Sir Henry Cooper's Icons

Sir Henry Cooper

We've got a real knock-out of a country.

And it's a fantastic idea we're going to discover all the icons, the places, the landmarks, the ideas, the history and culture which go to make our great nation.

It's really going to make people think about England, and that's no bad thing. I've travelled around a bit and I still think that England is the best place ever.

What makes it so good? The English outlook is pretty good. We're open, welcoming, not jealous of other countries and happy to see people doing well.

It is all about the people - a country can only be as good as the people. And as we've proved time and time again, in hardship the English - like our neighbours the Scottish, the Irish and the Welsh - just pull together.

And it needn't be a national crisis either. The other day my wife had a knock in the car. She wasn't injured but was a bit shaken up. Out of nowhere a nurse appeared to make sure she was all right, three policemen looked after her and a neighbour took her in and made her a cup of tea. Despite what we often hear these days, people still care and pull together when it matters. Maybe they're English icons - comfort, care and good manners.

I like the English way of life. When there's good weather there's no better place to be on earth. I've always said if we had hot weather in England who'd ever want to go abroad? But of course the unpredictable English weather keeps life interesting and it's definitely a feature which defines life in this country.

We've got the lot - a beautiful country, fantastic food and a heritage second to none.

Take the Lake District, for example. Every time I visit I can't believe how beautiful it is, with its dramatic hills, mountains and lakes.

Derwent Water (Lake District)

My wife is Italian and I like good food. Nowadays in England you can get whatever cuisine you like and whatever you want. I love a good rib of beef - you can't beat that. And a good English breakfast really does set you up for the rest of the day.

As for our history, it's rich and important to all of us. I was a kid growing up in the second world war and we all listened to the radio. I remember hearing Winston Churchill's wartime speeches. When you heard his voice it made you feel safer and motivated the nation. Another wartime hero of mine is Sir Douglas Bader. He was a pilot who flew with two tin legs after he lost his own in an accident. When his plane crashed, the Germans had to take away his tin legs to stop him trying to escape.

I was lucky enough to know him as we used to play golf together. Now I can't nominate him as an icon, because people aren't allowed, but I will put forward the courage of Sir Douglas Bader.

Henry in the ring with Mohammed Ali

I'd also nominate the NHS. Ordinary people had no medical fall-back before, when there was no NHS. I remember my mum and dad just couldn't afford to get ill. You either got over whatever was making you ill or died - it was as simple as that. But not any more, and that's marvellous.

I'm royalist and the monarchy would get a vote from me. I've been lucky enough to go to Buckingham Palace on 20 occasions. We have had a King or Queen for hundreds of years and I don't want a blooming President coming in.

Of course for me many of this country's greatest icons come from the world of sport. Maybe a few people will suggest one sporting moment I'm best remembered for? I was the first man to put Cassius Clay - he wasn't called Mohammed Ali then - down in a professional fight. I lost that fight in the end because I had a badly cut eye and the referee had to stop it, but people still tell me they remember that moment.

England winning the 1966 World Cup

Away from boxing I'd say football was iconic to us English. After all, it's the national game. I knew one of the most famous players of all – Stanley Matthews, a master of the dribble and the ball. It's a working man's sport, good exercise and huge crowds still go to the matches. And I was there at Wembley in 1966 the day England won the World Cup. That's an icon like no other.