National treasures. Who would you choose?

Alan Bennett, though I’m sure he would absolutely hate to be thought of as such!

Certainly overused. Sir David is the only one that I can think of who really deserves this title.

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.

Couldn’t agree more Scribbles.

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.

And smelling of mothballs.

I don’t think you can create a national treasure; it’s something that creeps into the nations consciousness over a period of time and we suddenly find that someone that we really like is adored by lots of other people, too. Mackenzie Crooke imo is on his way to becoming one; his tv series have brought so much pleasure to people in such a gentle way.

Paul O'Grady was definitely a national treasure for me.

Not Sir David, I find him rather smug. Michael Palin is less rarefied, so I would choose him.

Another one for Alan Bennet also David Hockney and Julie Walters.

Is it Stephen Fry or Julian Clary that called themselves a national trinket?

Alan Bennett comes first for me, followed by Sir David (who I don’t find at all smug). I might include Stephen Fry.

In the recent past, Maggie Smith.

Julie Walters, yes.
Good call

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.

Def Alan Bennet but also Michael Frayn, love their books and plays.
David Attenborough comes top of the list tho.
Michael Palin too and maybe Michael Portillo too ( lots of Michaels!)
I don’t really like Judy Dench tbh or Stephen Fry but many do like them.
Toby Jones maybe.

Mary Berry.

Ronnie Corbett - everything about him used to make me laugh….

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

I’m going for Ian Hislop.

Rick Stein

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

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.

Have I got to choose someone?
😁

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

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

Each to his own * Grandma70s*