Walking tall with sexiest legs in the land

By Conall O Fátharta

Thursday, June 25, 2009

TELEVISION presenter Miriam O’Callaghan has left some of the country’s most shapely women without a leg to stand on!

The RTÉ star was yesterday judged to have Ireland’s sexiest legs, winning Social & Personal Magazine’s Halifax Sexiest Legs in Ireland 2009 poll.

The 49-year-old may have been overlooked recently as the new host for the Late Late Show but she left many actresses, models and singers in the shade with her prime pins.

Last night, Ms O’Callaghan, a mother of eight, admitted to being amused, flattered and more than a little pleased with the honour.

"When I heard the news, I laughed and thought it was both amusing and flattering," the popular journalist said.

"And to be honest, my legs are exhausted from the hard life I give them, so I’m really glad for their sake that they’re getting some praise and recognition."

Ms O’Callaghan beat off stiff competition from many younger challengers.

These included Kiera Chaplin, granddaughter of comedy icon Charlie Chaplin, who finished second in the poll. The 26-year old actress and model was born in Belfast and raised in Switzerland.

Another 40-something defying the odds and finishing a more than respectable fourth in the poll was Alison Doody.

She became a sex symbol to many male teenagers across the globe after starring alongside Harrison Ford as Dr Elsa Schneider in the 1989 blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Making up the remainder of the Top 5 are Dancing on Ice star and former Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon, along with Dublin-born singer/songwriter Laura Izibor.

Far from being the domain of 20-something models and socialites, the majority in the Top 10 list comprises women in their 30s and 40s.

Ali Hewson, a human rights activist and wife of U2 frontman Bono, came in at number eight in the poll, above former Cranberries lead singer Dolores O’Riordan.

The poll will feature in next month’s issue of Social and Personal magazine.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Thursday, June 25, 2009