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Sir David Attenborough ‘most popular person with British public’

Sir David Attenborough topped the poll (Chris Radburn/PA)
Sir David Attenborough topped the poll (Chris Radburn/PA)

Sir David Attenborough is the most popular person with the British public, according to a new survey by YouGov.

The naturalist and television presenter beat Tom Hanks to the prize of being most loved by the British public, according to data compiled by the market research and data firm using a new popularity tracking tool.

Attenborough received an approval rating of 87%, with Hanks placing second on 84%.

Graham Norton Show – London
Tom Hanks was also a popular choice (Isabel Infantes/PA)

The study found American film director Steven Spielberg was the third most liked individual, with an approval rating of 82%.

Roald Dahl, best known for penning Matilda, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and The BFG, ranked fourth with a rating of 81%.

Morgan Freeman shared fifth place with actress Dame Judi Dench as the pair earned an approval rating of 80%.

Robin Williams sat 1% behind at 79%. 

Comedian Rowan Atkinson, boxer Muhammad Ali and actor Harrison Ford also appear in the top 10.

People working in the entertainment industry generally ranked highest, with 21 of the top 25 men and women working as actors, writers, presenters or in similar fields.

The survey also indicated the Duke of Sussex is more popular among the public than his grandmother, with Harry receiving a 77% approval rating compared with the Queen’s rating of 74%.

No other member of the royal family appeared in the top 25.

The YouGov rating system also found that half of the 10 most popular television documentaries ever had been voiced by Attenborough.

These included Planet Earth, which received a 76% approval rating, and Blue Planet II, which received 75%.

Victoria Waldersee, of YouGov, said: “David Attenborough’s been a household name for several generations and his status as a national treasure is cemented by this data.

“His groundbreaking nature documentaries have been loved the world over for seven decades so it’s understandable that he’s topped this list of the most popular people in Britain compiled from millions of responses.”