Hit singles from pop world top most eligible Scots

Hit singles from pop world top most eligible Scots

Scotsman.com

November 19,2006

by ANNA MILLAR ( annamillar@scotlandonsunday.com)


IF MUSIC is the food of love then maybe it is time they both released new albums.

Two of Scotland's most successful singers have topped Scotland on Sunday's poll of most eligible Scots.

Former Garbage singer Shirley Manson and Snow Patrol main man Gary Lightbody have taken top billing in Spectrum magazine's 100 most sought-after men and women in Scotland.

The list includes names from across all the genres, including business, media, music, theatre, film and modelling.

Edinburgh singer Manson, violinist Nicola Benedetti and model Lauren Tempany all made the female's top 20. The men's list includes Red Road and Scottish Bafta award winner Tony Curran and Madonna's wedding piper Lorne Cousin.

A new entry, Manson, who was commended in the poll for her charity work and musical contribution, narrowly beat Benedetti to the number one slot. The 19-year-old violinist held on to her position in second place from last year.

Lightbody, up from number four last year, beat new entry Craig Gordon, whose star has been rising since he became goalkeeper for Hearts and Scotland. The 23-year-old footballer came second in the poll, closely followed by Sweet Sixteen and Red Road actor Martin Compston - up from 15th position last year. The 22-year-old has enjoyed critical success over the last year, and is due to star in a film with Hollywood A-lister Robert Downey Jnr next year. Compston said that his top turn-ons in a woman were a "pair of sultry eyes" and a "damsel in distress".

New entries this year on the women's list include actress Shonagh Price, most recently seen in crime thriller Low Winter Sun, Edinburgh International Film Festival director Hannah McGill, and X Factor contestant Kerry McGregor.

The men's list also sees artist Douglas Gordon and ballet dancer Jarkko Lehmus for the first time.

Faces from the world of business were prominent this year. Guillaume Reslou, the 26-year-old business development executive responsible for promoting Moet and Chandon in Scotland polled 16 and admitted that Nicole Kidman was his dream woman: "She's beautiful, professional and a nice woman - the perfect combination."

Communications director Alex Orr was also a new addition, polling at 33 for his public awareness campaign for the Scottish smoking ban. He revealed Kylie Minogue as his dream date and said: "Looks come second to personality."

In the women's poll, 24-year-old distiller Polly MacDonald earned her place at 40 for becoming the first woman in the 132-year history of the Malt Distillers Association of Scotland to be voted on to the management committee. She admitted a penchant for tall men and said that Gerard Butler was her dream date. Butler himself polled at number 10 in the men's list.

This year's judging panel included hairdresser Charlie Miller, fashion and style commentator John Davidson, radio presenter Andy 'Boogie' Bouglas, founder of the Scottish Style Awards Mary McGowne, restaurateur James Thomson, Harvey Nichols' press and marketing manager Annette Lamb and Scotland on Sunday sports writer, Moira Gordon.

Spectrum lifestyle editor Sally Raikes said the annual guide to the 100 most eligible Scots is compiled from months of research: "Competition this year has been especially fierce and our panel of judges have had a tough job narrowing it down to create the best eligible list yet."


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