2024 has been a banner year for St Albans and Harpenden on TV, with stars from the city making a splash across the box from the BBC to Channel 4.

We're taking a look back at some of the St Albans stars who have had success on the box , as well as a star from yesteryear whose star burned bright but mysteriously short.

1. Mike Woodhams, Britain's Got Talent finalist

Mike wowed the judges en route to the finalMike wowed the judges en route to the final (Image: PA / Aaron Chown)

Musical impressionist Mike Woodhams made it all the way to the end of this years series of Britain's Got Talent, impressing the judges with his side-splitting impressions of musical legends.

Mike is a music teacher for schools across the St Albans area and said: "The kids have been amazing, they've been so excited about the whole thing and it's really helped to bring the school together."

After previously channelling the likes of James Blunt and Boyzone, in his final performance Mike did impersonations of Britney Spears, Elton John and Kate Bush, receiving a huge ovation from the crowd.

Mike fell short in the final, ultimately finishing 7th, but did himself and the area proud.

2. Alfie Watts and Owen Wood, Race Across the World winners

The lifelong friends will share the £20k prize (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Pete Dadds)The lifelong friends will share the £20k prize (Image: BBC/Studio Lambert/Pete Dadds)

Alfie Watts and Owen Wood met at school in St Albans and have been friends ever since. At 20 and 21 years of age, they are the youngest winners of the BAFTA winning show.

The Herts duo beat mother and daughter team Eugenie and Isabel to the finish line by just eight minutes in a nail biting finale.

The series was a ratings hit with almost four million people tuning in to watch the St Albans locals complete the epic journey from Japan to Indonesia.

3. Natalie O'Brien and Jack Visick, Double Your Money winner

Natalie and her partner Jack were crowned winners of the C4 showNatalie and her partner Jack were crowned winners of the C4 show (Image: Natalie O'Brien)

Natalie O'Brien is the area's most recent success story after she and her partner Jack Visick won the first series of Channel 4 business competition Double Your Money.

The 27-year-old grew up in Harpenden, going to St George's secondary school before moving to Brighton for university where she graduated with a first class degree in international events management.

Natalie also had a cameo in last summers hit Barbie film, before applying for the Sue Perkins fronted Channel 4 show.

In the final, they won with their pitch for coffee brand Need.

4. Luisa Zissman, The Apprentice runner up

Luissa came second on the 2013 series of The ApprenticeLuissa came second on the 2013 series of The Apprentice (Image: BBC Pictures)St Albans businesswoman Luisa Zissman was a hit in the boardroom back in 2013, finishing as runner up in the ninth series of BBC show The Apprentice.

In the final, her online bakery business fell just short, with Lord Sugar instead opting for cosmetic surgeon Leah Totton.

Luisa went on to appear on the following year's series of Celebrity Big Brother.

She also co-hosts a successful podcast, LuAnna. 

5. Alice Fredenham, Britain's Got Talent semi finalist

Alice reached the semi finals of BGT back in 2013Alice reached the semi finals of BGT back in 2013 (Image: Archant)

Alice Fredenham won hearts and minds with a run to the semi finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2013, with her performance of Cry Me A River, getting over 6 million views on YouTube.

BGT judge Simon Cowell described her voice as "liquid platinum", indicating a bright future ahead.

But her career stuttered in the following years and she hasn't posted on social media in six years.

Last year the Herts Ad was told by a spokesperson for her record label: "Alice has retired from the music industry and wishes to retain her privacy."