In North Staffordshire, a region known for its picturesque countryside and tight-knit communities, a local pub has once again found itself in the spotlight. The Star at Cotton, nestled in the heart of Oakamoor, has become something of a magnet for celebrities in recent years, drawing in famous faces from across the UK. On October 9, 2025, the pub welcomed its latest high-profile guest: Coleen Nolan, a well-known television personality and singer, who has recently made North Staffordshire her home.
The Star at Cotton’s reputation as a celebrity haunt is well-earned. Over the past few years, it has played host to a string of notable figures, including Queen of the Jungle Jill Scott, Manchester United star Harry Maguire, and Tyson Fury’s father. Locals have come to expect the occasional brush with fame while enjoying their meals or drinks at the Star Road venue. But the arrival of Coleen Nolan, a beloved figure in British entertainment, brought a fresh wave of excitement to the pub’s regulars and staff alike.
According to a social media post made by The Star at Cotton on October 9, 2025, staff were delighted by Nolan’s visit. The post read, “We had the lovely Coleen Nolan visit us for lunch – what a lovely lady.” The message was met with enthusiasm from followers, many of whom expressed their admiration for Nolan and their appreciation for the pub’s ongoing ability to attract such well-known guests.
Coleen Nolan’s connection to North Staffordshire is more than just a passing one. After moving to Dilhorne, a village not far from Oakamoor, Nolan has become a familiar face in the area. Her decision to settle in North Staffordshire has been warmly received by the community, who see her as both a celebrity and a neighbor. For The Star at Cotton, her visit was another feather in the cap of a venue that has become synonymous with celebrity encounters.
But The Star at Cotton’s celebrity connections don’t end with Nolan. One of its most famous visitors in recent memory was Jill Scott, a former footballer whose career has inspired countless fans. Scott, who was crowned Queen of the Jungle on a popular reality TV show, is no stranger to the public eye. On October 9, 2025, she reflected on her remarkable journey in football during an appearance on the ‘We Are The Overlap’ podcast, joining a panel of former players including Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Ian Wright.
Scott, now 38, shared candid memories of her early days in Sunderland, where she first fell in love with football at the age of six. “At 6-years-old I fell in love with football. I started going to watch Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as my granddad got me a season ticket,” she said, recalling the excitement of watching her childhood heroes. “I remember going to see Kevin Phillips, Michael Gray and Julio Arca. Those were the players I looked up to and would try and play like on a Sunday morning. I loved coming from Sunderland.”
Her journey from those formative years on the streets of Sunderland to the heights of international football is nothing short of extraordinary. Over the course of her career, Scott made over 100 appearances for both Everton and Manchester City, two of the most storied clubs in English football. Perhaps even more impressive, she won 161 caps for England, representing her country with distinction on the world stage. Her crowning achievement came in 2022, when she was part of the Lionesses squad that lifted the European Championships trophy, a moment that captured the imagination of the nation.
During the podcast, Scott recounted a particularly memorable encounter with royalty. She described a playful sliding tackle on Prince William during a game in Sunderland, which took place as they were opening a sports centre. The story didn’t end there. As Scott reached a major milestone in her career, Prince William sent her a congratulatory letter to mark her 150th England cap. “Prince William signed off his letter by saying ‘keep hacking those shins Jill’. He was referring to a time we were both up in Sunderland opening a sports centre. We were playing a game and I did a sliding tackle on him. I was with him about a month ago and he reminded me of it,” Scott explained. “From starting my journey in Sunderland to the future king knowing about my career is an amazing full circle journey.”
The Star at Cotton’s ability to attract such high-caliber guests speaks to its unique appeal. For many in North Staffordshire, the pub is more than just a place to eat or have a drink – it’s a community hub where locals and celebrities alike can relax and enjoy the warm hospitality for which the area is known. The staff’s genuine enthusiasm for their famous visitors, as evidenced by their social media tributes, only adds to the welcoming atmosphere that draws people back time and again.
Of course, the presence of celebrities such as Coleen Nolan and Jill Scott is not just a point of pride for The Star at Cotton, but for the wider North Staffordshire community. Their visits shine a spotlight on the region, drawing attention to its charms and encouraging others to explore what it has to offer. For residents, there’s a sense of shared excitement in seeing their favorite stars enjoying the same local haunts they frequent themselves.
It’s worth noting that the pub’s celebrity appeal is not a recent phenomenon. The Star at Cotton has built its reputation over time, consistently providing a welcoming environment that appeals to both locals and visitors from further afield. Whether it’s the food, the atmosphere, or simply the chance to rub shoulders with a famous face, there’s something about the place that keeps people coming back.
As North Staffordshire continues to attract new residents and visitors, establishments like The Star at Cotton play an important role in fostering a sense of community and belonging. The recent visits by Coleen Nolan and Jill Scott are just the latest chapters in the pub’s ongoing story – one that intertwines local pride with national celebrity. And while the staff and regulars may be getting used to seeing famous faces at the next table, there’s no denying the thrill that comes with each new arrival.
For now, The Star at Cotton remains a beacon for those seeking good food, good company, and the occasional brush with fame. And as Coleen Nolan and Jill Scott have shown, sometimes the best stories are found not in the headlines, but in the quiet corners of a local pub, shared over lunch or a pint, where everyone – celebrity or not – is made to feel right at home.