Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century - Live Final

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Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century

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The public vote for the greatest icon of the 20th century.

Exploring the achievements of the greatest figures of the 20th century. The public vote for their favourites, ultimately deciding who is the greatest icon of them all.

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Clare Balding

72 Films

Sanjeev Bhaskar

James Morgan

Lily Cole

David Glover

Trevor McDonald

Cate Hall

Dermot O'Leary

Francesca Maudslay

Chris Packham

Emma Jay

Kathleen Turner

Claudia Winkleman

Nick Robinson

Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century: Series 1: Live Final

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Live Final

Series 1

BBC Two - Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century, Series 1, Live Final

The public choose the greatest figure of the 20th century.

The live final of the series exploring the achievements of some of the greatest figures of the 20th century. The public vote for who they believe should be called the greatest.

In this live final hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Nick Robinson, the celebrity advocates return to fight their winning icon's case, and the public vote for the person they think was the greatest figure of the 20th century. Further information and debate can be found across the BBC to help viewers decide which of the seven finalists to vote for.

During his illustrious broadcasting career, Sir Trevor McDonald has interviewed many of the top politicians of our time. He argues that 'the ultimate icon should be a political leader due to the commitment of their desire to be of service to their community, to their society, or to their nation'.

Dermot O'Leary believes that it is exploration that has had the most profound effect on the world around us and our place in it: 'Explorers have taken us on a journey from conquest to understanding. The work of explorers has changed how we see our world and ourselves'. 

Chris Packham argues that a scientist should be crowned winner because 'whatever the century threw at us, scientists found a way to save the day. I want to celebrate their genius and show how, through great personal sacrifice, they were able to propel humanity forwards.'

Kathleen Turner wants an entertainer to win the public's vote: 'They may not be leaders - but they still led the way.' She argues that it is the audience that turn entertainers into stars, which makes them 'icons in the truest sense - because they already belong to us'.

Sanjeev Bhaskar is fighting for an activist to be the icon of the 20th century because 'they were trailblazers who gave dignity to the debased and helped move power from the few to the many'. These were people, he says, 'that at great personal cost inspired thousands, millions to do the same as them'.

Clare Balding thinks a sports star should be crowned the public's icon because 'sport (...) is a true meritocracy which rewards achievement without favour or judgement. There are a few individuals in the last century who made the most of their moment in the spotlight to change the world around them and they made a difference to millions of others.'

Lily Cole argues that an artist or writer deserves to be voted the winner: 'I believe good artists - whether film-makers, writers, painters or sculptors - push the boundaries of our culture, reflecting the times and also signposting new directions for society.'

Who will the greatest icon be? Voting opens near the start of the programme and there will be two ways to cast your vote: by telephone (details are outlined during the final) or via the series website. The winner is announced at the end of the final.

Icons: The Greatest Person of the 20th Century: Series 1

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