Beckham scores again

He is worshipped as the son of God - but even that is not enough to impress young people these days.

Jesus scored only a handful of votes in a survey of heroes, it emerged yesterday.

He came 123rd - tying with President George Bush - near the bottom of a list topped by David Beckham.

Child abuse allegations have done nothing to dent Michael Jackson's popularity - he came fourth, following Hollywood star Brad Pitt and singer Justin Timberlake.

Psychologists asked more than 2,500 people aged between 16 and 24 who they most admired.

They could name political thinkers, artists and religious leaders but most picked sport and showbiz celebrities.

Jennifer Lopez, Robbie Williams, Orlando Bloom and Britney Spears were all in the top ten. Study leader Dr Adrian North, of the University of Leicester, said: 'It's slightly depressing. What links all the names in our top ten is not their great minds but their great looks.'

Dr North said he was baffled Jesus tied with Mr Bush.

'I've absolutely no idea what's happening there,' he added.

'You could say we are a less religious society than we used to be, but if people still believed in big ideas you'd expect the block vote to switch from religious to political leaders. That hasn't happened.'

Tony Blair shared 69th place with illusionist David Blaine. Dr North joked: 'The Hutton report this week will tell us who is the true master of escapology.'

The survey was conducted on a web site publicised in schools and universities throughout Britain.