text: The comedian and actor Karl Theobald was born in Lowestoft, as were BBC Radio 4 newsreader and television presenter Zeb Soanes and DJ and BBC radio presenter Tim Westwood. Historian and author  Ivan Bunn was born in Kirkley and still resides in Lowestoft. Three founder members of The Darkness rock band were educated in Kirkley (Namely Justin Hawkins, his brother Dan Hawkins and Ed Graham.) Some of their songs feature local landmarks or stories such as “Black Shuck”. Lil' Chris featured in Channel 4's Rock School, filmed at Kirkley high school (now East Point Academy) and went on to a musical career. Leanne Mitchell, winner of the first The Voice UK series, lives in the town.
  Sports people associated with Lowestoft include the England football captain Terry Butcher, who was educated there, and Peter Wright, a Darts World Champion who spent formative years there. Others include former Ipswich Town goalkeeper Laurie Sivell, Norwich City defenders Paul Haylock and Daryl Sutch, former football player and manager Richard Money, New York Mets pitcher Les Rohr and Olympic Bronze medal-winning middleweight boxer Anthony Ogogo.
  Freedom of the Town
  The following individuals, military units, organisations and groups have received the Freedom of the Town of Lowestoft.
  Individuals
  Benjamin Britten: 28 July 1951.  (Borough of Lowestoft)
  John Wylson: 25 June 2021
  Christopher Brooks: 25 June 2021, formally conferred at a ceremony on 27 November 2021.
  Organisations and groups
  The Excelsior: 25 June 2021.
  The Royal British Legion (Lowestoft and District Branch): 17 November 2021.