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主播大秀
TWO reveals the nation's top 100 Greatest Britons of all time
 The
主播大秀 today announced the results of a major new poll to discover
who the nation considers the greatest Britons of all time.
From Boudicca and Bono to Richard III and J K Rowling, the results
provide a fascinating insight into who the public sees as their
role models in the 21st century.
The top 10 will be revealed by Anne Robinson this Autumn in 主播大秀
TWO's major new series, Great Britons, and viewers will be
able to vote for the person they consider to be the Greatest Briton
of them all.
A
series of one hour films will be shown on each of the shortlisted
Great Britons, each fronted by a high profile presenter, including
Jeremy Clarkson, Rosie Boycott and Andrew Marr, arguing passionately
why they believe their Great Briton is not only great, but the greatest
ever.
Viewers will be able to vote throughout the series and the results
will be announced in a special live programme hosted by Anne Robinson.
Over
30,000 people responded to the poll, conducted last year.
The
top 100, revealed today in alphabetical order, shows the British
public has very exacting standards: scientists, soldiers and royals
are the most likely to be considered "great".
The
bulk of living Britons come from the world of music - 11 in total,
14 if broadened to include DJ John Peel and musical stars Michael
Crawford and Julie Andrews.
From Cliff Richard to Robbie Williams, the results show the powerful
emotional hold popular music has on our lives.
One
single job most likely to secure you a place in the top 100 is that
of member of the Royal Family.
No less than 14 royals, including Boudicca and Robert the Bruce,
make the list.
However, the present Royal Family are not so well represented with
only Queen Elizabeth II and the late Elizabeth, The Queen Mother
making an appearance.
One
fifth of the top 100 come from the world of science, engineering
and invention, from William Caxton (the printing press) to Tim Berners
Lee (the world wide web); from Edward Jenner (pioneer of vaccination)
to Barnes Wallis (inventor of the bouncing bomb).
In contrast, there is a startling absence of visual artists. There
is no place for John Constable, JMW Turner, Henry Moore or any other
of the major artists Britain has produced.
Poetry is as much neglected in this poll as painting: Keats, Yeats,
Burns, Wordsworth, Shelley, Byron and Hughes have all been overlooked.
By
comparison, the British public loves a soldier. War heroes are well
represented with Winston Churchill, the Duke of Wellington, Horatio
Nelson, Owain Glyndwr, Henry V, Lawrence of Arabia and Field Marshall
Montgomery amongst those in the top 100.
Many also chose to mark the contribution of the thousands of ordinary
men and women who have fallen in our defence by nominating The Unknown
Soldier.
In
a nation gripped by the cult of celebrity, surprisingly few modern
day Britons have made it onto the list: only 22 of the top 100 are
alive today.
There are no models, no film or soap stars and only two living sports
heroes: footballer David Beckham and Olympic rower Steven Redgrave.
David
Attenborough is the only TV presenter; Richard Burton, Julie Andrews
and Michael Crawford the only actors.
The British sense of humour may be famous around the world, but
Eric Morecombe and Charlie Chaplin are the only comedians.
There is no place for Peter Sellers or Spike Milligan; none for
Richard Dimbleby or Alan Bennett, for John Gielgud or Lawrence Olivier.
Jane
Root, Controller of 主播大秀 TWO, says: "I think there are a few
surprises in the Top 100 and it will be fascinating to see who has
made it into the Top 10.
"I'm
sure this series will arouse enthusiastic debate in offices and
homes all around the country. Just from talking to people I've got
a real sense of how passionately they feel about the subject and
who they feel is worthy of the title of Great Briton.
"We hope that the series will continue to provoke debate and
encourage people to place their vote for the Greatest Briton of
them all."
The
National Portrait Gallery will have a Great Britons gallery trail
this Autumn and is publishing a companion book.
Notes to Editors
The poll results were announced today by Jane Root, Controller
of 主播大秀 TWO at 主播大秀 TWO's Autumn launch.
The
poll for nominations for Great Britons ran between 27 November to
31 December 2001.
The
主播大秀 launched a publicity campaign and ran a series of trails asking
people to nominate their greatest Briton of all time by phone or
through the 主播大秀 website. The results were collated and from this
we have the top 100 released today.
A
great Briton is defined as anyone who was born in the British Isles,
including Ireland; or anyone who lived in the British Isles, including
Ireland, and who has played a significant part in the life of the
British Isles.
The complete list of the top 100 in alphabetical
order
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