Churchill is Brits' No.1

He was Britain's saviour in her darkest hour. In the most perilous days of the Second World War, Winston Churchill's unswerving belief that the allies would prevail sustained the nation.

And today, more than half a century later, the nation continues to show its gratitude. For Churchill has triumphed over 100 other leading figures to be hailed the Greatest Briton in history.

The verdict was reached after a month of campaigning orchestrated by the BBC.

Celebrities put forward other candidates such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who came second, Diana, Princess of Wales, Charles Darwin, William Shakespeare, Sir Isaac Newton, John Lennon, Elizabeth I, Horatio Nelson and Oliver Cromwell.

For much of the campaign Princess Diana, proposed by Rosie Boycott, commanded the most support; a fact which infuriated serious commentators. However, in the final stages it was Brunel, proposed by motoring presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who held the lead.

But by the end Churchill, promoted by former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam, had registered a resounding victory, gaining 447,423 votes.

He trounced Brunel by more than 56,000 votes. Ms Mowlam was jubilant.

"It's clear that Churchill was the choice of the people. He would have been very pleased about that because he was such a fundamental believer in democracy," she said.

"He was the greatest Briton because he showed the determination and courage to protect Britain from invasion and without his inspiring leadership the outcome of World War II may have been very different." England football captain David Beckham was 33rd on the list of 100 Greatest Britons but threw his weight behind the Churchill campaign. He said: "He was a giant of a leader at a time when Britain needed hope and inspiration."

The result ends an intriguing-contest which prompted widespread debate about Britain's heritage and achievements.

The poll, conducted by telephone and email, ended after a passionate two-hour live debate on BBC2 in which celebrities including former Tory minister Michael Portillo and Clarkson argued the case for their choices. Many of the celebrity proposers conducted private battles among themselves to ensure their candidates came out on top.

Clarkson and BBC Political Editor Andrew Marr, who proposed Charles Darwin, had a private wager which Clarkson has now won.

Jane Root, Controller of BBC2, who had the idea for the series, said: "I'm really pleased this has so captured the public's imagination and have been delighted by the level of interest and debate generated.

"I think it's great that figures from our past continue to inspire such a passionate response and I really believe that television plays a fantastic role in keeping them alive for today's audiences."

But in the end, Churchill's achievements during the Second World War against Hitler needed little by way of promotion.

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