Great Britons
Season 12002
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.
12 Episodes
E01 The Top 100
The top ten is revealed and a debate on the merits of each ensues in the studio.
October 20, 2002
E02 Brunel
Jeremy Clarkson argues the case for Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
October 22, 2002E03 Darwin
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.
October 25, 2002E04 Diana
Writer and broadcaster Rosie Boycott makes the case for choosing Diana, Princess of Wales, as the greatest Briton of all time.
October 29, 2002E05 Cromwell
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.
November 1, 2002E06 Nelson
Historian and writer Lucy Moore makes the case for choosing Horatio Nelson as the greatest Briton of all time.
November 5, 2002E07 Shakespeare
Actress Fiona Shaw explores the author's identity and applauds him for writing about life in a way that all could understand.
November 8, 2002E08 Elizabeth I
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.
November 12, 2002E09 Newton
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.
November 15, 2002E10 Lennon
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.
November 19, 2002E11 Churchill
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.
November 22, 2002E12 The Greatest of Them All
Anne Robinson is joined by the celebrities who championed the ten nominees while the final votes are cast.
November 24, 2002