The Labour politician faced stiff competition

In results on Monday - St David's Day - the post-war health minister was the most popular out of 100 people.

The competition was stiff - he beat the 15th Century rebel prince of Wales Owain Glyndwr by just 117 votes.

Singer Tom Jones was third, Plaid's first MP Gwynfor Evans fourth and actor Richard Burton fifth.

The announcement at a ceremony in Cardiff Bay brought to an end six-months' of online voting organised by Culturenet Cymru - funded by the Welsh assembly - thought to be the largest poll of its kind attracting more than 3.5 million hits and 85,000 registered votes.

Top 10 Aneurin Bevan - NHS founder Owain Glyndwr - 15th Century rebel leader Tom Jones - singer Gwynfor Evans - Plaid's first leader Richard Burton - actor Gareth Edwards - rugby player Dylan Thomas - poet and playwright David Lloyd George - former prime minister Robert Owen - philanthropist and social reformer Saunders Lewis - writer and politician

A trustee of the Bevan Foundation and leader of the Transport and General Workers Union, Jim Hancock, championed Aueurin Bevan, who was MP for Ebbw Vale from 1929 to 1960, at the Cardiff event.

"An icon of the left, he was a true working class hero," said Mr Hancock.

"The scourge of the right, he took on Conservative British establishment and changed Britain for every.

"To Nye it was the ordinary people who mattered and he was their champion.

"Wales and the rest of Britain owe him a great deal, a great socialist and a great man - a true Welsh hero."

As well as being a popularity poll, the object of the site is to educate readers about the famous Welsh figures featured which are accompanied by biographies of the top 100 Welsh icons nominated on the site.

Zeta Jones was the first woman on the list

Allison Coleman, who directed the project for Culturenet Cymru, said: "We are thrilled that so many people took the time and trouble to support their favourites in 100 Welsh Heroes.

"The scale of the response exceeded our wildest expectations.

"While Aneurin Bevan is a most worthy winner, we don't for a moment believe the outcome of our poll is the last word on the subject.

"We feel sure that we have succeeded in our aim of raising the profile of Wales internationally and drawing attention to the lives and achievements of a diverse and remarkable collection of people."

The leading women were Hollywood star Catherine Zeta Jones who came in 13th and athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson who was 25th in the poll.

"As an athlete it is nice to know that people out there watch what I do and support me, said Ms Grey-Thompson.

"If it [the poll] changes just one or two people's perception on how great Wales is then that is doing a great job."

Football legend John Charles, whose funeral took place on Monday, was 19th.

Novelist, dramatist and Plaid Cymru founder Saunders Lewis finished 10th.

The website will remain online as an educational resource.