A research carried out on 1,000 people in the UK showed that Angelina Jolie, Carol Vorderman, George Clooney and Jonathan Ross are considered the ideal dining companions.

According to the survey, 22 per cent of men chose Jolie, 19 per cent Vorderman, and nine per cent named Jose Mourinho as the desired dining companion. 33 per cent of women opted for Clooney, followed by 18 per cent for Ross and 4 per cent for Radio One DJ Chris Moyles.

The poll also showed that 45 per cent of people wished they would return to a home-cooked meal rather than a romantic evening with their partner.

A chartered counseling psychologist and health psychologist, Dr Ann Thomas, explains the results of this poll:
Modern life, for most of us, is generally very hectic, fast-paced and complicated with lots of juggling.
It is therefore natural for human beings to crave something simple and comforting as an antidote to this.
Cooking and then eating a warming traditional meal is a subconscious wish to reconnect with the safety of our home environment, as well as relaxing and finding sanctuary from the elements and world outside.

George Clooney or Angelina could obviously help us to kick back too, she adds.