Dame Kelly Holmes has been named Britain’s greatest female role model in a recent poll conducted by British Gas. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who won the 800m and 1,500m events at the 2004 Athens Games, topped the list compiled from responses by both adults and teenagers across the UK.

Holmes, honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005, is recognized not only for her athletic achievements but also for her wider contributions to society. Earlier this year, she received the Freedom of the City of London. She also publicly came out as gay in 2022, describing the experience as one of personal liberation.

The poll placed another Olympic champion, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, in second place, while the Princess of Wales ranked third. Actress Emma Watson and singer Adele completed the top five. Former England footballers Jill Scott and Alex Scott were jointly in seventh position. Other notable figures in the top ten include model Katie Piper, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, and TV personality Stacey Solomon.

Participants in the survey highlighted the significance of female role models in public life. Approximately one third of respondents expressed concern over the limited visibility of women in influential positions. Nearly all adults agreed on the importance of children seeing female role models as they grow up, with 90% advocating for increased representation of women in positions of power across sectors such as business, politics, sports, and medicine.

The study also revealed that two-thirds of parents feel that children’s media—including books, television, and films—do not adequately portray girls as ambitious and successful. Jill Scott, speaking on the importance of representation, noted the impact of seeing relatable figures in stories for young audiences, emphasizing that such visibility helps inspire future generations.

Women constitute 51% of the UK population, and while their presence in business and political leadership has been gradually rising, the findings suggest there is still work to be done to achieve equal visibility and influence across public life. The poll underscores ongoing discussions about gender representation and the need for wider platforms where girls and women can see examples of success and ambition.