Dawn's the teenage role model

In an age where success is often equated to slimness, she may seem an unlikely role model.

But generously- proportioned Dawn French triumphed yesterday in a poll to find the personality who has most inspired Britain's young women.

The larger-than-life comedy actress was named the ultimate female role model in a survey of 1,000 schoolgirls aged 16 to 18.

On hearing of her win the 46-year-old Vicar of Dibley star - a size 20 - joked: 'They must have meant roll model!'

She added: 'I am totally gobsmacked. I demand a recount!

'Perhaps the girls thought they were voting for a roll model, in which case I happily accept my champion position because no one knows more about rolls than me.'

One 16-year-old said of Miss French: 'She may not have the

perfect figure, but she's a glowing, funny woman who doesn't take herself too seriously. It's refreshing for someone so successful to be so down to earth.'

Researchers asked pupils at more than 100 state and independent schools to name the contemporary women, living in the UK, who most inspired them in various categories.

Miss French was overall winner with 13 per cent of the votes, ahead of Harry Potter author JK Rowling and the women of Rylstone and District Women's Institute, whose story of how they posed for a nude calendar was told in the film Calendar Girls.

Miss French, who is married to comedian Lenny Henry and has an adopted daughter Billie, 12, was also top role model in the showbusiness category, closely followed by actress Dame Judi Dench, TV presenter Davina McCall and I'm A Celebrity winner Kerry McFadden.

The Queen came top in the category for women in public life, ahead of Margaret Thatcher, lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy and former Speaker of the Commons, Betty Boothroyd.

Runner Paula Radcliffe was top sportswoman, followed by round-the-world yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur. Lisa Potts, who defended her nursery class against a machete- wielding attacker, won the 'women of courage' category.

JK Rowling emerged as the top role model among women of enterprise. Singer Dido was voted number one in the music category, just ahead of Ms Dynamite, with Victoria Beckham third.

Lindsay Nicholson, editor of Good Housekeeping magazine which conducted the poll, said: 'This survey provides a valuable insight into how young women think.

' The overall winner shows young females admiring a woman for " well- rounded" attributes, such as wit, charm and success.

'I'm delighted to see that older women can really hold their own, gaining the respect and admiration of younger generations. It has been fascinating to analyse the different strands of thinking that have gone into these choices.'

Miss French has long been a proud role model for larger women, once making a television documentary in praise of voluptuousness.