Top 20 Most Beloved British Celebs

#20: Konnie Huq

Blue Peter first aired in 1958, making it the oldest childrens TV show still running. One of the longest-serving and most loved presenters was Konnie Huq, who was the face of the show from 1997 to 2008. This has made her one of Britains most loved presenters. Outside of Blue Peter, shes presented loads of shows, like Top of the Pops and The Xtra Factor. Did you know shes also a successful writer? Shes written 3 childrens books, alongside the Black Mirror episode Fifteen Million Merits. Interestingly, shes married to the shows creator Charlie Brooker.

#19: Alison Hammond

Hammonds career started in 2002, when she became a Big Brother contestant. Even though she was evicted second, it kickstarted a long career in television for Hammond. In just over twenty years, she went from being a reality TV star to a national treasure. Now, she presents both This Morning and The Great British Bake Off. The sheer abundance of programs she presents serves as a testament to how much the nation loves her. Shes endlessly charming, with a warm, relatable personality that makes her a delight to watch. We all hope she continues to keep bringing such joy and passion to our TV screens as long as possible.

#18: Benedict Cumberbatch

After graduating from university, Cumberbatch went on to act in Shakespearean plays. Soon after, he made his way into film and television, eventually landing major roles by the mid-2000s. One of his earliest big roles was as Stephen Hawking in Hawking. In 2010, he played the titular character in Moffats Sherlock adaptation, which made him an international sensation. Since then, hes been hired for a variety of major Hollywood blockbusters. One of the most famous was the hero Doctor Strange, making him a major character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

#17: Dawn French

As one half of French and Saunders, Dawn French became a pioneer of British comedy. Her sketches, parodies, and delivery make her an icon. By the turn of the century, she was a household name. This was largely due to playing the lead character in The Vicar of Dibley, Geraldine Granger. The show was such a hit that 12.3 million viewers watched its final episode. Shes a multi-talented icon, who acts, writes, does theatre, writes novels, and is brilliant at everything she does. French isnt as prominent as she was in the 90s and 2000s, but shes still loved by the nation regardless.

#16: Matt Smith

The Eleventh Doctor had huge shoes to fill, replacing David Tennants adored Doctor. As soon as we saw his debut, everyone agreed he was a phenomenal successor. No matter what role hes playing, hes delightful to watch, with a charming demeanor and an approachable personality. Its a type of likability that translates both on and off-screen. Since Doctor Who, his most famous roles include Prince Philip in The Crown, alongside Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon. These roles have cemented him as an international star, with Smith regularly landing roles in Hollywood blockbusters.

#15: Olivia Colman

Colman came to our screens in the early 2000s, acting alongside icons David Mitchell and Robert Webb. Her first role was Bruiser, but her most memorable early role was Peep Shows Sophie. She played the role amazingly well, an early sign of how acclaimed shed eventually become. Colman went on to take roles outside comedy. Her portrayal of Queen Anne in the 2018 picture The Favourite was so outstanding she bagged an Oscar for Best Actress. Another Queen she played was Elizabeth II in The Crown, another highly praised performance. Now that we think about it, none of Colman's performances arent adored.

#14: Colin Firth

Mr. Darcy is the primary love interest of Austens Pride and Prejudice, and no man has played the role better than Colin Firth. His performance in the 1995 adaptation was remarkably popular. It was so loved, he began starring in major motion pictures. One of these included Bridget Jones Diary, where he reprised the role of Darcy in the modern day. Potentially his most famous role was as King George VI in The Kings Speech, where he did such a good job, that he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Hes the embodiment of British charm, making all his roles a joy to watch.

#13: Idris Elba

Combined, Elbas movies alone have made almost $10 billion globally. This is more than enough to make him one of the highest-grossing actors ever. He rose to fame in America playing Stringer Bell in The Wire, then his later role in BBCs Luther made him a hit in the UK too. He did such a brilliant job as Luther, he won a Golden Globe. Elba additionally joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2011, playing Norse god Heimdall in the original Thor. Hilariously, his most famous performance was as Knuckles the Echidna in the recent Sonic movies. Elba loved the role so much, he wore Knuckles gloves while recording his lines.

#12: Sir Billy Connolly

Our first Scotsman makes the list, and who else would it be except for the Big Yin himself? He rose to fame in the 70s, after pivoting from folk singing to comedy. Since then, numerous polls ranked Sir Connolly as the greatest stand-up comedian ever, praise few can dispute. His storytelling style, sharp Scottish wit, and phenomenal delivery are unparalleled. He brought working-class Scottish humor to the wider world, something he cant be thanked enough for. By the 2000s, hed featured in a ton of blockbusters, like Muppet Treasure Island and Pocahontas. Tragically, in 2013 he was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. The condition led to his retirement from comedy in 2018, so now he focuses on artwork, which gives him great joy.

#11: Sir Paul McCartney

Like many bass players, McCartney started as a guitarist, but was relegated to bass later on. He was a founding member of The Beatles, which resulted in him becoming one of historys most successful songwriters. His career didnt end when The Beatles did, he kept going solo and with the Wings, writing a variety of big hits in the 70s and 80s. McCartneys so celebrated, hes been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Hes not just a musician, but walking music history. So many songs penned by him are ingrained in pop culture, like Hey Jude and Yesterday. Few celebrities are as globally adored as McCartney.

#10: David Tennant

When you ask someone their favorite Doctor, the most common answers are Tom Baker and of course David Tennant. Its easy to see why, its almost impossible to match the energy Tennant brought to the role. To many, he is the definitive Doctor. Outside of Doctor Who, hes an acting powerhouse. From Shakespeares Hamlet to Broadchurchs Alec Hardy, theres no role he cant play. Outside of acting, he also gets good use out of his smooth Lothian accent. Hes been in several audio plays and audiobooks, with an endlessly comforting voice. Tennants adored by the nation, love he gives right back to all his fans.

#9: Sir Michael Palin

You cant write a list of beloved British celebs, without including a single Python. Out of all the Pythons, Palin has one of the most diverse careers. His absurd sense of humor contributed massively to Monty Pythons success, with Palin co-writing both Holy Grail and Life of Brian. After the Pythons disbanded, he went on to become an acclaimed writer and presenter. He mainly focuses on travel, releasing numerous beloved travel documentaries. At this point, there are probably fewer places he hasnt visited, than places he has. His wit, humbleness, and down-to-earth personality have made him loved by generations.

#8: Dame Mary Berry

When you think of British bakers, does anyone come to your mind sooner than Dame Mary Berry? Maybe Mr Kipling comes to mind, but hes not real so doesnt count. Berrys career in food spans over half a century. From writing cookbooks like the Baking Bible, to being an original judge on The Great British Bake Off, her influence on British food culture is immeasurable. Shes not just adored for her skills, but for her lovely personality, with a genuine warmth that always shines through. Berry has cemented herself as a permanent icon of British culture, becoming a source of joy for kitchens nationwide.

#7: Sir Patrick Stewart

Next, he's the first Yorkshireman on our list. Stewarts widely known for playing the cherished Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Beyond Star Trek, hes a seasoned actor, with a career that began in the Royal Shakespeare Company. By 1967, hed made his way onto Coronation Street, then landed major movie roles in the 70s. His time as Picard made him an international sensation. This helped him acquire even further stardom in the X-Men series, where he played the legendary Professor X. Outside of acting, hes also passionate about social justice, particularly with regard to domestic violence. Despite his fame, he remains humble and kind, earning him a special place in the hearts of Brits.

#6: Sir Stephen Fry

Frys four-decade-long career has made his name synonymous with sharp wit. Frys time in the spotlight began in 1989, when he and Hugh Laurie created Fry & Laurie for the BBC. Since then, hes ventured beyond the realms of sketch comedy. Frys a remarkably talented presenter, as proven by his 13 years on QI. Acting is another talent of his, and its not just comedies. He almost won a Golden Globe in 1997 for playing Oscar Wilde. In theatre, his acting is celebrated even more. Writing is another interest of his, with four novels and three autobiographies under his belt. Few performances of his arent a pleasure to watch, earning him not just a knighthood - but a place in our top 20.

#5: Dame Helen Mirren

Mirrens first acting role was as Cleopatra in 1965, when she was only 18 years old. Now, over 60 years later, shes acquired an extremely impressive filmography. Mirrens awards are beyond impressive, with a total of 21 wins and 66 nominations. Shes the only actor who has won the Triple Crowns of Acting in both America and the UK. Her singular Oscar was won for playing Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen. Despite being in her 70s, shes got her fit firmly on the accelerator, still starring in films and TV every year.

#4: Sir Ian McKellen

Like a lot of these entries, McKellen began his career in Shakespeares plays. His stage debut was in 1961, then in the 70s he was a staple of the Royal Shakespeare Company. His talents earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in 1980, for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. Things only improved from there for Sir Ian, who is now a household name globally. His defining roles are easily Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, followed by the villainous Magneto in the X-Men franchise. Outside of acting, hes a champion of LGBTQ+ rights, cofounding Stonewall, a prominent LGBTQ+ lobby group in the UK. As such, hes become one of Britains finest national treasures.

#3: Dame Judi Dench

Stage, television, and film are mediums in which Dame Judi Dench doesnt just dabble; she absolutely owns them. Shes been an icon of British screen and theatre for decades, since her first performance in 1957. In the seven decades since, shes received 204 award nominations and 56 wins. One was an Oscar for playing Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love. Whether shes playing a monarch or a regular person, Dench will nail the part, blinding audiences with her talent. Additionally, her career is still going strong, proving that age isnt a barrier to excellence.

#2: Rowan Atkinson

A master of comedy, Atkinson can play any role thrown at him, and make it hilarious without failing. From the bumbling Blackadder to the ridiculous Johnny English, Atkinsons performances are never shy of comedy gold. Of course, we cant forget his iconic character Mr. Bean, who turned Atkinson into a global sensation. His diverse career has cemented his status as a comedic genius. Making an audience laugh without words is a huge challenge for most people, but not Atkinson. Hes a master of physical comedy, using simple expressions and gestures to make a whole room laugh. Atkinsons impact on not only British comedy, but global comedy, is undeniably huge.

#1: Sir David Attenborough

There was no competition for the top spot. Sir David isnt just a British icon, hes a champion of planet Earth. Not just for humans, but for every single living thing that calls our planet home. For decades, hes educated, inspired, and captivated the world with his passion for nature. His lust for life shines through his mindblowing documentaries, like Planet Earth and The Blue Planet. Attenboroughs fame never gets to his head, he always prioritizes the planet and all its beautiful creatures before anything else. His integrity, dedication, and kindness make him one of the most loved humans alive. Attenborough brings the whole globe together in awe at the beauty of our home, something Earth will be eternally grateful for.


Who is your favorite British celebrity, and did they make the list? Let us know in the comments below!