Documentary-maker David Attenborough has been voted Britain’s most trustworthy figure in a public poll.

Freuds asked 4,000 Britons to vote on a list of 84 well-known people, judging them on traits such as likeability, trust and courage, to compile its new annual Freuds Heroes Index poll.

Sir David, who has been the face and voice of natural history programme for 60 years, came out top on the trust index, polling at fourth overall.

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Falklands War veteran Simon Weston came top in the overall hero category.

He said he was “flattered and humbled” by the news that he had topped list of heroes.

"True heroism is about risking your life to save others who are not in a position to help themselves – often people you don’t even know,” Weston said.

"Our soldiers do that every day. It is their duty."

Weston suffered 46 per cent burns to his body when he was aboard the Sir Galahad when it was destroyed at Bluff Cove in the Falklands Islands in 1982. His recovery entailed numerous operations and he is now well-known for his charity work.

Physicist Stephen Hawking came second and eight of the top 20 individuals were sports stars, including Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and Olympic athlete Jessica Ennis.

In a breakdown of individual traits the Duchess of Cambridge, who scooped 17th place, was voted the most likeable UK figure, while Boris Johnson ranked highest out of the politicians featured in the list, coming in at number 55, ahead of both Tony Blair (66) and David Cameron (68).

The Freuds Heroes Index in full below:

1 Simon Weston, Army Veteran

2 Stephen Hawking, Physicist and Author

3 Ellie Simmonds, Paralympian Swimmer

4 David Attenborough, Broadcaster and Naturalist

5 Jessica Ennis-Hill, Athlete

6 Mo Farah, Athlete

7 Richard Branson, Entrepreneur

8 Chris Hoy, Cyclist

9 Steve Redgrave, Rower

10 Judi Dench, Actress

11 HM The Queen

12 HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge

13 Andy Murray, Tennis Player

14 David Beckham, Former Footballer

15 Trevor McDonald, Journalist and Broadcaster

16 Joanna Lumley, Actress and Campaigner

17 HRH Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

18 Bradley Wiggins, Cyclist

19 Bob Geldof, Musician and Activist

20 Brian Cox, Physicist and Broadcaster

21 Doreen Lawrence, Campaigner

22 Jonny Wilkinson, Rugby Player

23 JK Rowling, Author

24 Paul McCartney, Musician

25 Stephen Fry, Actor and Broadcaster

26 Jamie Oliver, Chef and Broadcaster

27 Sebastian Coe, Politician and Former Athlete

28 Alan Sugar, Businessman

29 Gary Lineker, Pundit and Former Footballer

30 Jon Snow, Journalist and Broadcaster

31 Maggie Smith, Actress

32 Alex Ferguson, Former Football Manager

33 Lewis Hamilton, Racing Driver

34 Gary Barlow, Musician

35 Daniel Craig, Actor

36 Elton John, Musician

37 Martin Lewis, Journalist and Consumer Expert

38 Karren Brady, Businesswoman

39 Andrew Flintoff, Cricketer

40 Clare Balding, Journalist and TV Presenter

41 Amir Khan, Professional Boxer

42 Bono, Musician and Activist

43 Katie Piper, Campaigner and TV Presenter

44 HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

45 Gareth Thomas, Former Rugby Player

46 Ant & Dec, TV Presenters and Comedians

47 Rory McIlroy, Golfer

48 David Haye, Professional Boxer

49 Victoria Beckham, Businesswoman,

Fashion Designer and Singer

50 Mick Jagger, Musician

51 Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

52 Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Businessman

53 Gok Wan, TV Presenter and Fashion Consultant

54 Benedict Cumberbatch, Actor

55 Boris Johnson, Mayor of London

56 Stella McCartney, Fashion Designer

57 David Blunkett, Former Politician

58 Jo Frost, Nanny and TV Personality

59 Simon Cowell, Music Executive and

Talent Competition Judge

60 Kirstie Allsopp, TV Presenter

61 Wayne Rooney, Footballer

62 Cheryl Cole, Musician and TV Personality

63 Roy Hodgson, Football Manager

64 Jeremy Clarkson, Journalist and Broadcaster

65 Jeremy Paxman, Journalist and Broadcaster

66 Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister

67 Gordon Ramsay, Chef and TV Presenter

68 David Cameron, Prime Minister

69 Theresa May, Home Secretary

70 Dizzee Rascal, Musician

71 Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party

72 Philip Green, Businessman

73 Kate Moss, Model

74 John Prescott, Former Deputy Prime Minister

75 Ken Livingstone, Former Mayor of London

76 Russell Brand, Comedian and Actor

77 Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland

78 Terry Leahy, Businessman

79 Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party

80 Bob Crow, Trade Union Leader

81 Gerry Adams, Northern Irish Politician

82 George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer

83 George Galloway, MP for the Respect Party

84 Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education