New book reveals UK's Mr Average

New book reveals UK's Mr Average and more... From the world's top ten cosmetic surgery procedures to the largest letter writing nations, The Top Ten of Everything 2002, published by Dorling Kindersley, contains over 1,000 fascinating lists creating a unique snapshot of life at the beginning of the 21st Century. Compiled by famed list-master, Russell Ash, it reveals the latest statistics, and often surprising world trends, of the past 12 months. Move over Mr Smith of Acacia Avenue... And make way for the new Millennium's thoroughly modern Mr Average, which has been revealed in this year's edition. He has been exposed as David Jones, married to Margaret with two children called Chloe and Jack. He also owns a goldfish and has a Labrador retriever called Max, and lives in High Street of a village called Newton. Oh, and by the way, he probably drives a Ford Focus! Romance beats crime hands down If you think romance is dead, you're wrong! New stats in Top Ten of Everything 2002 show that UK is still a nation of romantics. Romance authors Catherine Cookson, Danielle Steel and Josephine Cox top the list of the most borrowed adult authors in the UK (1999-2000), followed by crime writers, Dick Francis, Jack Higgins and Ruth Rendell at positions 4, 5 and 6. Further proof of the UK's romantic inclination is evident in our choice of music; You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling is revealed as the top karaoke tune, while Titanic's My Heart Will Go On makes it to Number 1 in the top 10 most requested songs at funerals (closely followed by Candle in the Wind and Wind Beneath My Wings). Looking for your ideal woman? Then head for the former Eastern bloc - for the second year running, Latvia is the country where women most outumber men (120 to 100), closely followed by Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Estonia and Lithuania. But take care - Latvia has been revealed as the most accident-prone country, while Lithuania, Russia and Belarus have been revealed as the most suicidal nations. Alternatively, if you're on the hunt for the man of your dreams, you could start looking in Qatar, which has more men to women - nearly double - than any other country. Unlucky colour given green light Commonly thought to be the unluckiest colour for a car, green has been given a reprieve. In a brand new list this year, black has been has been found to be the most accident-prone car colour, ahead of white, red and blue (green comes in at number 9). And, although often thought to be the safest colour, especially at night, these new figures also refute the myth that white cars are the safest on the road, coming in at Number 2 in the same list. Trees, lamp posts and crash barriers are among the list of those objects most frequently involved in road accidents in the UK, with no object involved coming first. The Top Ten of Everything 2002, by Russell Ash, published by Dorling Kindersley. For further information, or to interview the author, please contact Antonia Wilkinson on 020 7010 3513, or by email, antonia.wilkinson@dk.com More Top Ten lists to tickle your fancy! Baked Bean Consumers Most Common Types Of Property Lost On London Transport 1 UK 1 Books, cheque books 2 Ireland & credit cards 3 Mexico 2 'Value items' (purses, wallets etc.) 4 New Zealand 3 Clothing 5 =Australia 4 Cases and bags =France 5 Umbrellas 7 Switzerland 6 Mobile telephones 8 Saudi Arabia 7 Keys 9 =Canada 8 Spectacles =USA 9 Jewellery, cameras, laptops etc. 10 Gloves Youngest Female Singers To Have Films With The Most Extras A No. 1 In The UK 1 Helen Shapiro (14 years) 1 Gandhi (300,000) 2 Billie (15) 2 Kolberg (187,000) 3 Tiffany (16) 3 Monster Wang-magwi (157,000) 4 Nicole (17) 4 War and Peace (120,000) 5 Britney Spears (17) 5 Ilya Muromets (106,000) 6 Sandie Shaw (17) 6 Tonko (100,000) 7 Mary Hopkin (18) 7 The War of Independence (80,000) 8 Sonia (18) 8 Around the World in 80 Days (68,894) 9 Christina Aguilera (18) 9 Dny Zrady (60,000) 10 Connie Francis (19) 10 Intolerance (60,000) Did you know...? ...China is bordered by a whopping 13 countries, including Russia, Nepal and Afghanistan. ...Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' is still her best-selling single in the UK (although it never made Number 1, being held at Number 3 in the UK charts). ...'Consensus' is the most commonly misspelled word in the English language, closely followed by 'innovate', 'practice/practise' and 'facsimile'. The Top Ten of Everything 2002, by Russell Ash, is published by Dorling Kindersley. For further information, or to interview the author, please contact Antonia Wilkinson on 020 7010 3513, or by email, antonia.wilkinson@dk.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/09/18/20010918BIT01230/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/09/18/20010918BIT01230/bit0002.pdf