working class hero

A working class hero is someone celebrated for achieving success or standing up for principles while remaining true to humble origins.

The phrase carries ironic weight from John Lennon's 1970 song, which suggests the concept is a contradiction—that society's version of success requires abandoning working class identity.

Used both sincerely He's a working class hero who never forgot where he came from and sarcastically to mock someone performing authenticity they've left behind.