Hawking beats Becks as role model
Author and academic Professor Stephen Hawking is more of a role model to teenage boys than England football captain David Beckham, according to a survey published today.
Prof Hawking came second in a poll to find the men who boys aged 16 to 18 look up to the most.
He was just beaten by England's Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson in the survey of 500 teenage boys for Good Housekeeping magazine.
Prof Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time, quoted in the magazine, said: "Over the years I've been voted the second most intelligent person in Britain and was amused to be listed among the world's 10 sexiest men.
"But I'm honoured to be an inspiring role model. Thank you."
The 500 boys, from across the country, were asked to choose their top role model from a list of 100 names. The magazine then gave each name a score based on the results.
Fly-half Wilkinson, who has been named as England's new rugby union captain, told the magazine: "I'm hugely flattered to come first, especially when I'm seen alongside Stephen Hawking.
"My own role models, who included basketball player Michael Jordan, helped me focus on my goals.
"We all need goals to aim for and my motto is still 'The more you practise, the luckier you get"'.
In fourth place, after David Beckham, is boxing champion Lennox Lewis and then comedian and star of The Office Ricky Gervais.
Actor and former footballer Vinnie Jones is in sixth place, followed by TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, former Olympic rower Sir Steven Redgrave, and actor David Jason.
Author Philip Pullman, who reviewed the findings, raised an eyebrow at a couple of the entries.
"What is Vinnie Jones doing there?" he asked. "As far as I know, the only thing he's good at is frightening people.
"And as for Jeremy Clarkson, he'd produce a couple of intelligent TV programmes about things other than cars, but I guess he's not on the list for those."
Lindsay Nicholson, editor-in-chief of Good Housekeeping, said: "The list demonstrates that young boys really value talent and excellence, be it in sport, music, writing or acting.
"They are not voting for just enviable or 'cool' lifestyles and are deferential to those genuinely accomplished and respected.
"It certainly casts doubt over popular opinions that teenage boys are doing little more than play violent computer games and that this age-group is slipping further into social decline."
