Kendall and Kensit Beat Younger Hopefuls In Desirability Survey

In a national survey, actress Felicity Kendall, 64, has beaten fellow light-footed hopefuls to be crowned Strictly Come Dancing's Most Desired. The survey also showed that men fancy retired MP Ann Widecombe four times more than former Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams, and that demure singer Rebecca Ferguson beat brasher auditionees Katie and Cher as 'Sexiest X Factor Contestant'.

Male respondents were asked 'Which Strictly Come Dancing star would you take as your illicit lover?'; over 28% of men chose Felicity, while Holly City actress Patsy Kensit tailed close behind with 24% of the votes. In a shock defeat, Ann Widecombe gained 4 times as many votes as singer Michelle Williams, who has been criticised by judges on the show for her clumsiness.

Researchers also found that quiet 'Scouse beauty Rebecca Ferguson is the most desired woman competing on this year's X Factor, scoring double the number of votes received by mouthy rival Cher Lloyd. In a landslide, Matt Cardle, who in recent weeks has been pegged by bookies as 2010's champion, had adulterous women swooning in the aisles with nearly two thirds voting him their most desired X Factor lover.

The survey, answered by over 2,000 British spouses, was conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK's largest 'affairs' agency. The site has almost 540,000 cheating members across the UK.

"It's interesting that the more self-effacing, humble Saturday night stars are the ones who ladies and gents are secretly pining after", comments the site's spokeswoman Sara Hartley. "Perhaps our guys are interested in discovering Ms Ferguson and co's 'wild sides'. Home-grown celebs like Kendall and Kensit seem far more attainable than American superstars like Michelle Williams, who are viewed as a little more out-of-reach for a fantasy fling.

"And the ladies may be drawn to painter and decorator Matt Cardle’s nervousness and modesty about his exceptional singing talent. If anything is going to calm his nerves, it’s the idea that thousands of housewives across the nation are absolutely besotted with him."

IllicitEncounters.com has been running since 2003. Both Strictly and X Factor are now approaching the half-ways stages of their competitions.