Storyline

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.

First Aired

2002-10-20
Last Aired

2002-11-24
Creator
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

12
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

BBC Two

Keywords:

competition biography

Stream and watch Great Britons

Season 1

1. The Top 100

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

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

60mins 2002-10-20

2. Brunel

Jeremy Clarkson argues the case for Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Jeremy Clarkson argues the case for Isambard Kingdom Brunel.Less

60mins 2002-10-22

3. Darwin

Did The Origin of Species make Charles Darwin the greatest ever Briton? Andrew Marr makes his case in ...More

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.Less

60mins 2002-10-25

4. Diana

Writer and broadcaster Rosie Boycott makes the case for choosing Diana, Princess of Wales, as the grea...More

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

60mins 2002-10-29

5. Cromwell

Historian Richard Holmes assesses the achievements of Oliver Cromwell, the military leader whose passi...More

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.Less

60mins 2002-11-01

6. Nelson

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

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

60mins 2002-11-05

7. Shakespeare

Actress Fiona Shaw explores the author's identity and applauds him for writing about life in a way tha...More

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

60mins 2002-11-08

8. Elizabeth I

Consigned to the Tower of London in her youth, Elizabeth I survived to turn Britain into a world power...More

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.Less

60mins 2002-11-12

9. Newton

Isaac Newton is best remembered for the story of the falling apple - the inspiration for his theory of...More

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.Less

60mins 2002-11-15

10. Lennon

First with the Beatles, then as a solo star, John Lennon revolutionised 20th-century music. Jonathan C...More

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.Less

60mins 2002-11-19

11. Churchill

In the summer of 1940, Britain looked to Prime Minister Winston Churchill to stem the imminent invasio...More

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.Less