In the spotlight: Ellen MacArthur

Ellen MacArthur, the sailor who circumnavigated the globe solo in record time, has been called a hero.

Ellen MacArthur, the sailor who circumnavigated the globe solo in record time, has been called a hero.

But who likes heroes? Certainly not the Guardian. One columnist described MacArthur's online photo as “the most heart-sinking image to be beamed down a webcam since Leslie Grantham appeared to be encouraging a young lady to suck her index finger'‘.

Another newspaper suggested a news blackout as the only way to stop MacArthur in her tracks.