Icons - Season 1

During his illustrious broadcasting career, Sir Trevor McDonald has interviewed many of the top politicians of our time. In the first episode of Icons, he argues that a political leader deserves to be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century. From the darkness of 1940s Blitz Britain to a hopeful new South Africa, Sir Trevor tells a story of four iconic leaders: Winston Churchill, Franklin D Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela.

Dermot O'Leary retraces the steps of four iconic explorers: Ernest Shackleton Gertrude Bell, Neil Armstrong and Jane Goodall. His journey takes him from the icy waters of Antarctica to frontiers of the British Empire, from lush Tanzanian forests to outer space. Dermot argues that an explorer should be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century.

Chris Packham learns about the very best and the very worst of the 20th Century and the incredible legacy of four scientists: Marie Curie, Alan Turing, Albert Einstein and Tu Youyou. Chris argues that a scientist should be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century.

Kathleen Turner celebrates four great entertainers: Charlie Chaplin, Billie Holiday, Marilyn Monroe and David Bowie. Kathleen travels from Harlem to Hollywood to London to learn how new technology in music and film brought new stars to the fore. Kathleen is passionate that an entertainer should be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century.

Sanjeev Bhaskar learns about the powerful legacy of four top activists: Emmeline Pankhurst, Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Keller and Martin Luther King Jr. In a century where empires gave up their colonies and old prejudices were overturned, Sanjeev argues that an activist should be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century.

Clare Balding learns about the extraordinary talent of four top sportspeople of our time: Muhammad Ali, Pelé, Billie Jean King and Tanni Grey-Thompson. At the beginning of the 20th Century, often only the richest had the time and money to commit to sport. Clare learns about how sport has become an inclusive and unifying force. Clare believes that a sports star should be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century.

Lily Cole celebrates the achievements of four great artists and writers: Virginia Woolf, Pablo Picasso, Alfred Hitchcock and Andy Warhol. In a century of incredible change, Lily believes that an artist or writer should be crowned the public's icon of the 20th Century.

All seven celebrity advocates encouraging the nation to vote for the finalist in their category.