Vicky McClure - From having to turn down a place at performing arts school to Line of Duty and MBE

Line of Duty star Vicky McClure still lives in Wollaton with her husband Jonny Owen

Nottingham's own Vicky McClure is widely regarded as one of the best actresses in the country. Hailing from Wollaton, she has featured in hit BBC drama Line of Duty and 2006 British film and subsequent TV series This Is England.

She was awarded an MBE in June, which she received earlier this month. King Charles presented her with the award at Windsor Castle for services to drama and charity.

The 40-year-old, most recently known for playing DI Kate Fleming in the BBC crime drama, has enjoyed a glistening career in TV and showbusiness to date. Vicky rose to prominence playing the cool and easy-going Lol Jenkins in the 2006 film This Is England and its subsequent TV follow-up series.

She was nominated for a Bafta Television award for best supporting actress in 2015, and a National Television Award for drama performance in 2021. She also has a tram named after her in her home city.

But who is Vicky McClure and how did she find fame? We take a look at her life.

Where is Vicky McClure from?

Vicky is from Wollaton and she is extremely proud of her roots. She shared an emotional video of her celebrating Notts County's play-off win back in May.

The video, posted on Twitter, showed the actress screaming with joy after the team won. As the winning penalty was scored she clapped her hands in glee, shouting: "Yessssss! Come on you Pies!"

What family does Vicky McClure have?

Her father Mick was a joiner and her mother Carol was a hairdresser. She also has an elder sister, Jenny.

Vicky went to Fernwood School before successfully auditioning for entry to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts aged 16, but her family could not afford the tuition fees, and she remained at the Central Junior Television Workshop

Is Vicky McClure married?

Vicky married long-term partner Jonny Owen, a Welsh film director in August 2023. The couple tied the knot at the Council House in Old Market Square.

How old is Vicky McClure?

Vicky was born on May 8, 1983. That makes her 40 years old.

What has Vicky McClure been in?

Vicky is perhaps best known for her roles as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in Line of Duty and Lol Jenkins in Shane Meadows' This Is England. She also starred in A Room for Romeo Brass in 1999, where she played Ladine.

People will also know her for role as Karen White in ITV's Broadmarsh as well as Filth and Wisdom, Hummingbird, Svengali, The Replacement and Trigger Point.

What awards has Vicky McClure been given?

Aside from her MBE, Vicky has also won a number of awards and been recognised for her work. She won the RTS Award and British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Lol in This is England '86 in 2011.

She had a tram named after her in 2015 before being ordered off it after being accused of fare evasion. In 2022, she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Nottingham for her work with Our Dementia Choir, including a TV documentary.

Vicky also won the Best Actress award at the TV Choice Awards in 2021 and Favourite Actress at the TV Times awards in the same year.

Why did she set up the Our Dementia Choir?

Vicky formed Our Dementia Choir after her late grandmother Iris had the condition. She said it taught her the healing power of music and she went on to work on a TV documentary to raise awareness of the disease.

The show ended with a performance in front of 2,000 people at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall. The choir also performed with Tom Grennan at the Splendour Festival in 2022 and 2023.

Where does Vicky McClure live now?

Vicky still lives in Wollaton with husband Jonny. She often provides glimpses of life with Jonny inside their house – including her BAFTA trophy on a shelf in the living room - on social media.

In an interview with The Guardian, she said about Nottingham: “It’s just the best city, innit?” And responding to why interviewers are sometimes shocked that she doesn’t live in the capital, she said: “Oh my God, it’s as if I’m living on the moon.

“It makes me laugh that it’s such a big deal. I find it more extreme that Martin Compston lives in Las Vegas.

“I live in my home town [and] I think people think, ‘Ooh, she’s doing it for effect’.”