Redgrave named greatest English sportsman ever

SIR Steve Redgrave has been named the greatest English sportsman of all-time in a survey commissioned by Commonwealth Games England.

GREATEST: Sir Steve Redgrave's five Olympic golds ranks him as England's greatest sporting icon, according to Commonwealth Games England (Getty Images)

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Redgrave is always keen to boast he is a reigning Commonwealth rowing champion, the sport having not appeared at the Games since his victory in Edinburgh in 1986.

Already installed as the bookmakers favourite to light the Olympic flame at the London 2012 Olympics, Redgrave - who retired following his victory in Sydney - beat off the challenge of World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore, decathlon legend Daley Thompson and sub four-minute miler Sir Roger Bannister.

"It's a great honour," he said

"I'm very proud to be English, and to be voted ahead of some of England's all time sporting legends is fantastic."