EXCLUSIVE: Soap villain ‘Dirty’ Den Watts was named the ‘Awful Superior’ we would never want to be employed by – but which children’s story personality would create the perfect manager? Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Comments
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UK employees consider things would be great beneath a particular made-up boss – after Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Willy Wonka was declared the UK’s ideal manager. Elsewhere, former Queen Vic publican ‘Dirty’ Den Watts led a survey of the TV managers we’d least like to work under, according to the research by business insurance firm Premierline.
Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl’s children’s novel ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ – portrayed by Johnny Depp, Timothée Chalamet and Gene Wilder in movies – was chosen as the ultimate fictional manager (16%), in front of technology expert Tony Stark from Iron Man (15%) and Batman’s other identity Bruce Wayne, of Wayne Enterprises (15%). It also appears we wouldn’t object to a time in Peckham working with Del Boy, proprietor of Only Fools and Horses’ Trotters Independent Traders coming in fourth place (13%) prior to Central Perk’s Gunther from US TV series Friends (9%).
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Regarding awful bosses, Eastenders’ figure ‘Dirty’ Den Watts, acted by performer Leslie Grantham, came first from the group of 2,000 UK adults, with 21%.
A well-known baddie – recognised for his plotting, relationships and efforts at coercion – Den was shot and assumed dead by his spouse Angie in 1989, before coming back 14 years later having amazingly lived.
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His second term in Walford was equally controversial, before ending in 2005 when he was killed and hidden beneath the pub by new partner Chrissie.
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And perhaps it isn’t surprising he warded off rivalry from The Office’s David Brent (18%) and chaotic hotel devotee Basil Fawlty (12%).
The survey was authorised by business insurance experts Premierline, a spokesperson stated: “These characters might make fantastic television, but they also highlight exactly the type of workplace behaviour most individuals fear.
“From erratic tempers to bad decision-making and a total lack of responsibility, it’s simple to see why bosses such as Dirty Den, David Brent and Basil Fawlty lead the list of individuals Brits would least like to be employed by.
“In the real world, running a company comes with responsibility – not just to clients, but to employees too. Possessing the correct safeguards, including business insurance, helps owners manage risk, handle arguments and deal with the unexpected, allowing them to focus on creating a workplace people want to be a part of.”
Fourth in the survey of awful bosses was Mirana Priestly, from The Devil Wears Prada – played in the 2006 Hollywood movie by actress Meryl Streep.
The stone-cold editor-in-chief of Runway magazine was selected by 10%, just ahead of Betty Turpin from Coronation Street’s Rovers Return pub (9%) and Steve Coogan’s made-up TV and radio presenter Alan Partridge (8%).
The study continued to find that 7% of UK citizens dislike their current manager and 97% would feel happier in the workspace if they didn’t have anyone to report to.
TOP TEN FICTIONAL BOSSES WE’D LEAST LIKE TO WORK FOR:
Den Watts (Eastenders) – 21%
David Brent (The Office) – 18%
Basil Fawlty (Fawlty Towers) – 12%
Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada) – 10%
Betty Turpin (Coronation Street) – 9%
Alan Partridge (I’m Alan Partridge)– 8%
Thomas Shelby (Peaky Blinders) – 8%
Diane Sugden (Emmerdale) – 8%
Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) – 7%
Moe Szyslak (The Simpsons) – 5%
AND THE FIVE WE’D MOST LIKE TO WORK FOR:
Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) – 16%
Tony Stark (Iron Man) – 15%
Bruce Wayne (Batman) – 15%
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Del Boy Trotter (Only Fools and Horses) – 13%
Gunther (Friends) – 9%