National Treasure - I don't think so

Didn't Julian Clary call himself a 'national trinket'? There's a sense of humour.

The late Thora Hird now she wa what I would call a national treasure her acting was just brilliant timing to a tee also her one liner were so funny loved her in old movies and in loving memory and last of the summer wine.

rosesarered....Me too but would that person truly be emblematic of our national identity lol.

Roses lol.
Did anyone see the series 'National Treasure' on channel 4 with Robbie Coltrane? That national treasure was hiding a very nasty dark side.

I would have a drink, any day with a short, witty, face painted Irishman.

So if we think of Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett and David Bowie as national treasures does that mean that short, witty, face painted Irishmen are emblematic of our nations identity. That says a lot about British culture

Cambridge - my keyboard seems to have a problem with 'g' these days.

This is what the Cambride dictionary says:

National treasure - noun
an artefact, institution, or public figure regarded as being emblematic of a nation's cultural heritage or identity.

Treasure means a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects. So I guess you could say that the Crown Jewels are a national treasure but a person? The likes of Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett and David Bowie were talented in their fields and brought a lot of pleasure to many people but that was their job for which they were very well paid. If we needed to we could sell the Crown Jewels (shhhh don't let Teresa May know) but we couldn't sell a person.

We have lost National Treasures this year, Sir Terry and Ronnie Corbett, David Bowie. I don't like Barbara Windsor. But I do think that some older "celebs" (a term I also hate) should give up before they lose it, David Attenborough, Brucie, (Phil Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Davina). I do get fed up of seeing the same old faces from the same pack of people, Ant and Dec, Stephen Mulhern, Rylan, Fern Cotton, they are all from the same clan, boring really. I don't watch them now.

Can't stand any of the "Attenboroughs" so definitely wouldn't put them in the frame. Agree Barbara Windsor has a very dodgy past so not her either.

Maybe (and it's a big maybe) my list would include Judi Dench, and Julie Walters. Can't think of anyone else at the moment. Definitely no politicians from any side .

Isn't "National Treasure" just a showbiz term nowadays? A bit like most things being sensationalised for media content/sales? It's all about labelling IMO.

National treasure = twit

I must agree with vampirequeen about "The People's" anything. I blame Tony Blair for starting it with Diana.

Going to be quiet soon, Nanabigboobs? We can all get some sleep then

Like vampirequeen I really dislike the term "national treasure" it is horribly patronising.
Just as bad is "The nations favourite" whatever.

I used to agree with regard to David Attenborough but I've gone off him in the last few years because of his very anti-human ideas.

The sooner the better??????
No offence meant !

and I might be gone quietsoon.

I have ambitions tobe a national treasure but it must bevery hard.

It's certainly a very over used phrase. The only people I can think of at the moment who might qualify are Judi Dench and David Attenborough. Both people who will leave the world an emptier place when they die.

thatbags you are so young ! go on, admit it, you are only forty five.
Alan Bennet is usually called a National Treasure ( probably much to his annoyance.)

I had to look up Barbara Windsor. I can't be the only gransnetter who couldn't give a rat's fart who famous people are or why they are famous unless they've done something really impressive. I do seem to be the only one who admits it though.

If Ed Balls is called a national treasure for dancing on Strictly (never watched it, mainly because of not having a telly, but I don't think I'd watch it even if I did), then clearly the meaning of the phrase "national treasure" is fairly close to nonsense. Scoffing, as in the OP, strikes me as the only sensible response.

I hate 'National Treasure' and the 'People's anything'.

Oh a joke , thought he had been given some award