David Beckham has come out in favour of staying in the EU, saying that an international crop of players including Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and Frenchman Eric Cantona made Manchester United great.

But other famous faces, including fellow footballer Sol Campbell and Monty Python star John Cleese, have thrown their support behind the Brexit campaign.

Here is a list of celebrities who have come out either in support or against staying in the EU.

Remain

James Bond actor Daniel Craig has added his support to the Remain campaign. The 007 star was pictured wearing a vote Remain t-shirt with the words “No man is an island. No country by itself” emblazoned across it in a picture tweeted on the Stronger In account.

Darts legend Bobby George is better known for his love of gold jewellery than his political views but he has declared he is backing Remain. Tweeting his support, he said: “If the Capt says in, I’m in. It’s up to you what you do but make sure you have your vote on Thursday @David_Cameron”.

Adventurer and TV presenter Bear Grylls said he spoke “from the heart” in backing the EU. He said: “At such a time for the UK to retreat, run and cut ourselves loose from Europe, when there are so many challenges on our doorstep, to me just doesn’t feel either courageous or kind. Europe has many flaws but I also believe the way to help resolve many of those tough issues is from within... I have never been a good quitter and I am so proud of the UK and our values: tolerance, kindness, respect, courage and resilience. This is why I want us to stay together and remain in Europe.”

J.K. Rowling. Photos: Shutterstock

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has come out in support of the Remain campaign and suggested that “racists and bigots” are directing parts of the Leave campaign. She said: “For some of us, that fact alone is enough to give us pause. The picture of Nigel Farage standing in front of a poster showing a winding line of Syrian refugees captioned ‘Breaking Point’ is, as countless people have already pointed out, an almost exact duplicate of propaganda used by the Nazis.”

Benedict Cumberbatch and Patrick Stewart led more than 280 figures from the arts world that backed a vote to stay. An open letter pledging support for Remain was also signed by music stars Hot Chip, alt-J and Paloma Faith, authors Hilary Mantel and John le Carré, and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood.

Idris Elba made his pro-EU views clear on Twitter. In a tweet that included a link to a video of Alex Salmond saying he was fed up with immigrants being portrayed negatively, the Luther actor wrote: ‘’My parents immigrated to the UK, worked hard and made a contribution... me... on that basis vote in.’’

Helena Bonham-Carter

Helena Bonham-Carter backed Remain, saying: ‘’I feel European but I also feel we can be British and be part of Europe, without it impinging on our sense of identity.’’

Physicist Stephen Hawking has come out in favour of staying, saying that ‘’progress comes from cooperation’’. He said: ‘’By working together in Europe we make our economy stronger and we give ourselves more influence in the world and we provide future opportunities for young people.’’

Game of Thrones actors Daniel Portman, who stars as Podrick Payne in the fantasy series, and Kate Dickie, who played Lysa Arryn, are two of more than 80 prominent members of Scotland’s creative sector who argue that Europe has benefitted the country artistically and culturally.

Leave

Monty Python star John Cleese signalled he will vote to leave the EU when he tweeted: “If I thought there was any chance of major reform in the EU, I’d vote to stay in. But there isn’t. Sad.’’

John Cleese

Actor Michael Caine said he is a reluctant Leaver. He said: ‘’I don’t know what to vote for. Both are scary. To me, you’ve now got in Europe a sort of government-by-proxy of everybody, who has now got carried away. Unless there are extremely significant changes, we should get out.’’

David Bailey was one of a number of personalities who loaned their face to a poster urging people to stay in the European Economic Community during the 1975 referendum campaign. But a spokeswoman for Britain’s most famous photographer told the Press Association he is going to vote for Brexit.

Cricketer Ian Botham appeared with former mayor of London Boris Johnson at a Vote Leave event in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Botham said he felt power has been ‘’eroded by Brussels’’, adding: ‘’I think, hang on, enough’s enough.’’

Former England international football star Sol Campbell said he is backing Brexit so that young British sporting talent would be nurtured and given greater opportunities at British clubs. He said: ‘’I’m looking at the sporting side – how youngsters aren’t getting the opportunities at some of the big clubs and some of the big clubs are bringing in youngsters from 14, 15, 16 and becoming homegrown, which is pushing some of our youngsters out.’’