One in four men choose their father as top role model over celebrities, study claims

Research shows dads beat famous figures such as Barack Obama and Winston Churchill

The study was commissioned by Gillette to launch their My Role Model campaign which will celebrate the work of fathers (Getty Images)

One in four men have named their father as their top role model, beating a string of sporting heroes, Hollywood actors and high-profile figures, according to a study.

The poll of 2,000 British men found that fathers came out on top, ahead of famous figures such as Barack Obama and Bobby Moore.

Men also voted for their grandfather in third place, with Winston Churchill coming in second place.

Brothers and best friends did not fare so well, as respondents admitted they were more likely to idolise Tom Hanks, Prince William and Morgan Freeman than their sibling or closest friend.

Ex-world heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali, tennis legend Roger Federer and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson also appeared in the top 10.

Other popular male role models in the list included the late David Bowie, Olympic champion Mo Farah, actor Denzel Washington and FC Barcelona forward Lionel Messi.

The study was commissioned by Gillette to launch #MyRoleModel, a campaign which celebrates fathers and recognises other important role models.

Ian Wright, who worked with Gillette, said: “This Father’s Day I’m grateful to the men who helped me become who I am today.

“These men encouraged me to be the best I can be and I enjoy the responsibility that comes with being a role model and passing on what I’ve learned to the next generation, whether that’s my children, my community or some of the footballers I speak to who are now experiencing what I did in my professional career.”

The results showed differences between the generations, with older men less likely to idolise a friend or relative than a celebrity.

When it came to what made a good role model, almost half of British men cited honesty as a top trait while 40 per cent looked for strong values. These attributes ranked higher than wealth and ambition.

Others said their idol was important because of their work ethic, leadership qualities or their success.

It also emerged that 47 per cent of men polled, via OnePoll, considered themselves to be a good role model for other men.

Matt Thomas, brand manager at Gillette, said: “For many men, especially when they are young, their dad is often the first and most important role model in their life.

“Gillette plays a unique role in this relationship with the education of the first shave often being seen as a memorable moment when growing up.”

SWNS