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Festival to celebrate all things Steve (and Steph)

Reuters/PA Media/EPA/BBC A composite picture of four head shots of different Steves. Clockwise from the top left is Steven Gerrard, Stephen Fry, Steph McGovern and Stephen SpielbergReuters/PA Media/EPA/BBC
The event's organiser said there had been some truly remarkable Steves, Stephens and Stephs over the years

There's a good chance you know someone called Steve or Steph - or perhaps you are fortunate enough to have it as your own name.

Well now the moniker's popularity has prompted a group of Steves hanging out at a bar in Derbyshire to come up with the idea of organising a "celebration of all things Steve".

Steve Fest is due to take place on St Stephen's Day - Boxing Day - and non-Steves are welcome but you will need to buy a Steve, Stephen, Steven, Stephanie or Steph a drink.

Organiser Steve Lilley, from Belper, said it was a "bit of fun" but they would also like to get to the bottom of why so many people are called Steve.

PA Media Stevie Nicks on stage holding the microphone with a drummer visible behind herPA Media
Stevie Nicks is certain to feature on the playlist

Mr Lilley said the idea had been born when 10 people were stood at a bar.

"Somebody said 'Steve' and everybody turned around apart from one," he told the BBC.

"It dawned on us that everybody's name was Steve, apart from one person whose name was Jack.

"Then we found out Jack was actually born a Steve and called himself Jack because he was fed up of getting mixed up with everyone else.

"We jokily said we ought to have a festival all about Steves because there are that many in Belper.

"We started reeling off other Steves we knew, and I jokily said we could have it on St Stephen's Day. "

Steve Lilley Selfie of Steve Lilley, who is on the left, who has a bald head with Steve Marriott on the right, who has dark hair, a moustache, am earring and is drinking from a strawSteve Lilley
Steve Lilley (left), pictured with pal Steve Marriott, said a "gluttony of Steves" were born at a similar time

The 57-year-old said the event - due to be held at Tyler's in Belper - would feature a beer specially brewed for Steves, and every Steve would get an item with their name on it.

He added a themed playlist would include songs by Shakin' Stevens and Stevie Nicks along with activities to honour other famous Steves like Steve Jobs, Steven Spielberg, Steve Irwin and Stephen Hawking.

"The name Steve has been associated with some truly remarkable Steves," he said.

"If anybody knows how we can get in touch with Shakin' Stevens - we would love him to pop up, and we might even get him singing."

Mr Lilley, managing director of Derbyshire Tea, said it was bizarre there was "a gluttony" of Steves of a similar age - born in the late 60s and early 70s.

"We could do with finding out why," he joked.

"If you are Steve, you can invite anybody but remember they will have to look after Steves while they are there."

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