Hi Jim - I think we're getting off onto two parallel tracks, range vs. tonal control. About the latter I agree with you completely. I've been referring to what necessary range limitation does to singers - about which they have little or no choice - not voice tone per se.

And I feel the same as every other poster on this thread, i.e. I hate that silly-sounding weak breathiness and hear far too much of it. It's probably not been lost on anyone that the names we are Not Naming are all young pretty girls. How much slack would audiences cut for middle-aged women who sang like that? (Blokes either.) But as to WHY it's considered attractive, you've got me. I think it's just inferior voice-quality, or lack of technique, or both. Guys don't tend to have this register barrier problem, but there are still the other two factors.

BTW, do you happen to remember what type of song that young student was singing for the BBC voice teacher? Was it a classical song or a pop/show song?

Certainly the chest voice IS more natural - it's what we all speak in. AND SHOUT IN which is why shouting makes you hoarse.