Smethwick-born actress Julie Walters will become the next West Midlands celebrity to get a place on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars.

Julie, aged 59, star of recent smash hit movies Mamma Mia and Harry Potter, was born in the Black Country town in 1950. She attended Holly Lodge Grammar School for Girls, Holly Lane, Smethwick, as a teenager and at the age of 18 started her nursing training at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, before moving to Manchester to pursue her acting career.

The actress and comedienne said she was delighted to be honoured in such a way.

“I am very honoured and happy that the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands want to include me in their Walk of Stars and I look forward to receiving my star,” she said.

“Birmingham and the West Midlands is where I’m from. These are my roots and in essence it has played a big part in making me the person I am today.” The first star to receive the accolade was Brummie rocker Ozzy Osbourne.

He was followed by funnyman Jasper Carrott, Slade’s Noddy Holder, racing pundit Murray Walker, the cast of The Archers and the radios soap’s stalwart Norman Painting.

The actress is appearing at the Birmingham Hippodrome tonight where she will be interviewed by Mark Williams, who played Mr Weasley to her Mrs Weasley in the hit Harry Potter films.

Julie grew up on Bishopton Road and details life in the area in her new autobiography, called That’s Another Story, published last week.

The Walk of Stars was the brainchild of the Broad Street Business Improvement District and has proved popular with local people, who have turned out in force to watch the big names accept their stars. The awards were introduced to honour local people who have made a significant contribution in the categories of music, television, film, radio, theatre, sport, business and literacy.

Allan Sartori, marketing director of the Broad Street Business Improvement District, said: “I am pleased to announce that Julie Walters has today agreed to be included in our Broad Street Walk of Stars.

“It is only fitting that Julie be honoured in this way as she is a true Midlander and I know the people of Birmingham are very proud of Julie’s achievements.

“We are now looking forward to a date in the new year where we can present the star and hold a glittering dinner in aid of the Variety Club of Great Britain.”