14 British Celebs That Ditched Their Given Name

Born Archibald Alexander Leach, his manager thought he needed a name "that sounded more all-American".

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight, "Elton John" is homage to Bluesology saxophonist Elton Dean and Long John Baldry

Helen Mirren was born Ilyena Lydia Vasilievna Mironov.

Born David John McDonald - he changed his name to Tennant as there is another actor called David McDonald.

Born Adam Richard Wiles - Harris is said to have chosen his stage name as it was "racially ambiguous".

Born Jessica Ellen Cornish - she has told interviewers that the 'J' stands for 'Jazzhands' and 'Jetlag'.

Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara.

Kim Cattrall's given name is Clare Woodgate.

Born Maurice Joseph Micklewhite - is it said he changed his name after audiences laughed at it in the credits.

Born Krishna Pandit Bhanji - he changed his name, fearing that a foreign name would hamper his career.

Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou - he decided to change his name to the more accessible 'George Michael'.

Born Florain Cloud de Bounevialle Armstrong, she was known from childhood by the name that's now famous, Dido.

Elvis Costello was born Declan Patrick McManus

Born Joyce Penelope Wilhelma Frankenberg, she changed her name because it "rolled trippingly from the tongue".