by Colin Morley

Created on: September 16, 2008

Paul Potts and Lewis Hamilton. Two very diverse characters with diverse claims to fame. But why should they be "unlikely" British heroes. Here I am going to risk my neck and give a version of the truth which may not be popular in all quarters.

Paul Potts appeared in a television show called 'Britain's Got Talent' in which talented amateurs from all walks of life competed with each other in front of a celebrity panel and who then won telephone votes from the television audience to decide an outright winner. Comedians set themselves against jugglers; impressionists against singers; dancers against novelty acts.

Paul sang opera. Not only did he sing opera, he sang beautifully. He sang as though he had been training all his life and he won over the audience. So he rightfully took his place ahead of many other acts which although good were not so good. Yet he is an "unlikely" British hero? Hold that thought in your head for just a few moments.

Lewis Hamilton emerged on the Formula One Grand Prix circuit and during his very first year proved to be one of the greatest racing drivers. He showed us how he could control his car in adverse weather conditions. He showed us how he could thread his way through slower cars with masterful planning at high speed. All this in spite of his relative lack of previous experience and very young age. At the end of his first racing season in 2007, he finished an impressive second behind Kimi Raikkonen. He worked very hard and produced some finely honed driving skills to earn his place in the top ranking world racing drivers. Yet Hamilton is described as an "unlikely" British hero?

In these days of media management and instant gratification, we expect certain things of our national "heroes". We expect them to be talented, of course. But on top of that we expect them to follow certain 'norms'. We expect them to be physically attractive, without any excess of bodily fat. We expect them to have perfect teeth and a face which is attractive to the camera and pleasing to the eye and (dare I say this) we still expect them to be white!

Paul Potts is without question a brilliant and highly talented singer who is worthy of his fame and new-found fortune. Lewis Hamilton is one of the most talented young racing drivers the world has yet seen. Yet one is not good looking and the other is black. Just how "unlikely" is that? Are you ashamed of yourself, Britain? You damn well should be!

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