30pc Brit kids clueless about Shakespeare

The survey, which involved 1,000 pupils aged between six and 12 from across the country, found that 30 per cent are unaware of the UK's most celebrated writer.

Researchers also found that around 27 per cent adults have never read a play by Shakespeare and around one in eight (12 per cent) are unaware that he was a British playwright, The 'Irish Times' reported.

The survey also questioned 2,000 adults, showing that half (49 per cent) are unable to complete the line "O Romeo, Romeo ..." from Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' with the correct answer being "wherefore art thou Romeo?"

The study, by market researchers Vision Critical, found that 5 per cent of people aged 18 to 34 believe Shakespeare's most famous play is 'Cinderella', while 2 per cent from the same age group think he is a fictional character.

About half (49 per cent) identified 'Macbeth' as Shakespeare's most recognisable character.