Neeson tops ‘love poll’ as perfect date

He has played a Jedi knight, an Irish revolutionary leader and a German who saved over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust.

But for Irish women, Liam Neeson’s biggest role is when he is simply himself, with 22% saying the Antrim-born actor is Ireland’s hottest man and they would like him as their Valentine’s date.

According to a “love poll” carried out by Ladbrokes, Hollywood heart-throb Colin Farrell comes a close second, followed by Bressie (musician Niall Breslin) and Shame star Michael Fassbender.

A quarter of women said they would trade in their partner or boyfriend for one night with their favourite celebrity.

And although known globally for their charming nature, Irish men came out the wrong end of the result when it came to impressing Mná na hÉireann, with a massive 65% stating Irish men are not romantic.

It’s not all bad news for men on Valentine’s Day though, with 89% of women suggesting “the spark” can be kept alive in a long-term relationship.

Launching the poll was horse trainer Peter “Racy” Casey, his wife and models Tiffany Stanley and Rosanna Davidson. Mr Casey hit the headlines recently with his explicit comments live on RTÉ Racing, saying: “I’ll have fucking sex tonight” to an astonished Tracey Piggott.

A video clip of the comments has made Mr Casey an internet sensation.

“It’s all anyone wants to talk to me about since I said that on telly,” said Ireland’s newest lothario. “Stop talking about it and go and do it, that’s my advice.”