Opinions: Do you feel attracted to TV presenters?

BILL BRYSON, writer: I have never thought of the news as a possible source of sexual gratification. I don't care if the newsreaders weigh 400 pounds, as long as they are clear. What I can say is that Alastair Burnet is magnificently unattractive, and that I find I want to punch Martyn Lewis whenever I see him.

CLIFF MICHELMORE, veteran television presenter: I was once likened to a benevolent hippopotamus. There's too much emphasis these days on what somebody looks like, years ago it wasn't so important. I don't feel attracted to any of them. Now most of them act, rather than simply being themselves. They're always nodding their heads as if the editor has got them on a piece of string.

ANN EVANS, researcher: I fancied Charles Wheeler when I was at university and he seemed ancient - this was 20-25 years ago - then I saw he was on again and thought he must be really ancient now, but he was still absolutely gorgeous . . TONY GRIFFITHS, plasterer: Pamela Armstrong. Why? She seems quite nice, humorous, I like her hairdo . . . I'm clutching at straws here. Selina Scott was nice before she had her hair cut. Hair is important, blonde for preference.

SUZANNE BUCKINGHAM, aerobics teacher: There's one called John something that isn't too repulsive. Snow, perhaps, or Simpson, I'm not sure which one he is. He's got dark hair with silvery bits and a beaky nose, you must know him.

HELEN BAEHR, media studies lecturer: Actually, women were not allowed to read the news at all until 1960 because television companies thought men would be distracted by them. Of the current male presenters, Jeremy Paxman stands out. There doesn't seem to be so much concern that men should be young and sexy: it's almost as if the more bland, the more we're supposed to trust them.

ALAN FREEMAN, disc jockey: I always found Angela Rippon very glamorous and never used to remember a thing about what the news was about when she was reading it. Anna Ford is exceptional, because she combines good looks with an ability to sound interested in everything.

MARY WHITEHOUSE: I don't judge them on whether they're attractive or not. Jon Snow on Channel 4 is very responsible - he puts the news first without drawing attention to himself.

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