Before starting this article in earnest it is important to state impartiality. Your author does not own a Lily Allen album nor has he ever been to any concert where she was performing. Whilst enjoying her music on the radio I have never had the urge or requirement to go any further than that. So why write an article suggesting Mrs Cooper is a future national treasure? Why argue that she should be considered above the average pop star? Why is she a British icon? Well, due to death, on-going legal situations and a variety of other reasons we are currently short of a few national treasures. It is time for the new breed. Now, good treasure hunting always requires a little digging. A little digging on this particular pop star reveals a few surprises and more than a fair hint of being a bone fide British icon. The intention here is not to paint Lily as a saint. Certain media confessions and visible behaviour in the press suggests the sainthood is a while away yet. But as a British icon, by which it's meant someone who stands out as being the best of our fair island and worthy of our respect, we shall put forward one Mrs Lily Cooper nee Allen.