Becks Scores As Best Dad - Chris Second

Becks hefts the cup as top pop with more than a quarter of UK dads and 30 per cent of mums voting the England captain the best example of modern fatherhood. In true Becks style, he thrashed the opposition, netting 20 per cent more votes than second-placed Chris Martin.

But brand new starry dads Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise fell by the wayside in the poll, carried out by top toy firm Smoby – the blockbusting pair managed just three and four per cent of the vote respectively. Top dads:

David Beckham 29%

Chris Martin 9%

Tony Blair 8%

Peter Andre 6%

Tom Cruise 4%

Brad Pitt 3%

Guy Ritchie 2%

Eminem 2%

Jude Law 1% The research also found that despite all the talk about “new men”, it’s not a lot more than hot air as far as kids’ play is concerned. Many dads still like their boys to be boys and to play with boys toys.

Cars or trains, balls and building blocks came out top of a preferred list of toys and a third of fathers still don’t like their sons to play with dolls. Of these dads, nearly three quarters believe that dolls are just for girls and 16 per cent were concerned that if their son were to play with a doll other children might make fun of him.

In true stereotypical form, parents put dolls top of the list of toys they’d be content for their daughters to play with – 85 per cent of fathers and 83 per cent of mums.

Taking such views into account, Smoby has created a very different type of doll. Roby is a near-lifesize toddler designed to appeal to boys and their dads as well as girls and mums. He is clearly male and is robust enough to act as a rough and tumble playmate.

Adrian Mayes, MD of Smoby, commented “This research has shown how important it is for toys to be acceptable not just to kids but also to their parents – and in the case of boys, it’s important that dads feel comfortable with the choice of toy.

“Following extensive research into the development of Roby we believe that although popular with girls, he will also prove a hit outside the usual doll market.”

In the most recent issue of Life & Style, the magazine featured a special for Fathers Day, including gift ideas and their list of a few of Hollywood's Best (and may we say some of the Hottest) Dads.

The list includes:

Brad Pitt, the new dad- Brad has taken on the role of father by adopting son Maddox and daughter Zahara, and with the birth of baby Shiloh. How many men go from no kids to 3 in one year so handsomely?

Chris Martin, rocker dad- Chris is hubby to award winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow and poppa to 2-year-old Apple and 2-month-old Moses. He juggles fatherhood and a successful music career as only a true rocker would.

Matthew Broderick, city dad- Matthew is married to former Sex & the City star Sarah Jessica Parker and had been a constant fixture on Broadway for years, so it's no surprise that the couple love to show their son, 3 1/2-year-old James Wilkie, the best that New York City has to offer.

Dean Cain, single dad- Although Dean and his son, 6-year-old Christopher's, mother split, that doesn't mean Dean can't be a constant fixture in his son's life.

Will Smith, funny dad- Will is the epitome of the working, yet involved father and husband to wife Jada Pinkett and their children. Will is the first to include his kids in his projects, even featuring his boys, Trey, 14, and Jaden, 7, in videos and movies. Soon to join the clan on film will be Will's 5-year-old daughter Willow, who daddy doesn't seem ready to share with the world yet.

David Arquette, wacky dad- Father to 2-year-old Coco Riley, with wife Courteney Cox, David does everything in a tacky, wacky way. From the way he dresses to the roles he takes, David never compromises on his eccentric ways.

Ryan Phillippe, Mr. mom- A successful actor in his own right, Ryan can be hardly seen without his two best friends, daughter, 6 1/2-year-old Ava, and son , 2 1/2-year-old Deacon. But don't worry his wife, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon, is usually not far behind.

Guy Richie, spiritual dad- Guy makes sure to keep his stepdaughter, 9-year-old Lourdes, and son, 5-year-old Rocco, involved in their Kabbalah activities.

Heath Ledger, hipster dad- As the ultimate bohemian, Heath is sure to be seen tracking around the world with his 7 month old daughter, Matilda Rose, and fiance Michelle Williams, in a style that is completely their own. From their clothes to the carriers used for their baby girl, Heath and Michelle stand out in every way.

Ben Affleck, working dad- Ben keeps his wife, actress Jennifer Garner, and his 6 month old daughter, Violet Anne, close while currently shooting his directorial debut in his Boston hometown.

Others not mentioned, but that should have been:

Seal, Eminem, Hugh Jackman, John Travolta, Mel Gibson and yes, even Tom Cruise and many others.

Source: Various