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National treasures. Who would you choose?

(93 Posts)
Bazza Fri 08-May-26 11:28:13

I don’t know if this has been done before, but as it’s David Attenborough’s 100th birthday today, who else do you consider to have this overused title? After Sir David, who I imagine is most people’s number one, I would say Michael Palin, Judy Dench and possibly controversially Joanna Lumley. I’ll probably think of more but they would be my top four.

Macaydia Sat 09-May-26 02:30:14

Sir Kenneth Robinson

Rosie51 Sat 09-May-26 01:01:56

Whatever happened to equality? Suddenly we're grading humans. No one is worth more than any other. Some have very privileged lives, and I'd count David Attenborough amongst them. He's been given opportunities way beyond the average person, which he's taken to the fullest, and good for him, would that we all could. But is he really more valuable as a human than the carer who goes into my neighbour each day to change her incontinence pads, wash and dress her and give her food?

Basgetti Fri 08-May-26 23:24:48

(I’d also suggest Helena Kennedy. Not a celebrity as such but I think an absolute treasure)

Basgetti Fri 08-May-26 23:20:00

Your last post came across as being very superior, Allira.
UK means United Kingdom.
Not England, then those other places.

Basgetti Fri 08-May-26 23:17:13

Billy Connolly?

Allira Fri 08-May-26 23:05:03

Basgetti

Scotland was part of the nation, last time I checked?
Do “National” Treasures have to be English? Didn’t realise.

😁

Can you think of a Scottish one?
Apparently Sean Connery was a national treasure of Scotland. Make of that what you will.

Basgetti Fri 08-May-26 22:54:13

Scotland was part of the nation, last time I checked?
Do “National” Treasures have to be English? Didn’t realise.

Basgetti Fri 08-May-26 22:52:49

paddyann54

Joanna Lumley? After she revealed she,s 3/4 Scots and never calls herself British ……oops

What’s wrong with that?

Allira Fri 08-May-26 22:47:43

paddyann54

Joanna Lumley? After she revealed she,s 3/4 Scots and never calls herself British ……oops

Well, she was born in India!

REKA Fri 08-May-26 22:45:46

I'm not a huge fan of David Attenborough. But I do like his voice and his ability to pronounce the word sloth correctly .

Moth62 Fri 08-May-26 22:42:36

I think I must be the only person in the world who is not a fan of Sir David Attenborough. Yes, I can quite see why he is so revered, but his programmes and the man himself do nothing for me personally. Sorry. But then, as my dear old mum used to say, “Oh, well, and I’m sure he loves you, too”!! She was always good at puncturing my pomposity smile

valdali Fri 08-May-26 21:11:36

Gareth Southgate because he dared become England manager when it was the most poisonous job, turned the press around to actually get behind their team, & got the players enjoying playing in an England shirt. & he's shy & humble & a seems a lovely person.

LadyGracie Fri 08-May-26 20:19:22

Absolutely no one.

Fallingstar Fri 08-May-26 19:39:10

Not sure if that counts though.

Fallingstar Fri 08-May-26 19:37:45

Sir David is a national asset rather than a national treasure, which smacks of ancient old relics imho.
I can’t really think of anyone else.
I will however dare to suggest Camilla/the Queen, for her work with women who have survived rape/sexual assault and for sticking with Charles when the gloves were off and she was public enemy number one. I am no royalist I just like her as a person.

sixandahalf Fri 08-May-26 18:07:19

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXlbZQyGLBc

OldFrill Fri 08-May-26 18:02:39

paddyann54

Joanna Lumley? After she revealed she,s 3/4 Scots and never calls herself British ……oops

Joanna Lumley wrote an article published in the Telegraph titled "We British........"
www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2026/03/10/best-and-worst-joanna-lumley-interview/

JamesandJon33 Fri 08-May-26 17:54:37

Each to his own * Grandma70s*

paddyann54 Fri 08-May-26 17:50:43

Joanna Lumley? After she revealed she,s 3/4 Scots and never calls herself British ……oops

Allira Fri 08-May-26 17:46:14

Have I got to choose someone?
😁

Oh, ok then, I'll choose Ian Hislop too for his ability to puncture egos.

Allira Fri 08-May-26 17:43:20

petra

Scribbles

Nobody. I think it's a horrible title to bestow upon a human being. The words always make me think of a dusty old vase on a plinth in a museum or a dark, impentrable oil painting on a gallery wall.

Judy Dench agrees with you 😱
She said so on tv.

Thank goodness.
I wouldn't choose Dame Judi anyway.

Or any mentioned above except for Sir David Attenborough because he has done more for wildlife than most other people.
However, I doubt he'd want to be known as such anyway!

Just because people go into a profession such as acting, are good at it and get paid very well indeed, does not make them National Treasures, especially when they start advertising too, taking work away from those struggling young actors who may need the money to supplement their income.

crazyH Fri 08-May-26 17:42:36

MissA - and the long drawn-out story , sitting on an oversized arm chair 😂

MollyNew Fri 08-May-26 17:41:09

Rick Stein

Casdon Fri 08-May-26 17:41:03

I’m going for Ian Hislop.

MissAdventure Fri 08-May-26 17:37:32

I loved the two Ronnies.
The phantom raspberry blower of olde London towne. smile