This is a list of people from Ashford in South East England. It may include people from the town of Ashford and the wider Borough of Ashford, in Kent.Alexander Arnold, actor, plays character Richard Hardbeck on Skins; born in Ashford Bob Astles (1924–2012), former associate of Ugandan presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin; born in Ashford Alfred Austin (1835–1913), poet, appointed Poet Laureate in 1896; died in Ashford Alex Brooker, comedian, journalist and co-host of The Last Leg; lived in Ashford. Ben Brown, journalist and news presenter; born in Ashford Craig Buckham, cricketer Patsy Byrne (1933–2014), actress, known for playing Nursie in the BBC sitcom Blackadder II; born in Ashford Roger Dean, artist featured on the album covers of the band Yes; born in Ashford Lisa Dobriskey, won the Commonwealth Gold 1500m athletics event in 2006; born in Ashford Josh Doyle, guitarist, singer and founder of hitmakers the Dumdums; currently a solo artist working out of Nashville Tennessee; born in the area Sir John Fogge (c.1417–1490) He built and endowed the church at Ashford, Kent as well as the College at Ashford. He was buried in the church, where he is also commemorated in a memorial window Frederick Forsyth (1938–2025), author and occasional political commentator, known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Dogs of War, The Odessa File, Icon and The Fist of God; born in Ashford Barry Fuller, professional football player; born in Ashford John Fuller, poet and author; Fellow Emeritus at Magdalen College, Oxford; born in Ashford Stephen Hills (1771–1844), architect, designed the original Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg; born in Ashford Bob Holness, (1928–2012), television presenter; born in Ashford, attended Norton Knatchbull Grammar School Richard Huckle (1986–2019), convicted sex offender; dubbed "Britain's worst paedophile"; born in Ashford Sir Sydney Nicholson (1875–1947), choir director, organist and composer; founder of the Royal School of Church Music; died in Ashford Dudley Pope (1925–1997), writer; born in Ashford William Pomfret (1823-1902), Conservative politician, magistrate and MP for Ashford Vic Reeves, comedian, actor, television presenter; lives in the area Neil Ruddock professional footballer played for Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Liverpool and other clubs; born in Ashford, attended Norton Knatchbull Grammar School Mark Rylance, actor and theatre director; born in Ashford Sir Malcolm Sargent (1895–1967), conductor, organist and composer; born in Ashford Gerald Sithole, professional footballer played for Gillingham and Bolton Wanderers, born in Ashford. Jamie Staff, BMX cycling world champion; track cycling Commonwealth Games and world championship gold medalist; born in Ashford Oli Sykes, vocalist for alternative metal band Bring Me the Horizon; born in Ashford Eric Thiman (1900–1975), English composer James Tredwell, Kent and England One Day International cricketer; born in the area Tom Varndell, professional rugby union player; born in Ashford Dr John Wallis, (1616–1703), internationally recognised as one of the greatest mathematicians, credited by Sir Isaac Newton as being the founder of his theory of gravity; born in Ashford Simone Weil (1909–1943), French philosopher and mystic, died in Grosvenor Sanatorium and is buried in the town's Bybrook Cemetery John Wells (1936–1998), actor, writer and satirist; began his television career as a writer on That Was The Week That Was; born in Ashford