[Z]

I never really thought I had any heroes until I properly thought about it. Growing up, I never wanted to be like anybody famous and I didn't aspire to have any particular job; I didn't want to be an astronaut or a fireman or any of those other clichés... it wasn't a conscious decision, I just didn't really think of my life in those sorts of terms...

But more recently I've realised that I do have heroes. It's probably a cliché and a bit cringe worthy in some respects, but my mum and dad are my main heroes firstly and foremostly...

I've always looked up to my mum for being incredibly resourceful and wonderfully talented. There's never been a moment where I've thought "my mum can't do ___" because she does genuinely seem to be able to do everything under the sun. I think it's because she had to fend for herself and contribute towards her family's income from the moment she turned 16, but whether it be sewing, cooking, cleaning or saving money to sketching, painting, photography or designing; she just has this incredible flair for life and I've always admired that... I don't know if I can claim that I've learned a lot from her, because in a lot of ways I still completely rely on her to help me out, probably because she can do everything and I've never been forced to do anything I didn't want to do in life, not really anyway... but my mum's brilliant.

Similarly, my dad's always been the strong father figure that I think a lot of people wish they had... he's not always been the most approachable person because I think our relationship falls somewhere between distant respect and close friendship, which is kinda weird, but it works really well. I'd always go to him if I had some kind of problem with my friends because I take after my dad in a lot of ways and I find that he always has incredibly useful advice or perspectives that I'd never even thought of; I think he's the most thoughtful person I know. He always remembers the little things; and he has a level head and I've never once seen him fail at anything.

I didn't really think I looked up to anyone famous because I always thought that was a bit weird, until I turned 18 and went through a bout of depression and found myself really respecting Siobhan Donaghy and Ray LaMontagne for not being afraid to talk about depression in their music and have this masterful control over it. Their music has really helped me in different ways and although I still think it's a bit embarrassing to talk about with other people, they're definitely positive role models to look up to. They're both intelligent and they talk about negative emotions in a mature way with their music and I really admire musicians who can do that. Life isn't all parties and saccharine love songs.

How about you guys? Is there anyone you look up to in particular and why?

[Shaun]

Makosi Musambasi

or my mum, Stephen Fry, David Bowie & most of my friends

[Z]

Stephen Fry is a really good role model, one of the few TV personalities who actively promotes intelligence and the pursuit of learning.

I was watching Sweat The Small Stuff on YouTube and was actually offended at Nick Grimshaw's scripted introduction of saying "I don't care about what's going on in the world, I care about ___" (whatever pet peeve he was mentioning) and every week it's like "I don't care what's going on in Syria, I care about what JLS have been eating!!!" or some ****. Why are we putting these idiots on pedestals?

[Jack.]

I have one hero in my life . That is my mum . My mum has loved and cared for me for the last 16 years . My mum will help me with what ever . A few years ago my mum got ill and has never recovered properly . I care for my mum most of the time . People need to remember to always respect there mothers and there other loved ones . Because I have learnt this year that you just need to live your life to the full

[LemonJam]

There's an old man where I live who's in a wheelchair. He pushes himself up all the hills from town that last for roughly a mile and a half. He never seems to want any help in doing so either. No idea what his name is or if he's still even around today, but he's always the first that springs to mind.

[Z]

That's really lovely justj, your mum is very lucky to have you in her life, I hope things somehow improve in the future!

That's really cool James. That reminds me of an old man who lives near me, he has a limp but I'd always see him walking his black Labrador every day, I'd always say hi and smile at him, and then I think the dog died because I haven't seen him out with it in years now but whenever I see him I still always say hi. I don't know his name and we've never had a conversation but it just always brightens my day to see him. I think it's because he has a limp yet he's always out and about walking places. It's great when people don't let a disability stop them from leading a normal life, it's something to be inspired by I think.

[Vanessa]

Michael Jackson.

[Withano]

Boris Johnson

[Withano]

and this woman

Youtube video

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Withano

Boris Johnson

Boris!

[Z]

Originally Posted by Withano

and this woman

Youtube video

I follow her on Twitter, she's a bit hit and miss as a comedienne but some of the stuff she posts is genuinely hysterical.

e.g. How To Twerk:

https://vine.co/v/bLBg9ZKbiFm

[Withano]

Originally Posted by Zee

I follow her on Twitter, she's a bit hit and miss as a comedienne but some of the stuff she posts is genuinely hysterical.

e.g. How To Twerk:

https://vine.co/v/bLBg9ZKbiFm

Oh her cat video isn't serious? I only found it like an hour ago and showed everybody I know since, So disappointing.

[Z]

Haha nah she's a comedienne but I think a lot of people believe it's a genuine video

[GypsyGoth]

My heroes are my mom, then I've a writing hero called P.C. Hodgell, she's the author of The God Stalker Chronicles, I don't think her books are that well known outside of fantasy fans. Also J.K. Rowling, she's recently become another writing hero of mine.

[swinearefine]

My dog because she's obese and sassy and growls at my niece's friend who's beyond annoying. And she was thrown like 20 feet through the air when she got hit by a truck but she refused to let it take the spunk out of her.

[LikeABoatOnWater]

Spiderman

[the truth]

wow good question

In no particular order

Well my dad is numero uno. I am too private a person to explain why.

My Grand dad is also up there as a fantastic person who loved us all hugely , what he went through in life, how hard he worked to feed his family, the fun wed have, he taught me to ride a bike, to fish, to garden, to bake, to pick blackberries, to play and enjoy.. hed tell me stories all day and just made me and us all feel safer and enjoy life.

My uncle is one of the most remarkable human beings that ever walked the earth. Again I cannot even begin to explain why....I will say this he always knew the right thing to say at the right time to help me or others , he cared enough to always listen and understand what needed to be said. Hilarious , unique, kind loving etc etc etc

\beyond family.....Theres a little disabled chap around here must be 60 now, just an amazing chap....hes been a referee , a football linesman, a charity collector , hes a massive character round these parts

my old headmaster was a legend.....I have never respected anyone more....He was spiritual, commanding, sincere, passionate, compassionate, profoundly kind and generous, treated everyone the same, never allowed bullying....Just an incredible man

I sit and admire people all the time, especially those with health problems who fight on and never complain.....These are all heroes to me

there are plenty of relatives of mine much younger than me who are also heroes....2 girls in particular , somehow uncynical . creative , enthusiastic, optimistic, hilarious, smart, ambitious and yet genuine and kind too

in terms of famous people

dead famous people include, admiral nelson, david Lloyd George, churchill and aneurin bevan as the 5 greatest brits alongside ismbard kingdom brunel...what a genius

in dear old wales Id have to go with a man you've never heard of gwynfor evans, who saved the welsh language, started a welsh political party and beat Maggie thatcher

the world .....wow Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln were titans....Ghandi surely has to be up there....mother Teresa.....

But in reality its really the working class people who are the real heroes, by working class I mean people who actually work an honest days work, to feed their families.

Kipling and Orwell have to be some of the greatest writers, I also think Bob Dylan is the greatest poet Ive read....

Musically well obviously Elvis, I love the old black americans from Otis redding to marvin gaye, also simon and Garfunkel, from the UK the best singers were jagger, rod stewart, tom jones imho...fave guitarists keith Richards knopfler etc

In the movies by biggest heroes are brando, bogart, Richard burton, cagney, deniro, john ford (director), tony Hopkins, al pacino, etc

sports heroes

uk

botham, lennox lewis, giggs, steve davis, daley thompson, calzaghe,sally gunnell, gareth Edwards, torville and dean, phil the power, shane Williams, etc

older days

George best, tommy farr, tanny gray thomspon etc

worldwide

ali, tiger, jack Nicklaus, sugar ray robinson, bjorn borg, macenroe, Steffi graf
pele, maradona, messi, Ronaldo (brazillian) etc

[Tom4784]

I don't have any.

[Benjamin]

Same, Dean. I don't have any. I admire and respect a lot of people but I would never call anyone my hero.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Ben

Same, Dean. I don't have any. I admire and respect a lot of people but I would never call anyone my hero.

so who do you admire and respect a lot

[Ryan57]

Batman.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Ryan57

Batman.

so no contribution then?

[Kazanne]

My mom and dad as they 'chose' me and they have been the most wonderful parents.

[Kizzy]

The 'Bradford jesus man' a guy who has been walking around Leeds, Bradford and surrounding areas for about 50yrs in a monks habit (no lie) he just walks around smiling....
And he never looks a day older!

[Ryan57]

Originally Posted by the truth

so no contribution then?

Isn't that as much contribution as some saying they have no hero?*


*No offence intended to those who said that. I've no issues whatsoever with you saying that. I was simply replying to this fool.