The Essex hospital where a member of the Spice Girls was born

Essex is home to many celebrities who have all had their early starts in our great county. Because of our celebrity links, even some of our most everyday buildings have a claim to fame.

That is certainly true for one hospital in Essex that was literally where it all started for one of the members of the biggest girl band of all time. Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow is where icon Victoria Beckham, also known as Posh Spice, was born.

Victoria Beckham was born in the Essex town, with her family then living just over the border in Goffs Oak in Hertfordshire where she was raised. Her family later moved back to Essex too.

Victoria hasn't always spoken that highly of our county, once causing some controversy with a comment made at a fashion event in New York after being introduced as being from Essex. She reportedly said: "I'd like to forget the Essex bit. It's not a very nice place."

After being met by criticism from The Only Way is Essex stars who called her a 'local girl done good', saying she should be proud of her roots, Victoria responded showing the comment was just a joke. She posted an image of a pink badge with the slogan 'Essex girl and proud of it' on her Instagram.

We are certainly proud that Victoria's an Essex girl as she's had a very impressive career ranging from international music success to building a huge beauty and fashion brand. She will definitely always be welcome here.

The hospital itself first opened in 1958 and has undergone many expansions over the years. It was also confirmed this year that a new 'state-of-the-art' Princess Alexandra Hospital will be open in the town by 2030.

The Spice Girls link isn't the end of the hospital's involvement in fame though as it has also been immortalised in a classic movie. And it wasn't just any movie, it was Stanley Kubrick's iconic A Clockwork Orange.

The dystopian 1971 film features a scene shot in the Harlow hospital. The scene appears at the end of the film when Alex is treated in a hospital.

References

1. ^{^} The Chelmsford brunch restaurant dubbed 'the best place to eat in Essex' (www.essexlive.news)