However along with the names you might expect – such as Sir Ian McKellen, who spent much of his childhood in Wigan – there are others that are more surprising, including a pre-fame and very different looking Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Here we take a look back at the sports stars, actors, musicians and royalty who have graced Wiganers with their presence, some on more than one occasion as pictures from our archives show.
9. A proper Charlie
Black and White movie star Charlie Chaplin performed at the Wigan Hippodrome with Fred Karno's Company of Comedians in around 1911. Photo: Charles Morris
10. Football genius
Arguably the world's greatest-ever footballer Pele popped to Wigan to help officially open the new JJB headquarters at Martland Park. The visit was top secret for fear of large crowds gathering. I mean it's not every day Pele rocks up, is it? Photo: NW
11. Depp ahoy!
Pirates Of The Caribbean star Johnny Depp is reported to have made a secret visit to Wigan after it was announced that he was considering playing home-grown entertainer George Formby in a biopic. The film was never made, but the rumours persist. Photo: submit
12. No ordinary Joe
Brassic and This Is England star Joseph Gilgun bobbed into town to take on some youngsters at Shevington Library as part of a Nintendo Wii challenge in 2008. He lost. Photo: NW