Emil Zatopek
He was a runner, nicknamed the "Czech Locomotive". He won three gold medals at the 1952 Olympics – the 5,000m, 10,000m and the marathon (the first one he'd ever run). He was way ahead of his time – he basically invented interval training [alternating high-intensity exercise with low-intensity recovery periods] and, when he was in the army, he volunteered for sentry duty so he could run on the spot. So he was a cool bloke but possibly not so great to race against. At the start line of the 1956 Olympic marathon, he turned to the other guys and said, "Men, today we die a little." You'd think, "Did you really have to say that?"
Charles Darwin
It's one thing to explore but another to do it for genuine scientific reasons. Let's face it, it wasn't like going away with the BBC – it was living as tough as any explorer while doing world-changing research. Then, of course, he had to stand by evolution, despite much criticism. The strength of character that took was phenomenal. It is standing up for what you believe in and then proving it. Incredible.
Sir Ernest Shackleton
He was on his trans-antarctic Expedition for over a year and a half – which included two winters – and no one died. His decisions and leadership were absolutely awesome – that's how he kept those men alive. I have often wondered how I would have coped – not very well I suspect is the answer. I was there for six weeks.
Brandon Flowers
I love the Killers, but what I admire about the singer Brandon Flowers is the way he operates. He is the front man of one of the world's biggest bands, been in the spotlight for over 10 years, but he has stayed exactly who he is. He's a dad of three, he doesn't drink - he totally kicks against the stereotype of the rock star. He will have been under huge pressure to change and he hasn't done it. I think he's amazing.
Johnson Beharry
Johnson is the first living person to have been awarded the Victoria Cross in over 30 years, due to his incredible courage rescuing comrades under fire in two incidents in Iraq, the second after he'd been badly injured. I have met Johnson as we are involved with the brain injury charity Headway, and he is incredible. The most amazing thing about him is his assumption that everyone would have done the same thing. My assumption is that I would have hightailed it out of there. He's a great role model – no arrogance at all – and a top bloke.
