Beckham Voted Most Popular Celebrity In Britain

Soccer superstar David Beckham has topped a poll as Britain's most popular celebrity.

The celebrity research project, which questioned 2,500 Britons, today (23JAN04) announced that the husband of Victoria Beckham came first, followed by Brad Pitt and Justin Timberlake.

ADRIAN NORTH, a UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER psychologist, says his team made the list in a study aimed at figuring out why people become fascinated with and obsessed by public figures.

He explains, "What links all the names in our top 10 is not their great minds but their great looks."

Despite current child abuse allegations against him in California, pop superstar Michael Jackson has retained a loyal fan base in Britain by landing fourth place in the study.

The full top 10 is as follows:

1. DAVID BECKHAM

2. BRAD PITT

3. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

4. MICHAEL JACKSON

5. Jennifer Lopez

6. Robbie Williams

7. Orlando Bloom

8. Britney Spears

9. Keanu Reeves

10. Angelina Jolie.