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David Bowie named greatest entertainer of the 20th century, poll finds

Bowie has been singled out in the Entertainers category of the BBC show Icons

Clémence Michallon
New York
Thursday 17 January 2019 23:05 GMT
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(Express/Getty)

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David Bowie has been named the greatest entertainer of the 20th century.

The British public made the decision as part of a poll for the BBC's Icons TV show, which focuses on some of the most prominent names of that time period.

Bowie was picked over Charlie Chaplin, Billie Holiday and Marilyn Monroe as the winner of the Entertainers category.

The ultimate goal of the show is for members of the public to pick "the greatest person of the 20th century" through a vote.

There are four categories in total in Icons. In addition to entertainers, the show looks at activists, sports stars, artists and writers, leaders, explorers, and scientists.

Other winners so far include mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing, explorer Ernest Shackleton, and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.

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The public's ultimate pick for greatest person of the 20th century will be revealed on 5 February on BBC Two during a live final.

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