The double Olympic champion topped a poll of women, with fellow athletics legend Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill in second place
Dame Kelly Holmes has raced ahead of the Princess of Wales and Adele to be crowned Britain’s most inspirational female role model.
The double Olympic champion topped a poll of women, with fellow athletics legend Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill in second place. Kate, Emma Watson and Adele completed the top five. But our footballing Lionesses were also roaring up the rankings, with Euro 2022 winner Jill Scott coming sixth and former England ace Alex Scott seventh.
Jill, 39, said it’s vital for youngsters to have sporting heroes they can identify with. She said: “Growing up, I didn’t always see footballers like me in the books I read. I know how important it is for young people to see themselves in the stories they read.”
Katie Piper, Paralympic swimming champ Ellie Simmonds and Stacey Solomon also made the top 10.
Other famous faces making the list of 30 included Dame Mary Berry, Kate Winslet, Olivia Colman, Claudia Winkleman, Jodie Comer and Queen Camilla.
But the British Gas survey found more than a third of Brits believe there are still too few visible female role models in public life.
A huge 97% said it was important for children to grow up seeing inspirational women, while 90% wanted more women in positions of influence.
And 66% of parents reckon books, TV shows and films do not feature enough girls aspiring to be successful and ambitious.
Among girls themselves, Taylor Swift was the biggest inspiration, picked by 60%, ahead of Billie Eilish on 32% and Olivia Rodrigo on 30%.
The poll was commissioned by British Gas to mark the launch of a children’s book series promoting women’s football.
TOP 30 FEMALE ROLE MODELS
Dame Kelly Holmes – 36%
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill – 34%
Catherine, Princess of Wales – 30%
Emma Watson – 30%
Adele – 30%
Jill Scott – 29%
Alex Scott – 29%
Katie Piper – 27%
Ellie Simmonds – 26%
Stacey Solomon – 24%
Dame Mary Berry – 22%
Kate Winslet – 21%
Hannah Waddingham – 19%
Dame Sarah Gilbert – 19%
Nadiya Hussain – 19%
Olivia Colman – 19%
Emma Raducanu – 17%
Dame Deborah James – 16%
Leah Williamson – 15%
Deborah Meaden – 15%
Dina Asher-Smith – 13%
Jodie Comer – 13%
Fearne Cotton – 13%
Zoe Ball – 13%
Claudia Winkleman – 13%
Nicola Adams – 12%
Raye – 11%
Lola Young – 10%
Queen Camilla – 10%
Beth Mead – 10%