One woman became emotional as she spoke about John Lennon’s profound legacy in Liverpool
04:00, 26 Feb 2026
Suzanna McCauley was emotional as she spoke about her pride of The Beatles and football players(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
The people of Liverpool have a reputation for “getting behind their own.” The city has always supported its local talent, taking immense pride in home-grown celebrities across music, sport, acting and beyond.
Local stars will never be forgotten by those living in Liverpool, with statues and murals being created all the time. While the careers of many celebrities may take them away from the city, their bond with the region will always last as people keep them in high regard and continue to champion them.
The ECHO spoke to people in Liverpool city centre and asked them one question: “Who is your favourite person to come from Liverpool?”
As expected, many people immediately spoke about their love for The Beatles and how important the Fab Four are to the city. The legacy of the band continues to grow, with Liverpool’s status as one of the most visited cities in the world firmly established. Some people spoke about local figures who have made significant political differences and others were influenced by their childhood and who their parents loved.
Michael Joyce, 81, who lives near Liverpool city centre, said: “Ken Dodd, he made everyone happy, smiling and telling jokes. We could do with that in this world, the way it is at the moment. Gerry Marsden is another one, he kept Liverpool going with his songs.”
Lynn Beddoe, 73, spoke about her love for the late Ken Dodd(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Known to many as “Doddy”, the late comedian was also master of the one-liner and a successful singer. He worked his beloved Knotty Ash into his routines, telling stories about the Diddymen and the jam-butty mines.
He was given the the Freedom of the City of Liverpool in 2001 and became Sir Ken when he was made a Knight in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list. Sir Ken died, aged 90, on March 11, 2018, with his wife, Lady Anne at his bedside.
Lynn Beddoe, 73, who lives in Wales but visits Liverpool as her husband is from the city, expressed her love for Sir Ken: “I did like The Beatles but for me, Ken Dodd. Ken was funny, he wasn’t rude or crude. He did a lot for the city, he did an awful lot, particularly for the Cathedral. I love people that make me laugh.”
Martin Halliday, 60, is from Cheshire but has family in Liverpool, he spoke about memories from his youth, he said: “I think Cilla Black, she is synonymous with Liverpool and everyone who knew her and was around her should be very proud.
“My mum was a Cilla fan, she looked a little bit like her, she had red hair. My mum would play all of Cilla’s songs in the back of the car when I was a kid. I have good memories, Cilla is the best person from Liverpool, all day long. I go past her statue on Mathew Street every day when I go to work.”
Martin Halliday spoke about his love for Cilla Black(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
People of all generations rejoiced in their admiration for The Beatles, Chloe Hill, 23, from Dingle, has a soft spot for George Harrison. She said: “My favourite celebrity from Liverpool is George Harrison. He was the best Beatle and he had the best songs.
“I think being from Liverpool, you get raised on The Beatles. It’s similar to when a person is born and they grow up to support a football team, we get The Beatles.
“George has a special place in my heart. I love The Beatles. I love George’s solo song ‘Give Me Love’, and I still love Paul, but for me it has to be George.”
Suzanne McCaulay, 61, from Woolton, became tearful as she reflected on some of Liverpool’s greats. She said: “Probably the Beatles and maybe of the Beatles, John Lennon. It is really hard to pick because all four of them are absolutely phenomenal but probably John.
“Him [John] and Paul are both absolute musical geniuses but I think when they went solo, John’s music spoke to me a little bit more. George was incredible and Ringo too.
“I have always been a fan of The Beatles, hasn’t everybody? What I like is when you go abroad and say “I am from Liverpool” everybody says ‘oh The Beatles’, I have just returned from Egypt and people kept talking to me about Mo Salah. Even though he [Salah] is not from Liverpool I think we embrace all of the footballers, both Liverpool and Everton, as part of the family of the city as well.”
Suzanna McCauley was emotional as she spoke about her pride of The Beatles and football players(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
Speaking about the lasting legacy of John and his bandmates, Suzanne said: “I think it is a testament to the music, I really do. You see visitors coming from all over the world.”
Other people in the industry who helped to form Liverpool’s global status as a music powerhouse were also spoken highly of. David Gill, 70, originally from Everton but now living in Walton, said: “Brian Epstein who managed The Beatles is up there, Gerry and the Pacemakers are another on the musical side.
“Ken Dodd was a good ambassador for Liverpool but I would say Bessie Braddock, she did a lot for charities and fighting for the cause of Liverpool. She is my favourite person from Liverpool, from welfare to everything else, she stood up for women over the years. She was a fantastic ambassador for the city.”
Bessie Braddock was MP for Liverpool Exchange from 1945-70. She was an outspoken campaigner for better health, housing and education for the poor. She rejected a ministerial post because, like her husband Council Leader Jack Braddock, she preferred to remain locally-focused and be an advocate for her home city.
She was known as ‘Battling Bessie’ and was admired locally and nationally. Bessie’s achievements included serving on the Labour Party’s national executive committee as a member and, in 1968, as Vice Chairman.
Brian Roberts, 68, from Wallasey said: “Definitely Steven Gerrard, he was just such a great football player. He has a big legacy and is still doing well. There are loads of Liverpool players, even from years before.”
Savanna Korrup, 53, said: “Paul McCartney. He is someone that has brought things back into the city through LIPA and similar things like that. He has never been ashamed to be from Liverpool and has never denied himself or his accent. I think he has brought a lot of good into the city.
Savanna Korrup and son Thomas are fans of Paul McCartney(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
“I know its an obvious thing to think of The Beatles but they did do a lot for the city, Paul is my favourite Beatle and my mum’s favourite is George Harrison. There’s something about Paul, he was a bit of a troublemaker. He is still going and he comes back to the city.
“Some people move away and that’s it, they never come back. Sometimes people lose their accents. I think a lot of people still think of The Beatles, the Cavern Club is still there and the music continues. Some band members are still performing. Paul still comes and does gigs here.” Savanna’s son Thomas, 11, agreed with Paul McCartney being Liverpool’s greatest product as he shared the love for the music legend his mum has.
The Liverpool ECHO asked its readers to name the best Scouser ever in a poll in 2022. John Lennon came out on top, followed closely by Sir Paul McCartney and legendary comedian Ken Dodd. Others who received many votes included Steven Gerrard and Cilla Black.
Whoever your favourite person from Liverpool is, there is no denying that we are blessed as a city with some fantastic characters, both past and present. So many people have left their mark on the world after humble beginnings in Liverpool.
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‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.liverpoolecho.co.uk ’
