Former Ofsted chief Chris Woodhead has capped a forgettable winter by being named villain of the year.

But the listeners of BBC Radio 4's Today programme did offer the controversial figure some Christmas charity, voting him second in the hero of the year poll.

Only Olympic hero Sir Steve Redgrave could keep him from a double win, on the day the rowing gold medallist was knighted in the New Year's honours.

Mr Woodhead, who won 29% of the villain of the year votes to beat off Brian Souter and Sir Richard Branson, resigned as chief inspector of schools in November saying he wanted more freedom to speak out on education matters.

Furore

He was often at odds with teaching unions and the government.

The biggest furore to erupt involving Mr Woodhead, 54, was the revelation that he had an affair with a former pupil in the 1970s.

Both denied the claims, saying their relationship had started six months after she had left the school, and when he was no longer teaching there.

Today's editors had banned all politicians from the competition this year, following a history of vote-rigging.