The answer is no - the countersignature must be provided by a qualified professional in active, good standing.
For example, if your friend was a lawyer when he/she countersigned for you, he/she must be still a lawyer (even not working as a lawyer) now to countersign for you again.
In answering your concerns:
The U.K. does not (the correct term is no longer) issue IDs. To the HM Passport Office, they have no way to know how you look like. So countersignature is used.
When your declaration page has provided a box for countersignature, it means it is required. If you fail to provide your countersignature, the Passport Office can further delay your renewal application by interviewing at a British diplomatic post (British Consulate General Hong Kong in this case).
A quick note - countersignature is automatically required in the following situation: 1) Replacement of stolen/lost passport; 2) First-time application; 3) Renewal after long expiration; 4) Change in Passport information