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TOM HARDY has been voted the most attractive British leading man of film and TV, according to a new poll.

Scots actors David Tennant and Ewan McGregor brought a bit of tartan totty to the top ten too, coming in at seventh and eighth respectively.

Mad Max: Fury Road actor Hardy edged out closest rivals Colin Firth and Orlando Bloom to take top billing in the study to find the stars who get pulses racing.

The win comes ahead of this month's Oscars ceremony, which will see the Londoner battle Sylvester Stallone, Christian Bale, Mark Ruffalo and Mark Rylance for the best supporting actor award.

With eight of the top 10 aged 40 and over, the survey commissioned by digital channel Drama, suggests British women favour mature men rather than fresh faces,

At 38, Hardy, who played both roles in his depiction of gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray in Legend, is the youngest in the list.

The oldest heartthrob is 56-year-old Game Of Thrones actor Sean Bean , ranked in 10th position.

The King's Speech Oscar-winner Colin Firth, 55, took the runner-up spot in the poll, while Pirates Of The Caribbean's 39-year-old star Orlando Bloom was third.

Daniel Craig , 47, who has now clocked up four James Bond films, came fourth.

He was just ahead of 43-year-old Luther actor Idris Elba , who has been rumoured as a possible successor for the 007 role when it becomes vacant.

The top 10 was rounded out by Alfie's Jude Law in sixth place with Broadchurch's David Tennant following. Fellow Scot Ewan McGregor was eighth and Hugh Grant, perennially cast as a befuddled Englishman, ended up in ninth position.

(Image: MGM)

The 2,000 women surveyed were also asked about the British celebrities with the best bodies.

The Revenant's Hardy had to settle for second place behind Bond star Craig.

Elba, up for a Bafta this Sunday for his role in Beasts Of No Nation, was third.

Kent-born Bloom and Londoner Law were fourth and fifth respectively.

Inspector George Gently's Martin Shaw was named "the ultimate silver fox".

The 71-year-old vegetarian, who first found fame as Doyle in 1970s series The Professionals, was also the oldest man in the top five.

Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb, 68, who played villain Archie Mitchell in EastEnders was runner-up.

Nigel Havers, best known for playing suave, posh characters was third. The 64-year-old became an unlikely Coronation Street favourite as conman Lewis Archer.

Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, 67, and Timothy Dalton, 69, completed the list.

The study was commissioned by Drama to celebrate its Leading Man Weekend which launches on February 13.

(Image: David M. Benett/Getty Images)

Over the weekend, viewers will be able to watch a host of British acting talent, including Firth in his famous portrayal of Mr Darcy in Pride And Prejudice and Shaw's renowned role as the eponymous inspector.

Vicky Walker, programme and schedule manager of Drama, said: "The poll results are a reminder of the top acting talent we have in the UK and it's interesting to see how men aged 40-plus dominate the top 10."