Mandela surprise in fame poll

David Beckham no longer lives in the UK

Footballer David Beckham has easily topped a poll to find Britain's most popular celebrity.

But perhaps more interesting were people who also made it into the top 20, such as Nelson Mandela and Princess Diana.

The study into celebrity worship was conducted by the University of Leicester.

Over 2,500 young Britons were questioned for poll.

England captain Beckham, who is now plying his trade at Real Madrid in Spain, was over twice as popular as runners-up Brad Pitt and Justin Timberlake.

Nelson Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize

Rounding out the top five were Michael Jackson and Jennifer Lopez.

While Beckham and pop stars dominated the survey, researcher Dr Adrian North highlighted some other results.

He said: "Nelson Mandela (14th) polled as our top politician and arguably the first person on the list to represent a clear moral and political ideology."

Despite dying in 1997, Princess Diana polled in 11th place.

Dr North said: "Tony Blair (equal 69th) polled as many votes as master of illusion, David Blaine.

"Although people could have voted for great political thinkers or artists, their top 10 comprised Hollywood stars, pop musicians and a footballer.

"What links all the names in our top 10 is not their great minds but their great looks."