Movatterモバイル変換

			You are in: Entertainment
	News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Entertainment Science/Nature Technology Health ------------- Talking Point ------------- Country Profiles In Depth ------------- Programmes ------------- SERVICES Daily E-mail News Ticker Mobile/PDAs ------------- Text Only Feedback Help EDITIONS Change to UK		Ten greatest Britons chosen

It has certainly sparked the imagination of those posting on the series' messageboard, where alternative nominees have been as varied as penicillin discoverer Alexander Fleming, "godfather of the computer" Alan Turing, women's rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst and composer Edward Elgar.

For the next few weeks historians and celebrities will profile theirfavourites among the ten in a series of programmes, ahead of a final vote to find the greatest ever Briton.

Among those arguing for their favourites will be comic Alan Davies who will beputting the case for Lennon, while Jeremy Clarkson is behind Brunel.

Other presenters making the case for their favourites include Mo Mowlam and Michael Portillo.

The presenters then come together at the end of the series to try to swing late voters in a live studio debate and the greatest Briton of all time as voted for by BBC viewers will be announced, live, by Anne Robinson.

None of the top 10 is still alive, which some analysts say indicates that Britain is not as obsessed with current celebrity as it might appear.

Helen Haste, an expert on cultural icons who is based at Bath University, said: "Just because people enjoy reading about celebrities in magazines, it does not mean they will give them a place in the chronicles of history.

"People perceive celebrities as being famous for being famous and as a short-term thing - someone to entertain them but not to be taken seriously."

But quiz show host Anne Robinson has said she was "dumbfounded" Diana, Princess of Wales made the list.

"To regard her as a great Briton seems to be absurd," she said.

	E-mail this story to a friend

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>>|To BBC Weather>>|To BBC World Service>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMIIINews SourcesPrivacy