In the run up to the World Cup a new survey reveals the football-related celebrities that people most want to hold hands with, and reveals an interesting insight into the broadcasters’ selections for the FIFA 2010 World Cup.
The poll of 3,000 was commissioned by Abbeyfield, a registered charity dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older people, as part of its activities to celebrate Abbeyfield Week (5th – 12th June), which is focusing on the importance of holding hands.
ITV’s World Cup Live front man, James Corden, won the cup with almost a fifth of respondents wanting to hold his hand. England’s second highest goal scorer, Gary Lineker, retains his position when it comes to popularity, with 12 percent of respondents choosing the BBC’s long standing pundit.
However, it is a game of two halves and the results revealed discrepancies in the selection process between men and women. ITV’s latest signing Adrian Chiles was the favourite for twice as many men than women, ranking sixth in the overall popularity league. But the top scorer for men was Gary Lineker’s wife Danielle Bux, with almost a quarter of male respondents (22 percent) wanting to hold her hand. A further 18 percent supported Radio 5’s Gabby Logan, followed closely by Sky Sports presenter Kelly Dawglesh, just one point behind.
James Corden was first choice in the selection process for women, with more than a quarter of those surveyed wanting to hold his hand (26 percent). He was followed by Gary Lineker, at 16 percent, and Alan Shearer, who was a key player for 10 percent of female respondents. Alan Hansen scored an own goal in the poll as the least popular male, with just four percent of females wanting to hold his hand.
Paul Allen, Chief Executive at Abbeyfield, commented on the results: “Our research has found that many people now see holding hands as something exclusively for the young and romantics, but the benefits that this simple contact can bring to people of all ages should not be forgotten. Holding hands brings comfort and companionship to many people of all ages, particularly the elderly who often feel lonely and isolated. Holding hands can also help to relieve tension and with many of our residents remembering the first World Cup in 1930, and subsequent success in 1966, this simple act may prove invaluable over the next few weeks!”