The way things are going with Iran, I’d say he’s pretty well forgotten already.

Actually, they’re only talking about facial recognition, I think.

As part of the survey, carried out to mark this week’s 70th anniversary of Churchill’s prime ministerial tenure, more than 1,136 people were asked to identify three prominent 20th century PMs including Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.

One in five (19%) adults failed to name Churchill, with the figure rising to 32% of 25 to 34-year-olds and 44% of those aged 16 to 24.

Following the pattern, researchers projected the rough date when the leaders would no longer be recognised, with Churchill’s demise predicted in 80 years’ time…

The survey, which involved people naming black and white headshot photos of the prime ministers, saw Churchill mistaken for Stephen Fry, Robert Hardy, Michael Gambon, Charlie Chaplin, Oliver Hardy, John Betjeman and Roy Hattersley, the Royal Mint said…

Kevin Clancy, head of Historical Services at the Royal Mint, added: “It’s shocking that one of our greatest statesmen runs the risk of potentially being forgotten.

Forty-four percent of 16-to-24-year-olds can’t recognize the guy voted the greatest Briton of all time in a gigantic BBC poll just 10 years ago? Hello? Bald, jowly, often seen with a cigar or making the “V” sign, looks (and acts) a bit like a bulldog? Don’t they get the History Channel over there? He’s an important cast member in every show about Hitler!

Seriously, though. Maybe I’m misunderstanding Churchill’s stature in Britain, but isn’t he tantamount to, say, Lincoln in America? I’m reasonably sure most Americans could pick Honest Abe out of a line-up; anyone who’s handled a five-spot should be up to the task. Maybe that’s Churchill’s problem — that he needs to be on more currency? Help me out here. I’m depressed and don’t want to face this reality.

Update: I can’t bear to watch.