David Bowie is voted the greatest entertainer of the 20th century

18 January 2019, 13:11 | Updated: 16 January 2024, 11:22

The British public have chosen David Bowie as the greater entertainer of the 20th century.

In a poll conducted by BBC Two for its factual series Icons, members of the public selected the legendary singer ahead of Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, and Billie Holiday in the entertainer category.

Bowie will now compete against the likes of Nelson Mandela and Ernest Shackleton in a second poll that will find the greatest overall icon of the 20th century.

Actress Kathleen Turner spoke about each nominee in the entertainer category, and said of David Bowie: “[He] raised the creative bar for all entertainers and that is why he truly deserves to be crowned the ultimate icon of the 20th century by the British public.”