and three-time Commonwealth champion Ms Sanderson was the first to receive the accolade from former gymnast Kristian Thomas.
After emigrating to Wolverhampton from Jamaica as a child, she rose to fame as a Team GB javelin thrower and heptathlete.
Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple accepted the accolade on behalf of footballing legend Ron Flowers, who was unable to attend the event.
Mr Flowers made almost 500 appearances for Wolves, winning three league championships and the FA Cup during his 15-year tenure.
The 83-year-old, who has been at the helm of Queen Street shop Ron Flowers Sports for almost 50 years, also won 49 caps for England and was part of the winning squad at the 1966 World Cup.
Marston's Mr Westwood, who was third to honoured with the award, began his career as a label technician at the Wolverhampton & Dudley Brewery more than 40 years ago.
He rose through the ranks as head brewer, playing a pivotal role in the commercial growth of the business in the nineties as he took charge of multiple breweries and the acquisition of Marston's.
Actress Ms Barber, who was born and raised in Wolverhampton, was the next recipient to grace the stage during the awards evening.
She began her stage career in the late seventies and has landed many famed theatre roles - including Lady Macbeth.
The two-time Olivier Award nominee won praise for her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Camille and Antony Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
The actress pushed further into film and television roles during the mid-eighties, with appearances in Poirot, Inspector Morse, Red Dwarf, The IT Crowd and Doctor Who, and also BBC legal drama Silk in recent years.
Sports host Ms Oatley was unable to make the event but mother Sonja Oatley stepped in on her daughter's behalf, collecting the award.
Born in Wolverhampton and raised in Codsall, Ms Oatley became a sports presenter in 2015 and presented ITV’s World Cup coverage in 2018.
She covers football for the BBC, having previously covered women’s football for the broadcaster, and also presents ITV’s darts coverage.
Ms Oatley took to television screens following a successful career in marketing and broadcast journalism.
The former Wolverhampton Grammar School student, who also studied at Brewood's St. Dominic’s School, was made an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours for services to broadcasting and diversity in sport.
The final worthy winner of this year's accolade was Mr Wigan, who has caught the attention of people across the globe with his microscopic art.
Creating sculptures as small as 0.005mm within the eye of a needle, his work has featured at multiple exhibitions, as well as on US programme The Tonight Show.
The Wednesfield artist, who was made an MBE in 2007, was also commissioned to create a replica Coronation Crown as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
In supporting the event, the Express & Star is joining Wolverhampton council, the University of Wolverhampton and other leading organisations working together through Partners In Progress, a business group set up to promote the city.
