Great Britons

1h

Documentary

Each programme is dedicated to one of the Top Ten Great Britons voted for by the public throughout the last year. Well-known modern-day Briton try to persuade you that their choice is the one to vote for.

Episodes

Cast

The Top 100

1. The Top 100

1h

20th Oct 2002

The top ten is revealed and a debate on the merits of each ensues in the studio.

Brunel

2. Brunel

1h

22nd Oct 2002

Jeremy Clarkson argues the case for Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Darwin

3. Darwin

1h

25th Oct 2002

Did The Origin of Species make Charles Darwin the greatest ever Briton? Andrew Marr makes his case in the Galapagos Islands - where Darwin first witnessed evolution at work.

Diana

4. Diana

1h

29th Oct 2002

Writer and broadcaster Rosie Boycott makes the case for choosing Diana, Princess of Wales, as the greatest Briton of all time.

Cromwell

5. Cromwell

1h

1st Nov 2002

Historian Richard Holmes assesses the achievements of Oliver Cromwell, the military leader whose passionate belief in the rights of the common man saw him sow the seeds of modern-day parliamentary democracy.

Nelson

6. Nelson

1h

5th Nov 2002

Historian and writer Lucy Moore makes the case for choosing Horatio Nelson as the greatest Briton of all time.

Shakespeare

7. Shakespeare

1h

8th Nov 2002

Actress Fiona Shaw explores the author's identity and applauds him for writing about life in a way that all could understand.

Elizabeth I

8. Elizabeth I

1h

12th Nov 2002

Consigned to the Tower of London in her youth, Elizabeth I survived to turn Britain into a world power. Michael Portillo argues the case for the queen as being the most remarkable leader this country has ever had.

Newton

9. Newton

1h

15th Nov 2002

Isaac Newton is best remembered for the story of the falling apple - the inspiration for his theory of gravity. Historian Tristram Hunt argues, however, that there was much more to Newton than this.

Lennon

10. Lennon

1h

19th Nov 2002

First with the Beatles, then as a solo star, John Lennon revolutionised 20th-century music. Jonathan Creek's Alan Davies celebrates an icon for the post-war generation who communicated in a universal language - pop music.

Churchill

11. Churchill

1h

22nd Nov 2002

In the summer of 1940, Britain looked to Prime Minister Winston Churchill to stem the imminent invasion by Hitler's forces. Since he fulfilled his destiny and led Britain to victory, Mowlam proposes Churchill as the greatest Briton.

The Greatest of Them All

12. The Greatest of Them All

1h

24th Nov 2002

Anne Robinson is joined by the celebrities who championed the ten nominees while the final votes are cast.

First air date

20th Oct 2002

Last air date

24th Nov 2002

Status

Ended

Type

Documentary

Original language

en

Networks