Essex Round Up

“Essex girl” is a term used in the United Kingdom, to imply someone is a stereotypically promiscuous, blonde, unintelligent woman from Essex. It was widely used, gaining popularity during the 1980s and 1990s. One reason for the origin of the term may be Essex’s geographical proximity to London. Many Essex residents do come to London by train for a weekend out. It is mirrored in U.S. by the term Jersey girl (or equally useful ‘bridge-and-tunnel-crowd’) with less emphasis on promiscuity. Source: Wikipedia.

Famous Essex girls include…

Denise Van Outen from Basildon (The Big Breakfast thingy)

Victoria Beckham from Harlow (Posh spice, likes to pretend she is from Herts)

Amanda Tapping from Rochford (Stargate)

Alison Moyet from Billericay (some band and then on her own in the 80′s)

Jodie Marsh from Brentwood (Glamour / reality TV)

Kara Tointon from Wickford/Basildon (Eastenders)

Penny Lancaster from Chelmsford (Lingerie Model)

Vikki Michelle from Chigwell (Allo Allo)

Tracy Morter From South Woodham Ferrers, the famous Essex girl who took on Simon Cowell and won

Our most famous Essex blokes are Jamie Oliver and Russel Brand. Dermot O Leary comes from North of the county and Noel Edmonds from Ilford (that explains Mr Blobby eh). Essex also lays claim to Darren Day (that explain a lot )Frank Lampard, Richard Madeley and Keith Flint from the Prodigy and Damon Albarn (we don’t do too bad on the music front do we).

So for all the jokes about Essex girls (like what does an Essex girl use for protection during sex? A bus shelter….) they are actually a glamorous bunch, often well educated and often brunettes. The stereotype doesn’t exist any more,  if it ever did.

This blog celebrates and laughs at the stereotypes and empathises when it all goes wrong for the very public Essex girls and what its like to be a not so famous Essex girl.

Sarah Arrow