Famous or not, mums all over the county have been celebrated for being heroes in their own right this Mother's Day - but did you know these inspirational women hailed from Essex?

Here are five of Essex's most famous mums...

Alison Moyet

Echo: Don't Go - Alison Moyet was raised in Basildon.Don't Go - Alison Moyet was raised in Basildon. (Image: NQ)

Billericay-born music legend Alison Moyet - also known as one half of Yazoo, with Basildon's Vince Clarke - has three children. She was raised in Basildon and is a self-proclaimed fan of Southend United, even naming her late dog Tilly after former Shrimpers manager Steve Tilson.

In addition to her close friendship with members of Depeche Mode, Alison was part of the "very strong pub-rock scene" in the seventies, supporting bands like Dr Feelgood.

She previously told the Echo: "There was a real Canvey/Southend sound which I was a part of."

Rachel Riley

Echo: 'Consonant please' - Rachel Riley was born in Rochford.'Consonant please' - Rachel Riley was born in Rochford. (Image: NQ)

Countdown's Rachel Riley is a mum-of-two and hails from Rochford.

Rachel was raised in Thorpe Bay and studied at Thorpe Hall School. She went on to get four As at A-Level while studying at Southend High School for Girls.

Denise van Outen

Echo: West End star - Denise van Outen comes from Basildon. West End star - Denise van Outen comes from Basildon. (Image: PA)

Presenter, actress and singer Denise van Outen comes from Basildon. The former "Big Breakfast" host is mum to a daughter she shares with Lee Mead, winner of the TV talent show "Any Dream Will Do" in 2007.

Last summer, the West End star was the face of a Channel 4 documentary helping people navigate shopping amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Pixie Lott

Echo: 'Cry me out' - Pixie Lott spent her formative years in Brentwood.'Cry me out' - Pixie Lott spent her formative years in Brentwood. (Image: Unknown)

Two-time chart-topper Pixie Lott was born in the London borough of Bromley but spent her teen years living in Brentwood. 

Since releasing her debut album "Turn It Up" in 2009, Pixie has gone on to earn three UK number one singles and seven top tens.

Sticking to her roots, Pixie returned to perform at Brentwood County High School in 2010.

The "Cry Me Out" singer gave birth to her first child, a son, in October.

Stacey Solomon

Echo: In a Pickle - Stacey Solomon lives in a £1.2million cottage in the Essex countryside.In a Pickle - Stacey Solomon lives in a £1.2million cottage in the Essex countryside. (Image: BBC)

Dagenham-born X-Factor star Stacey Solomon lives in a plush £1.2million home in the Essex countryside, with Eastenders star Joe Swash and their six children.

The family moved into "Pickle Cottage", named after the nickname given to their youngest son Rex, in 2021.

Currently, Stacey is a regular panellist on Loose Women and is hosting a the fourth series of the BBC's "Sort Your Life Out" home improvements programme.

Happy Mother's Day to all those who spread love and help shape people's lives.