Celebrities in the area
P. J. Harvey
Polly, the well known singer / songwriter 'Rock Chick', lives on West Cliff in West Bay. She has been prominent since the early 1990's, releasing a number of CD's, currently recording on the Island label. P.J. Harvey is a quiet person by nature, but rejects the notion that her songs are an autobiography of her life. She is the first music artist to be awarded the Mercury Prize (album of the year) twice, initially in 2001 then ten years later in 2011.
Martin Clunes
Martin Clunes had lived in Powerstock, but has since moved to a small farm on the outskirts of Beaminster. Friendly off-screen and originally becoming known in the 1990's sit-com, 'Men Behaving Badly', he has more recently appeared as 'Doc Martin' in the Cornwall based series, completely at odds with his natural character.
Mark Hix
Mark grew up in the West Bay and Bridport area, attending Sir John Colfox school before moving on to Weymouth College. At this time he had the fortune of being able to exercise his culinary skills at the Bridport Arms. Later, he moved to London, spending 17 years as chef director for Caprice Holdings, a company owning many of London's top restaurants, including 'The Ivy'. In 2006, it was rumoured that he was in talks with Arthur Watson to buy West Bay's Riverside Restaurant. However, Mark Hix has recently purchased a seafood restaurant in Lyme Regis. Mark is the son of the late Ernie Hix, who organised the annual RNLI Raft Race at West Bay, but sadly died on 5th August 2006.
Fiona Richmond
Fiona was born, Julia Harrison, the daughter of a local vicar and attended a school in Toller Porcorum (closed in the 1980's), completing her senior education at Sir John Colfox school. Fiona was a well known 'soft porn' star in the late 1960's / early 1970's. She was believed to have owned an apartment in or around Chesil House in West Bay. Her bright yellow 'E Type' Jaguar with the registration 'FU 2' was often seen in the area.
David Martin
David spent his retirement years in the West Bay area, sadly passing away in April 2007. He was a TV scriptwriter and author. His breakthrough came in the 1960's, scriptwriting for the TV police series of 'Z Cars'. During the 1970's, David was heavily involved in the BBC 'Doctor Who' series and co-invented the famous robot dog, 'K 9'.
Keith Floyd
Keith was the original flamboyant TV celebrity chef in the 1980's. Some of his first TV series was filmed in the West Bay and Bridport areas, using the kitchens of 'The George' in South Street, Bridport and was a frequent visitor to the Riverside. Keith Floyd sadly died in Bridport on 14th September 2009 while settling down to watch a TV documentary of himself on Channel 4. He had been staying with long term friend Celia Martin, widow of David Martin (see above) at the time of his death.
Billy Bragg
Born, Stephen William Bragg, Billy now lives in Burton Bradstock. Probably best known for his punk and political music, in the mid 1980's Billy Bragg wrote the song: 'A New England', sung by the late Kirsty MacColl.
Fiona Phillips
Fiona purchased a cottage in Seatown a few years ago, but more recently has bought a cottage in Burton Bradstock through auction. Since 1997, she has been a presenter on the early morning 'GMTV' show, retiring in December 2008.
