Scottish superstar Sir Sean Connery has proved he can still cause a stir as British women have voted him their ideal coffee-date, according to research by leading cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Relief.

One thousand people across Great Britain were asked who they would most like to have a cup of coffee with in the run-up to Macmillan's World's Biggest Coffee Morning on September 29, sponsored by ntl.

According to the findings: Women rate maturity above youthful looks when it comes to choosing a coffee-date: Sir Sean Connery and Nelson Mandela secured first and second places respectively while Tony Blair beat toff heart-throb Hugh Grant into fifth place.

It was a disappointing turn out for sports fans though, footballer David Beckham and Des "the Dish" Lynham rated lukewarm in joint seventh position.

Women were asked to choose from ten male celebrities including: Des Lynam, Sean Connery, Prince William, Ronan Keating, David Beckham, Tony Blair, Nelson Mandela, Robbie Williams, Johnny Vaughan and Hugh Grant.

Top scores went to: 1st - Sean Connery (21 per cent), 2nd - Nelson Mandela (16 per cent), joint 3rd -Robbie Williams and Ronan Keating (11 per cent), 4th - Prince William (9 per cent), 5th - Tony Blair (8 per cent)

While Sir Sean, or Ronan may not be on hand to fulfil every fan's coffee-date fantasy, there is an event taking place which promises to be every bit as exciting. The World's Biggest Coffee Morning already holds a Guinness World Record for the largest public event.

People all over Great Britain - from Land's End to John O' Groats - are invited to join in Macmillan's World's Biggest Coffee Morning, sponsored by communications company ntl, on Friday, by hosting their own coffee morning - either at home, at work, in shops, schools or at local clubs - and asking their guests to donate a small amount towards Macmillan.

This year's event will be even bigger due to the fact that, thanks to ntl, you will even be able to hold virtual coffee mornings through the specially created website www.everyoneswelcome.com - available via the internet , TV internet and interactive digital TV. You will be able to have a cup of coffee with your favourite celebrity online, win great prizes and at the same time help raise over £2.5 million for people living with cancer and their families.

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