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Merton and Sugar compete to be our favourite Londoner
Ellen Widdup08.10.08
From a millionaire businessman from Hackney to a comedian who took his stage name from the borough he grew up in, they share their love of the capital.
Sir Alan Sugar and Paul Merton have been shortlisted for the title of Londoners' Favourite Londoner along with others including Sir Michael Caine and Joanna Lumley.
Evening Standard readers will be asked to pick the winner as part of this year's Visit London Awards. Visit London chief executive James Bidwell said: "We will be honouring the individuals who help make London the world's most dynamic, creative and innovative city.
"London's Favourite Londoner gives Londoners the opportunity to vote for and reward an individual that has made an outstanding contribution to the capital in their chosen field."
Sir Michael, an Oscar and Bafta winner, was born in Rotherhithe. Lumley, who lives in south London, recently helped campaign for up to 2,000 Gurkha soldiers to be allowed to stay in Britain.
They are joined by chef Jamie Oliver, who has helped change the face of the British school dinners, and Sir Alan, who has an estimated fortune of £830 million but is best known for the TV series The Apprentice.
The final choice is east London singer Leona Lewis, who won the 2003 X Factor talent show and has since achieved worldwide fame.
Merton, a panellist on the BBC show Have I Got News For You? was born Paul Martin in Parsons Green to a Tube driver. He changed his name when he decided to pursue a career on stage.
The Favourite Londoner category replaces the Outstanding Achievement Award which has been won by Dame Helen Mirren and Gordon Ramsay. The public are asked to participate in all award categories including picking their favourite retailer, shopping destination, market, music venue, West End show, restaurant and place for family fun.
The Evening Standard has also sponsored the retail award. Winners will be announced by Capital FM's Johnny Vaughan at the Royal Albert Hall on 27 November.
Click here to vote in the Visit London Awards 2008
Reader views (10)
Simple rules of voting.
Do not vote for anybody born outside London, especially those born overseas and subsequently grew up in the Home counties.
Do not vote for anybody who was born north of the River.
Looks like Maurice will get my vote.
- Mark, South-East London
Sugar or Merton !!!! not exactly my idea of the perfect ,ideal or favourite Londoner .It needs to be someone that makes a diffence for others not their own pockets.
- K.Elick, chester
Mabs, when one achieves global recognition it is hoped that they do so around the world rather that just in the UK.
- Westfold, London, UK
First,check: are these two people born and bred Londoners?
If so, do carry on.
- Roy, London England.
I think Leona Lewis deserves the awards for the most favourite Londoner as she has achieved global recognition not only here in the UK but also around the world.
- Mabs, Ealing, London
I loved my "Amstrad" way back in the 80's . Alan Sugar's contribution to making us the PC literate country that we are is immesurable. His export initiatives got him his knighthood On the "Apprentice:" he is supurb, teaching the jargon full whizz kids of today some humility & common sense. He gets my vote.
- Jon, London
Who on earth would vote for Sugar? He's an arrogant, rude bully who needs a good slap.
- Steve, london
.... Paul Merton's work on Silent Films was particularly amazing.
- Lorna Coshan, London, UK
I'm definitely be voting for Paul Merton, he's a brilliant man and incredibly funny. MERTON TO WIN I SAY!!!! And he's way more prolific than just appearing on Have I Got News too. I found the awards link here if anyone else wants to vote (it doesn't seem to be mentioned on the article above)...
- Lorna Coshan, London, UK
Why is Alan Sugars name in the frame? That's one headstrong arrogant pig. At least Paul Merton is likeable.
- Steve, London
