Stars of stage, screen, sport and singing have been produced by the city, ensuring Leeds has representation across the globe. Many were already showing promise in childhood and early adulthood before going on to succeed in their field.
The Yorkshire Evening Post has had a digital rummage through old archives to reflect upon what Leeds celebrities looked like when they were younger.
![Now a decorated footballer aged 37, James Milner was a 16-year-old prodigy at Leeds United when this picture was taken in 2002.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU0MWYxOTYzLTgxMWEtNGM3NS1iMjA2LTE2ZGRhNDVhZmMwYzoxZDM2ZjkzZS1kNDM2LTQ5ZDEtOTZmZi01ZWVmMzhjZjIyOWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
7. James Milner
Now a decorated footballer aged 37, James Milner was a 16-year-old prodigy at Leeds United when this picture was taken in 2002.Photo: James Hardisty
![Leeds boxer Josh Warrington, now 32, was 23 when he defeated Rendall Munroe in Manchester in 2014.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc4ODIwMzliLTdlMGMtNDY1NS04MzM2LWVjMmZlODU2ZTM4MDoxY2FkNTI2Mi01NTE4LTRmNDItOTZlMy0xYzUwYWIxYmI4ZTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
8. Josh Warrington
Leeds boxer Josh Warrington, now 32, was 23 when he defeated Rendall Munroe in Manchester in 2014.Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
![Triathlete Alistair Brownlee, now 34, was 18 when this picture was taken and had just been named in the Team GB Triathlon squad for the 2008 Olympics.](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmM2NDUxYTlhLTFmMmEtNDUyMi1iNTdkLWQ3ODEyZDhlNzE0Mjo4OTRhYTc3OS0zYTU2LTQ2OWMtOTIxMy0zYWEyMDVlODQyZTM=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Alistair Brownlee
Triathlete Alistair Brownlee, now 34, was 18 when this picture was taken and had just been named in the Team GB Triathlon squad for the 2008 Olympics.Photo: John Gichigi/Getty Images