This is something that even northerners can find confusing, so for a southerner this can be a nightmare. Widely regarded as one of the most prolific and influential British comedians of all-time, he became famous for his theatrical sketch as a jocular schoolmaster, known as Dr. Muffin. From 1934 to 1943, he was a prolific film star in Britain and was ranked the third highest grossing star at the British Box Office in 1938, behind George Formby and Gracie Fields. Paddy McAloon One of the greatest scientists and engineers this country has ever produced, in 1889 he founded CA Parsons & Co at Heaton, Newcastle, responsible in 1890 for the Forth Banks power station, the first turbo generating plant in the world. Northern services call at over 500 stations (approximately 20% of all UK railway stations), of which we manage 479.

and phrases only true northerners will understand 19 words and phrases only true northerners will understand

I just love pies and southerners don't get it." – Richard, Manchester Why do you love gravy so much? One of the ‘Pitmen Painters’, he was a member of the same sketching group in Spennymoor as another miner-artist, Norman Cornish. Tom started to paint seriously in 1948, and in 1949, the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead bought his drawing Miner and Child. While his reputation as an artist grew, he was made redundant in 1983. Andrea Wonfor To be fair the UK as a whole isn’t exactly known for it’s glorious weather, but up in the north the weather can actually be much harsher. This may seem like a silly thing to get irritated by because wrapping up in cold weather or on nights out actually makes total sense.One thing that proper annoys me is when some people think Birmingham, and other places near that, are northern." – Richard, Manchester Northerners understand that sometimes there’s nothing better than a roast dinner drowning in gravy and the classic ‘chips and gravy’ combination is basically considered a delicacy. 6. Southerners are all ‘soft’ The daughter of a miner, Gina is a hugely talented stage, screen and TV actress who won a BAFTA award for her role as Mary Soulsby in the iconic series Our Friends in the North. She has remained in great demand ever since, her versatility revealed in her CV with appearances in the likes of satirical programme Brass Eye, the film Notting Hill and telly dramas like The Bodyguard and Line of Duty. Andrea Riseborough Living costs up north are actually affordable and the standard of living is just as good, if not better. One of Hollywood’s top directors, he has made a series of hugely influential and acclaimed movies which are also box office gold, like Alien, Thelma and Louise, Blade Runner and Gladiator. He also directed many TV ads including the famous Hovis advert in which a bread delivery lad pushes his bike up a steep, cobbled hill to the strains of Dvorak’s New World Symphony. It was once voted Britain’s favourite ever TV ad. Basil Hume

things northerners do that make southerners want - Metro 10 things northerners do that make southerners want - Metro

A prolific and brilliant writer, his work spanned 60 years and graced the stage and the TV. There was always a moral and working-class sensibility to his output – and a hint of the surreal at times – which made him stand out at a time when the country was blessed with great TV writers. But, northerners, stop using the whole ‘bath doesn’t have an ‘r’ in it’ excuse when the town of Marske in North Yorkshire DOES have an ‘r’ in it, and yet you still pronounce it the northern way. The north is home to some of the best countryside landscapes in the world and has thriving cities such as Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. Born Miriam Stern, she rose to prominence during the 1970s as an expert on health, in particular with women and children. Married for many years to award winning playwright Tom Stoppard, she penned a popular newspaper agony aunt as well as being a best-selling author, but perhaps was famous for giving out medical advice on TV and her interviews which included one in 1985 with then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who was moved to tears by the story of the end of her father’s political career in Grantham. Tony Scott Arguably the most celebrated of the Pitmen Painters. His talent for art was evident even as a young boy, winning his first drawing prize aged four before he began working down the mines at 14. Soon afterwards he joined the Sketching Club at the Spennymoor Settlement which became known as the Pitman’s Academy, because its clubs nurtured the talents of people such as writer Sid Chaplin and artist Tom McGuinness.

Yep, this is the classic, my friends always ask me why I'm putting gravy on my chips. They also have no idea what scraps are." – Abbie, Newcastle How can you be warm? It's freezing!

Northerners: The bestselling history of the North of England

The Animals Pop Group In The 1960's Alan Price Chas Chandler Hylton Valentine And Eric Burden (Image: newcastle chronicle)It’s not hot, it's only 26°C.' Sorry that I'm not used to living on the surface of the sun." – Abbie, Newcastle The age old saying ‘it’s grim up north’ needs to go into retirement and frankly most northerners are tired of this outrageous falsehood.