Trivia about Watford

History:

Watford is more than 1,000 years old, and dates back to before the Norman conquests.

People:

Reginald Kenneth Dwight (aka Sir Elton Hercules John) was born just down the road in Pinner on 25th March 1947. He was chairman of Watford Football Club between 1976 and 2002. He remains lifelong president.
Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (aka Michael Portillo), ex-politician and journalist was born in Bushey on 26 May 1953.
Simon John Charles Le Bon (aka Simon Le Bon) of Duran Duran fame was born in Bushey on 27 October 1958.
Shirlie Holliman (now Shirlie Kemp since she married Martin Kemp in 1988) from the pop duo Pepsi & Shirlie was born in Watford on 18 April 1962.
Vincent Peter Jones (aka Vinnie Jones), the ex-footballer turned actor/presenter was born in Watford on 5th January 1965.
Geraldine Estelle Halliwell (aka Geri Halliwell or "Ginger Spice") was born in Watford on 6th August 1972.
Terry Scott, comic TV & Film actor was born in Watford on 4th May 1927 (he died aged 67 on 26 July 1994).
Michael Bentine, comedian, actor and member of the Goon Show was born in Watford on 26th January 1922 (he died aged 74 on 26th November 1996).
Cyril Trevellian Fletcher, TV & radio presenter was born in Watford on 25th June 1913 (he died aged 91 on 1st January 2005).
Marjorie Mowlam (aka "Mo" Mowlam) was born in Watford on 18th September 1949 (she died aged 55 on 19 August 2005).

Places:

Watford has been twinned with five towns around the world:
- (1956) Mainz - Germany
- (1960) Nanterre - France
- (1984) Novgorod - Russia
- (1985) Wilmington - USA
- (1988) Pesaro - Italy
Watford is a favourite location shoot, both for TV shows and in the movies, and has been used (at least briefly) in:
- (1967) [ABC] The Avengers - "The Positive Negative Man"
- (1969) [ABC] The Avengers - "Homicide and Old Lace"
- (1971) [ATV] UFO - "Confetti Check"
- (1979) [BBC] Tropic (filmed in Carpenders Park)
- (1983) [Universal] Monty Python's The Meaning Of Life (the sex education scene was filmed at the International University in Bushey).
- (1993) [BBC] Our Friends In The North
- (1995) [BBC] The Thin Blue Line s1e4 "Rag Week" (the old NatWest bank in The Parade almost opposite Burger King was used as the scene for the bank robbery).
- (2002) [BBC] EastEnders (the exterior of the court room for Little Mo's trial was filmed outside Watford Town Hall).
- (2005) [BBC] Little Britain
- (2006) [Fox] The History Boys (shot on location at Watford Boys Grammar School and Watford Girls Grammar School)
Leavesden Studios in Watford is where many famous films were made, including:
- (1995) Goldeneye
- (1996) Mortal Kombat II: Annihilation
- (1997) Titanic (preproduction)
- (1999) An Ideal Husband
- (1999) Sleepy Hollow
- (1999) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
- (2000) The Beach
- (2001) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- (2001) The War Bride
- (2002) Die Another Day
- (2002) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- (2002) Star Wars: Episode II - The Attack of the Clones
- (2004) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- (2005) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- (2007) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

NOTE:
If you have any trivia about Watford that you'd like to see on this page, send it in using the contact form. If we can verify the information, we'll add it to the page. If you want us to include your name, please let us know.