Homer Simpson set to top greatest American poll

Doh! Homer Simpson looks likely to beat Abraham Lincoln to the title of the greatest ever American in a BBC poll, figures showed today.

The bumbling head of the Simpsons clan has taken almost a fifth of the votes in the BBC News Online poll, with the 16th president of the US managing just over 16%.

The poll has been held to tie in with a BBC2 debate What The World Thinks of America to be screened on Tuesday at 9pm.

Before Homer cracks open the Duff Beer in celebration, votes can still be cast over the coming days (at www.bbc.co.uk/america).

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King is in third position, ahead of former presidents such as George Washington.

Other quirky choices to have made the top ten include Mr T, famed for his role in TV’s The A Team, and music legend Bob Dylan.

The 90-minute debate will be presented by BBC political editor Andrew Marr and will look at opinions about the US’s position in the world.

It will bring together national broadcasters from around the world in a live satellite link-up.

The top choices so far for the greatest American:

1. Homer Simpson (19.41%)

2. Abraham Lincoln (16.35%)

3. Martin Luther King (15.13%)

4. Thomas Jefferson (9.97%)

5. George Washington (8.37%)

6. Franklin D Roosevelt (6.97%)

7. Benjamin Franklin (6.74%)

8. Mr T (6.25%)

9. Bob Dylan (5.89%)

10. Bill Clinton (4.91%)