One woman in ten cares more about a fictional playboy

One in 10 women feels more intensely for a make-believe male such as James
Bond than for their own partner, a survey has found.






The research, commissioned by AudioGO - the UK's most popular publisher of
audiobooks - to mark the release of The Great Gatsby audio book, saw 1,000
Brits polled about their relationships with literature.



The survey found that more than half of women admitted to being attracted to
fictional bad boys - with one in ten feeling more intensely for a
make-believe male than their own partner.



That could be why cinematic smooth operators such as Alfie, Arthur and even
Austin Powers have proved to be such popular and enduring figures.



The Great Gatsby was named among the greatest fictional playboys of all time.



F Scott Fitzgerald's lothario, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the latest big
screen adaptation features in a list of the UK's most popular imaginary
ladies' men, with James Bond topping the poll.



Other pleasure-seeking characters to make the top 10 include Iron Man's Tony
Stark and Batman's Bruce Wayne.


Speaking yesterday, AudioGO Sales and Marketing Director, Rachel Josephson
said: "Fictional playboys' mix of power and charm ensures they were a hit
with both men and women. It's the air of adventure and charm that make
playboys so endearing and part of many great stories.


"Great leading men like Gatsby are never forgotten and as the new Baz Luhrmann
film adaptation proves, still go on to inspire whole new generations
alongside brand new characters.


"For men, playboys serve as a fantasy role model to try and emulate, while
many women are excited by their devil-may-care demeanour."


Dorian Gray, Don Juan and Shakespeare's Romeo complete the list of the top 10
greatest fictional playboys.


Though sex appeal was unsurprisingly named as a key quality of fictional
charmers, intelligence was deemed the most important attribute.


A sense of adventure, carefree attitude and power were also key.







What a load of baloney!