Seven more unlikely national treasures to have emerged since the Nineties

THE NEW DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

Chris Packham

A kids’ TV host with silly hair and a twitching passion becomes the beacon of British springtime. Will he be on-air from the Galápagos in his nineties? Don’t bet against it.

THE NEW ALAN BENNETT

Jarvis Cocker

Like Bennett, Cocker is an astute and acerbic satirist of modern British life whose biting wit can’t help but be undermined by his cosy, familiar Yorkshire accent. Ooh, lovely.

THE NEW ALAN HANSEN

Gary Neville

Housewives’ favourite Hansen helped open up the Premier League on MotD, just as Neville’s astute commentary has won him plaudits. Hansen, though, wisely avoided managerial waters.

THE NEW FRED DIBNAH

Michael Portillo

A Bolton steeplejack and a Hertfordshire Tory MP might not have much in common, but it’s amazing what loving trains can do for one’s profile, as both might attest (if Dibnah was alive).

THE NEW TIM HENMAN

Andy Murray

Though both have lent their names to the same landmass at Wimbledon, it’s agreed Murray’s two singles titles there somewhat eclipse his predecessor reaching the quarter-finals that time.

THE NEW

ROD STEWART

Robbie Williams

Rod Stewart is your grandma’s favourite strutting pop-rocker with a twinkle in his eye and clutch of excellent karaoke-classic tunes in his repertoire. Robbie Williams is your mum’s.

THE NEW SEAN CONNERY

Daniel Craig

With the slightest of sideways smiles, Connery gave James Bond a charisma it seemed could never be matched. Until Craig’s iteration of 007 — the coolest yet, no smile required.