THROUGH the years, many famous faces have driven down the M3 for a public appearance in Basingstoke.

Here are a selection:

Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood, better known as Dick And Dom visited Basingstoke in 2006 to film a segment for the BBC Saturday morning programme Dick And Dom In Da Bungalow.

Ex-Goon Harry Secombe came to Basingstoke in 1985 with his ITV Sunday tea time show Highway. The programme had a religious theme, and at the time there was uproar from many viewers when Harry chose the location of Popley One shops to stand outside and sing a hymn. Harry is pictured with radio and TV presenter David Jacobs.

Baroness Margaret Thatcher visited the town on many occasions while serving as prime minister between 1979 and 1990. She is pictured chatting to Lansing Bagnall workers.

Cockney legends Chas and Dave have graced Basingstoke many times, including appearances at the Sports Centre, Basingstoke Carnival and Basingstoke Live. On one trip they were reported as asking £100 worth of booze to be laid on just for the two of them during their performance.

Bill Roache, who is better known to millions of ITV soap fans as Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, came to Basingstoke in the 1980s to open the Granada TV rental shop.

The late great Keith Chegwin was a regular face around Basingstoke. He lived just outside Newbury, so was often spotted shopping in the town. His many visits to Basingstoke in a work capacity included The Big Breakfast, opening the Carnival in the 1980s and a stint in panto at The Anvil.

Have you met a visiting celebrity? Do you have a photo you'd like to share? Please get in touch via the Flashback Thursday email address above.