Mrs

[patsylabrador]

I'm not sure of the purpose of a Nation's sweetheart, but if we have to have one, I'd rather it not be Cheryl Cole. I don't follow celebrities lives very closely , so the only thing I really know about her is that she was found guilty of ABH after attacking a cleaner in a nightclub toilet.

That's enough information for me to want a different one. I would like a vote and I would pick someone who is nice and has some discernible talent. We have plenty of lovely, talented women in this country, and I wonder, could I pick a lovely, talented man instead?

[Space Chick]

Surely you'd want someone who could be a role model to the young, and be loved by young and old alike and I don't think that Cheryl Cole (wonder if she'll go back to Tweedy now her marriage is over ) fits the bill.

 

The only problem, I can't think of anyone who does fit that description

[earthmam1]

If i was picking a man(and on tele) I would pick someone like Ben Fogle. He seems nice, does lots of sporty things, clean cut (makes me sound like my mum) and a good role model Otherwise maybe someone like Simon Weston - very inspirational and again a good role model

 

Maybe I have chosen these though because I am getting on (fifty was a good year )

 

sue

[BeckyBoo]

I'd second Ben Fogle (but for entirely different reasons! ) other than that I can't think of anyone really either but I agree, Cheryl Cole doesn't fit. She's pretty enough but I think most people could be with all that time to go to the gym and after that amount of cosmetic altering. She's not the most talented person in the world, I feel sorry for her having been cheated on, but I would imagine there's a fair a number of people on here (me included) who have been cheated on at one time or another - that didn't earn me the sympathy of the nation!

 

BeckyBoo

[Christian]

I'd second Ben Fogle (but for entirely different reasons! )

 

I understand your logic entirely BB

 

Joanna Lumley would be my choice! Could listen to her voice for ages!

[earthmam1]

 

Joanna Lumley would be my choice! Could listen to her voice for ages!

 

I agree

[Cinnamon]

I think Cheryl Cole is a fine choice myself.

 

She has made her way from an impoverished background to become a popular singer (yes,she can sing) & presenter.

She is gorgeous,hard working,savvy & sreetwise. She has tried to make a marriage with a difficult man work,because she believes that marriage is for life.Shame he didn't have the same values

 

My only concern is that she is so tiny,which isn't a good image to portray,but apart from that I think she is great

 

At this point I must add that she isn't someone my daughters would aspire to be like,as she is too mainstream.

But I would rather her than Courtney Love ,Lily Allen,Kate Moss or some other wild rock chick

[patsylabrador]

I've been trying to decide who my alternatives would be. For women, from the entertainment world, I would pick Julia Bradbury, Michaela Strachan or Katherine Jenkins, and obviously Joanna Lumley. From sport I think Paula Radcliffe or the lovely newly discovered Amy Williams. From art, Tracey Emin who is a challenge I'll admit. For men, I think Ben Fogle and Simon Weston are great choices and I would add Ross Kemp and Louis Theroux who make some very thought provoking documentaries. From sport there are just too many men! Johnny Wilkinson would probably be my favourite though.

[Rhapsody]

*cough* points at avatar *cough*

[patsylabrador]

I completely forgot him. Absolutely!!

[Griffin]

I agree, can we pick somebody without a criminal record (in both senses LOL!) and who eats more than half a strawberry a day please? I certainly don't want any of my daughters to aspire to be like her. But like Space Chick, I can't think of anyone in the public eye they should look up to.

[WarrensWorld]

None of the above..... Sharmishla Chakrabarti and Jamie Oliver.

 

 

Ben Fogle, just the son of Julia Foster. The BBC was always run on nepotism.

[Griffin]

Ooooo Jamie Oliver is a good one!

[EmmaJC]

Emma Thompson. Nothing not to like about her

[bigmommasally]

Who decided Cheryl Cole was the Nation's sweetheart? Her media people?

 

How about Beth Tweddle?

 

[Seagazer]

I'd third or fourth Ben Fogle. Saw him last year at Goodwood and I ended up walking into a table because I didn't want to take my eyes off him He was there with his rather lovely wife too.

 

I'd also go along with Simon Weston, I vividly remember watching the programme about him from the Falklands war and all the pain he endured. My brother was in the navy at the time but thankfully only went out there towards the end although he had friends who were injured.

 

Simon has gone on to do so much outstanding work for charity, he is a real inspiration.

[sadietoo]

Another vote for Jamie Oliver here too...I'm not at all keen on Cheryl Cole..but perhaps its my age cos I really just don't get the whole celebrity thing at all..I still think people should actually have at least some talent and not just good PR manipulators to get them into the public eye. Like others have said it is really difficult to think of people you would like to propose, I can think of loads that I wouldn't want... I suppose Julie Waters, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Alison Steadman are all too old to be the nation's sweethearts but they would probably get my vote

[Looney]

I'm not sure I could pick just one person. And I'm not sure the criteria should be people who appear to be whiter than white that have never (in the public eye anyhow ) put a foot wrong. In my opinion someone to look up to can include someone that has done some things wrong in the past but has learnt from their errors and now sends out a positive message to others that you can make mistakes but turn things around for the better.

 

I just can't make my mind up who I would nominate!!

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Another vote for Jamie Oliver

 

But he has the mouth of a docker. He's famous for giving all cast and crew on his shoots really unsavoury names.

[WarrensWorld]

Another vote for Jamie Oliver

 

But he has the mouth of a docker. He's famous for giving all cast and crew on his shoots really unsavoury names.

But look what he's achieved an how quickly......

 

I've been on the end of Hughie Greens foul mouth, and Kenneth O'Connors language would make a fish wife swoon. No it's Jamie for me he helps underprivileged youngsters......

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Doesn't a sweetheart imply a bit of loveability though? I know some fantastico youth workers who are way more hands on than him, and cuter to boot.

[Chucky Mama]

I rather like Stephen Fry. The trouble is though that those that do the most don't court publicity and just get on with the job. There are so many working in local communities inspiring and encouraging with things like music, sport etc and we never get to hear of them. They do far more than the likes of Cheryl Cole. I think the chap that did 'The Choir' on TV was wonderful and what about the girl from Blue Peter and her world record Kayaking

[Cinnamon]

Oooooooooo - I know,I know - JOHN BARROWMAN

He is fabulous

[sadietoo]

I rather like Stephen Fry. :

 

I'd thought of him too..but thought he would cringe at being the Nation's sweetheart

 

I think the chap that did 'The Choir' on TV was wonderful and what about the girl from Blue Peter and her world record Kayaking

 

Couldn't agree more

[smanners]

Well I'm surprised no one has nominated David Tenant.

He was certainly loved by young and old

Other than that Joanna Lunmley or Julie Walters for me