Wallace & Gromit beat Homer & Marge in the Fictional Double Act Stakes
LONDON, UK, Jan 25 2006 - TV funnymen Ant & Dec have been named Britain's favourite duo in a survey commissioned by Intel. The duo beat comedy greats Morecambe and Wise and the Two Ronnies to take the top honour.
A high profile reality TV show and a judging spot on the X-Factor were enough to secure the title of favourite celebrity love duo for Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne, attracting nearly one third of all votes placed. In distant second were Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, with controversial - and expecting - duo Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie rounding out the top three.
Britain's least favourite celebrity love duos were respectively Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, and Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.
The research was commissioned by Intel to mark the launch of its Intel® Centrino™ Duo mobile internet technology, which allows people to access their favourite entertainment, no matter where they are.
Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were named the nation's favourite film duo, with strong voting from younger respondents driving them to number one position over classic film duos Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Damon and Affleck were also the firm favourite with female voters, while male voters chose Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall as their number one film duo.
Riding the wave of success from their recent blockbuster movie, plasticine superstars Wallace and Gromit took out the title of favourite fictional duo following a hard-fought contest with Homer and Marge Simpson. While men gave the nod to the Simpsons, Wallace and Gromit's popularity with female and older voters gave them the advantage. Cartoon cat and mouse duo Tom and Jerry took bronze in the category.
When asked to rank their favourite television duos, Britain again nominated Ant & Dec as number one, with nearly two in every five women choosing the charismatic team.
Olympic gold medalists Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pincent won yet again as Britain's favourite sporting duo for their efforts as the world's best rowing pair, ahead of ice dancing team Torvill and Dean and tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams.
When asked their favourite music duos, Britain chose enduring acts over more recent collaborations. Beatles song-writing team John Lennon and Paul McCartney were the clear favourites, with Simon and Garfunkel placing second and the Eurythmics' Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart coming in third. Rap duo Eminem and Dr Dre were the number one choice of voters aged between 16-24, but missed out on a place when they didn't score one vote from the over 55's!
The survey, carried out by online research group Tickbox.net between December 2005 and January 2006, polled 3,217 consumers from across the UK, asking them to nominate their favourite duos from film, television, sport, music, fiction and the celebrity world.
About Intel® Centrino® Duo Mobile Technology
As an ultimate on-the-go, all-in-one entertainment device, Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology offers incredible three-dimensional graphics and the ability to watch high-definition television. When enabled with Intel® High Definition Audio, it also has the ability to feature up to 7.1 surround sound with support from Dolby* Digital. Using laptops based on Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology, people can immerse themselves more completely in music, games and HD movies and TV, whether in the car, a coffee shop or on a plane.
The Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology platform is comprised of the Intel® Core™ Duo Processor with dual-core processing and the mobile Intel® 945 Express Chipset family. The platform also includes the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection, Intel's next-generation wireless network connection advancing WLAN performance of standard Wi-Fi networks, and supports enhanced features that make applications more aware, connected and responsive, ultimately delivering a better mobile experience.
Intel Duos Survey Results
Favourite Overall Duo
1. Ant & Dec
2. Morecambe and Wise
3. The Two Ronnies
4. Wallace and Gromit
5. Homer and Marge Simpson
Favourite Celebrity Love Duos
1. Sharon and Ozzie Osbourne (33.1%)
2. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas (12.2%)
3. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (10.5%)
4. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin (7.6%)
5. Posh and Becks (7.5%)
Favourite Film Duos
1. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck (18.0%)
2. Richard Burton and Liz Taylor (13.1%)
3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers (11.8%)
4. The Coen Brothers (10.6%)
5. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall (10.0%)
Favourite Fictional Duos
1. Wallace and Gromit (22.6%)
2. Homer and Marge Simpson (19.9%)
3. Tom and Jerry (16.2%)
4. Romeo and Juliet (7.3%)
5. Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy (5.6%)
Favourite TV Duos1. Ant and Dec (29.9%)
2. The Two Ronnies (20.0%)
3. Morecambe and Wise (16.3%)
4. French and Saunders (11.1%)
5. Baddiel and Skinner (5.1%)
Favourite Sporting Duos
1. Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pincent, Rowing (23.1%)
2. Torvill and Dean, Ice Skating (22.0%)
3. Venus and Serena Williams, Tennis (9.0%)
4. Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, Football (8.2%)
5. Bobby and Jack Charlton, Football (7.6%)
Favourite Music Duos
1. Paul McCartney and John Lennon (18.1%)
2. Simon and Garfunkel (14.8%)
3. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart (13.0%)
4. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeway (5.7%)
5. Elton John and Bernie Taupin (5.6%)
