Daley Thompson tops poll as the sporting hero pub goers would like to share a pint with

04-Aug-2012 - Last updated on 11-Mar-2017 at 21:15 GMT

Daley Thompson is the British sporting hero the nation’s pub goers would most like to share a pint with down their local, says new research from CAMRA on eve of the Great British Beer Festival.

This is according to a poll of over 650 pubgoers across the UK aged 18-65 released on the eve of the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF).

Thompson pipped Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes (in 2nd and 3rd place respectively) to the accolade.

Other sportsmen and women featuring high in the poll included Linford Christie (4th), Sir Chris Hoy (5th) and Rebecca Adlington (6th).

Tony Jerome, CAMRA head of marketing, said: "There’s been a lot of sporting success this summer, so we thought it’d be interesting to see which legend, past or present, pubgoers wouldn’t mind treating to a pint of great British beer. It appears people haven’t forgotten Thompson’s amazing athletic feats from the 1980’s, so I doubt he ever needs to pick up the tab at his local!

"Mr Thompson would be more than welcome to join us at the GBBF this week if he has time in his busy schedule for a quick pint. Being a Londoner he’ll be pleased to know there are seven London breweries on the bars, including Fuller’s who will be bringing their own stand."

Greg Mulholland MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group, is urging all Olympic attendees wanting to learn more about Britain’s iconic beer and pub industry to pay a visit to the GBBF.

Mulholland said: "I am very much looking forward to getting along to the Olympic triathlon in Hyde Park on Tuesday to see two of my constituents, the Brownlee brothers, hopefully winning medals in the men’s final.

"Following the triathlon I will be getting along to open the event and enjoy a fantastic range of real ale from across the length and breadth of the country, something LOCOG have sadly failed to promote during London 2012."