Britain’s high feminine position fashions revealed from Adele to Princess Kate

Olympic gold medallist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill tops the list alongside a number of other athletes, as well as the Princess of Wales, Adele and Emma Watson

Olympic gold medallist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill has been named Britain’s top female role model.

The champion, one of the stars of the London 2012 games, beat off tough competition from fellow sports stars Jill Scott, Dame Kelly Holmes and Alex Scott to take first place.

The Princess of Wales was also in the top ten, in a new poll conducted by British Gas, alongside Adele, Emma Watson and paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

The research also found that 97% of adults believe it’s important for children to grow up seeing visible female role models – but 34% say there aren’t enough in public life.

That gap continues into children’s literature, TV and film with six in ten believing they do not show enough girls aspiring to be successful, passionate and ambitious.

Jill Scott said she did not see many women in sport in literature and has teamed up with British Gas to launch The Things’ Football Adventures.

As a proud, official partner of WSL Football, the energy provider is launching this brand-new illustrated children’s book series with a first-of-its-kind ‘flip it over’ format: two front covers, one per team, meeting in the middle.

Jill said: “Growing up, I didn’t always see footballers like me in the books I read, so being part of The Things’ Football Adventures really means a lot to me. I know how important it is for young people to see themselves in the stories they read and the players they look up to.

“Representation matters, on the page just as much as it does on the pitch and I hope this book inspires the next generation to get out there, enjoy football and believe they can be part of it too.”

The debut title, Match Day Mix-Up!, follows the Thing family at a Manchester United v Brighton and Hove Albion match and will be available as a digital download, alongside a video of Euro 2022-winning Lioness Jill Scott reading the book, who has also written its foreword.

The research shows just how much that representation matters: 92% of people think seeing female footballers in books, TV or the media could encourage more girls to take up football or sport, while 96% would like to see more children’s stories featuring girls as footballers, athletes and sporting heroes.

British Gas is encouraging families to discover women’s football for themselves, whether by heading to a local football club or supporting from home.

James Corcoran, brand partnerships director at British Gas, said: “Women’s football has captured the nation, and we want everyone to feel part of that story.

“As a proud, official partner of WSL Football, we’re delighted to launch The Things’ Football Adventures, a brand-new series of children’s books that brings the game to life for the next generation.”

“With support from the inspirational Jill Scott, our goal is simple: get more families excited about women’s football, whichever team they support, and turn today’s readers into tomorrow’s fans.”

TOP 10 FEMALE ROLE MODELS ACCORDING TO THE NATION:

1. Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill (37%)

2. Dame Kelly Holmes (34%)

3. Alex Scott (32%)

4. Adele (29%)

5. Emma Watson (29%)

6. Jill Scott (29%)

7. The Princess of Wales (27%)

8. Ellie Simmonds (26%)

9. Katie Piper (22%)

10. Kate Winslet (21%)

To download the book or watch the book reading by Jill Scott, visit: https://britishgas.co.uk/football-adventures