The sexiest newsreaders of all time.

Five’s Natasha Kaplinsky and ITN’s Mark Austin made the headlines yesterday when an online survey voted them the sexiest newsreaders of all time.

Mark, who recently anchored ITV News’ coverage of the Olympic Games, edged home ahead of silver fox Sir Trevor McDonald and the brooding Dermot Murnaghan, currently on Sky News.

Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Natasha waltzed to a more convincing victory, gaining 25% of the vote. Fiona Bruce, soon to step into Michael Aspel’s loafers on Antiques Roadshow, came second, while veteran high-kicker Angela Rippon took third place.

Despite losing out on the individual honours, the BBC won the team award for all-round attractiveness with a convincing 56% share, ahead of ITV (30%) and Channel 4 (10%)

As well as being a bit of fun, the poll also offers a fascinating insight into modern social attitudes. For instance, 15% of viewers base their news-watching habits on the sexiness of the newsreader, while 33% thought that ratings would “soar” if female presenters wore low-cut tops.