Wildlife presenter David Attenborough is named the UK's most trustworthy figure
The UK's best-known natural history film-maker is often regarded as a national treasure
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Your support makes all the difference.Documentary-maker David Attenborough has been voted Britain’s most trustworthy figure in a public poll.
Freuds asked 4,000 Britons to vote on a list of 84 well-known people, judging them on traits such as likeability, trust and courage, to compile its new annual Freuds Heroes Index poll.
Sir David, who has been the face and voice of natural history programme for 60 years, came out top on the trust index, polling at fourth overall.
Falklands War veteran Simon Weston came top in the overall hero category.
He said he was “flattered and humbled” by the news that he had topped list of heroes.
"True heroism is about risking your life to save others who are not in a position to help themselves – often people you don’t even know,” Weston said.
"Our soldiers do that every day. It is their duty."
Weston suffered 46 per cent burns to his body when he was aboard the Sir Galahad when it was destroyed at Bluff Cove in the Falklands Islands in 1982. His recovery entailed numerous operations and he is now well-known for his charity work.
Physicist Stephen Hawking came second and eight of the top 20 individuals were sports stars, including Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and Olympic athlete Jessica Ennis.
In a breakdown of individual traits the Duchess of Cambridge, who scooped 17th place, was voted the most likeable UK figure, while Boris Johnson ranked highest out of the politicians featured in the list, coming in at number 55, ahead of both Tony Blair (66) and David Cameron (68).
The Freuds Heroes Index in full below:
1 Simon Weston, Army Veteran
2 Stephen Hawking, Physicist and Author
3 Ellie Simmonds, Paralympian Swimmer
4 David Attenborough, Broadcaster and Naturalist
5 Jessica Ennis-Hill, Athlete
6 Mo Farah, Athlete
7 Richard Branson, Entrepreneur
8 Chris Hoy, Cyclist
9 Steve Redgrave, Rower
10 Judi Dench, Actress
11 HM The Queen
12 HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
13 Andy Murray, Tennis Player
14 David Beckham, Former Footballer
15 Trevor McDonald, Journalist and Broadcaster
16 Joanna Lumley, Actress and Campaigner
17 HRH Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
18 Bradley Wiggins, Cyclist
19 Bob Geldof, Musician and Activist
20 Brian Cox, Physicist and Broadcaster
21 Doreen Lawrence, Campaigner
22 Jonny Wilkinson, Rugby Player
23 JK Rowling, Author
24 Paul McCartney, Musician
25 Stephen Fry, Actor and Broadcaster
26 Jamie Oliver, Chef and Broadcaster
27 Sebastian Coe, Politician and Former Athlete
28 Alan Sugar, Businessman
29 Gary Lineker, Pundit and Former Footballer
30 Jon Snow, Journalist and Broadcaster
31 Maggie Smith, Actress
32 Alex Ferguson, Former Football Manager
33 Lewis Hamilton, Racing Driver
34 Gary Barlow, Musician
35 Daniel Craig, Actor
36 Elton John, Musician
37 Martin Lewis, Journalist and Consumer Expert
38 Karren Brady, Businesswoman
39 Andrew Flintoff, Cricketer
40 Clare Balding, Journalist and TV Presenter
41 Amir Khan, Professional Boxer
42 Bono, Musician and Activist
43 Katie Piper, Campaigner and TV Presenter
44 HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales
45 Gareth Thomas, Former Rugby Player
46 Ant & Dec, TV Presenters and Comedians
47 Rory McIlroy, Golfer
48 David Haye, Professional Boxer
49 Victoria Beckham, Businesswoman,
Fashion Designer and Singer
50 Mick Jagger, Musician
51 Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury
52 Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Businessman
53 Gok Wan, TV Presenter and Fashion Consultant
54 Benedict Cumberbatch, Actor
55 Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
56 Stella McCartney, Fashion Designer
57 David Blunkett, Former Politician
58 Jo Frost, Nanny and TV Personality
59 Simon Cowell, Music Executive and
Talent Competition Judge
60 Kirstie Allsopp, TV Presenter
61 Wayne Rooney, Footballer
62 Cheryl Cole, Musician and TV Personality
63 Roy Hodgson, Football Manager
64 Jeremy Clarkson, Journalist and Broadcaster
65 Jeremy Paxman, Journalist and Broadcaster
66 Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister
67 Gordon Ramsay, Chef and TV Presenter
68 David Cameron, Prime Minister
69 Theresa May, Home Secretary
70 Dizzee Rascal, Musician
71 Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party
72 Philip Green, Businessman
73 Kate Moss, Model
74 John Prescott, Former Deputy Prime Minister
75 Ken Livingstone, Former Mayor of London
76 Russell Brand, Comedian and Actor
77 Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland
78 Terry Leahy, Businessman
79 Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party
80 Bob Crow, Trade Union Leader
81 Gerry Adams, Northern Irish Politician
82 George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer
83 George Galloway, MP for the Respect Party
84 Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education
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