Why Mr Average is not the man we'd love to date

Sadly, the one you wake up with really can't compare. Forget the Merc, Mr Average drives a Ford Fiesta, lives with his mother - and spends 24 hours a week in front of the TV.

If that's a depressing vision, perhaps now is a good time to return to Mr Right.

A poll last week revealed that the typical woman's imaginary partner is clean-shaven, well-educated, good-looking, and has never been married.

He has no children and likes to eat out regularly - presumably picking up the bill once in a while.

This is a man most would like the sound of.

However, his distant cousin Mr Average will probably strike a more familiar note.

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According to a separate survey, the typical 25-year-old never brings his girlfriend flowers, takes her out to dinner just once a month, buys his underwear at Marks & Spencer, and works in the construction industry.

And he's hardly a romantic. The Average British Boyfriend Survey found that 69 per cent of those polled don't like taking short breaks and 24 per cent admitted to being unfaithful.

Meanwhile, 84 per cent are happy to ditch their partner and go out with friends, the survey reveals.

But if you thought his bedroom prowess might make up for the lack of romance, you'll be disappointed. Sex happens just twice a week and lasts for 22 minutes.

Chantelle Horton, deputy editor of young women's magazine More, which carried out the research, said: "It's good to know how our boyfriends measure up and whether or not it's time to whip them into shape.

"UK guys need to raise their romance game. They only buy us one meal a month which really is not very impressive.

"And a nice Sunday drive in a flash car wouldn't go amiss either - not a Fiesta. So he'd better get himself off down the car dealership."

The survey found that Mr Average's girlfriend would like to date TV presenter Dermot O'Leary and the actor Brad Pitt.

But perhaps she should be grateful her boyfriend isn't a little more unpredictable. Babyshambles singer Pete Doherty, the comedian Russell Brand or George Best's son Callum are the men she rates as the worst dates.

For his part, Mr Average thinks the TV presenter Fearne Cotton and actress Kelly Brook would be his ideal girlfriend.

Much as women like the idea of the perfect partner, there must be a reason most of us will settle for Mr Not-Quite-Right - and it isn't just his blue eyes.

Of course, it may help that he's 5ft 10in, weighs 11st 5lb, drinks less than the recommended weekly limit, and is a non-smoker who can run a mile in under ten minutes.

Then again, it might just be that we're suckers for a man who loves his mum - and calls his girlfriend every day.