Late Queen and David Attenborough named greatest British icons of all time
In a noteworthy survey celebrating the 90th anniversary of the British Council, Queen Elizabeth II, Sir David Attenborough, and James Bond have emerged as the country's most beloved cultural figures. The late monarch is celebrated as the greatest "cultural icon" over the past 90 years, with a significant 41% of respondents in her favour.
Similarly revered, broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough was honoured by 40%, barely behind Her Majesty, while Diana, Princess of Wales, along with former PM Winston Churchill and rock legend Freddie Mercury were also held in high esteem.
Sir David holds particular distinction as the nation's top living icon, claiming the support of nearly half the voters at 48%. In this category, he leads substantially over Sir Elton John, who captured 20%, and Sir Paul McCartney close behind with 19%.
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Additionally, Dame Judi Dench and Catherine, Princess of Wales have won public favour, each securing 16% approval.
The survey named renowned British MI6 operative Bond as the foremost "fictional icon" from the last nine decades, commanding an impressive 42% of the vote. Notable fictional personalities such as Harry Potter, Del Boy from Only Fools And Horses, and enduring characters like Paddington Bear and Doctor Who also graced the list.
Internationally, Nelson Mandela takes precedence as the most influential non-UK cultural icon, with 29% of participants acknowledging his impact, followed closely by rock and roll king Elvis Presley and scientific luminary Albert Einstein.
When it comes to outstanding British music albums, voters found it hard to choose between Pink Floyd’s timeless The Dark Side Of The Moon and The Beatles’ groundbreaking Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, each receiving equal admiration from over a fifth of those surveyed.
JRR Tolkien's epic 'The Lord Of The Rings' series has been crowned the UK's best fiction novel of the past 90 years, with a 31% vote, while Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting' took the title for best British film at 20%. The NHS's inception was hailed as the most pivotal UK cultural event over the last nine decades, securing 42% of the votes, and the conclusion of the Second World War was chosen as the most significant global cultural moment.
Scott McDonald, CEO of the British Council, commented: "Throughout our 90-year history, we have brought the work of hundreds of writers, musicians, artists and performers to the attention of audiences across the globe, from taking acting greats Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh on an Australian tour in 1948 to British artist John Akomfrah showcasing his work at this year’s Venice Biennale. " He added, "The international connections we build through arts and culture transform lives, create positive change and support our vision of a more peaceful and prosperous world."
The survey, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by the British Council, gathered responses from 2,500 individuals online between July 18 and 25. Except for one question, participants were prompted to choose up to five options from a provided list.