Ann Duffy, the first female Poet Laureate, lives in West Didsbury as of 2009. Nigel Henbest, astronomer, author and television producer, was born in West Didsbury in 1951. Philip Irwin, cricketer and Royal Navy officer, was born in Didsbury in 1884. Martin Lewis, journalist, was born in Withington Hospital and spent his earliest years growing up in Didsbury. Howard Spring – novelist and journalist for The Manchester Guardian lived in Didsbury 1915–1930 whilst working for the Guardian. Several novels including Shabby Tiger were based in Manchester. Broadcaster and humanitarian Olive Shapley lived on Millgate Lane 1953–1981, where she ran a refuge for single mothers, and later for Vietnamese boat people. A street in Didsbury is named after her, Olive Shapley Avenue. Rik Mayall lived in East Didsbury whilst attending Manchester University in the mid-1970's. Comedian and writer Caroline Aherne lived in Didsbury with her musician husband Peter Hook in the mid-1990s. See also Listed buildings in Manchester-M20 References Citations Bibliography External links Areas of Manchester