Quarter of Brits think Churchill was a myth; over half think Sherlock Holmes really existed

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LONDON (AFP) - Britons are losing their grip on reality, according to a poll out Monday which showed that nearly a quarter think Winston Churchill was a myth while the majority reckon Sherlock Holmes was real.

The survey found that 47 percent thought the 12th century English king Richard the Lionheart was a myth.

And 23 percent thought World War II prime minister Churchill was made up. The same percentage thought Crimean War nurse Florence Nightingale did not actually exist.

Three percent thought Charles Dickens, one of Britain's most famous writers, is a work of fiction himself.

Indian political leader Mahatma Gandhi and Battle of Waterloo victor the Duke of Wellington also appeared in the top 10 of people thought to be myths.

Meanwhile, 58 percent thought Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional detective Holmes actually existed; 33 percent thought the same of W. E. Johns' fictional pilot and adventurer Biggles.

UKTV Gold television surveyed 3,000 people.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080204/od_af...ehistoryoffbeat

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

At least I'm not in the 25%.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

At least I'm not in the 25%.

Me either. And I'm not even British.

[frustrated1 0]

they could only hope that Gandhiji was a myth...

[mawilson 2,133]

Well, there is a Sherlock Holmes Museum (at number 239) and shop on Baker Street.

[Alex & Rachel 78]

While 3,000 is a fairly decent survey size (as a lot of these polls usually consist of only 100 people or so!) I have to wonder who they surveyed and where.

[pedroh 21]

Pedro > Sherlock Holmes

[PlatyPius 5]

While 3,000 is a fairly decent survey size (as a lot of these polls usually consist of only 100 people or so!) I have to wonder who they surveyed and where.

I think they all lived in Wally-Shire. Or maybe it was Chav-ville....I can't remember.

[pedroh 21]

chav-ville hahahahaha

[PlatyPius 5]

It amuses me; seeing US actors and other people wearing the traditional Burberry gear and thinking that they're cool.

"I haz Burr-Berry gear!"

[Mags 112]

The people surveyed watch UK Gold. Whaddya expect? Viewers of that channel are watching re-runs of programmes that are 10 years old and probably still think the Queen Vic is run by Dirty Den.

[Ban Hammer 12,839]

great britain is a myth.

Edited February 4, 2008 by charlesandnessa