Cuddly Matthew McConaughey

Jan 31, 2008, 11:35 GMT

01/30/2008 - Camila Alves and Matthew McConaughey - "Fools Gold" World Premiere - Grauman\'s Chinese Theater - Hollywood, CA USA © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Matthew McConaughey has been voted the world's cuddliest celebrity.

The Hollywood heartthrob came out top in a poll of 500 mothers across the US, who were asked to vote for the planet's most huggable star.

The 'Fool's Gold' actor - who was named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2005 - beat off competition from fellow Hollywood hunk George Clooney, who came second, and American football quarterback Tom Brady, who was third.

McConaughey - who is expecting a baby with girlfriend Camilla Alves - saw his cuddly image enhanced earlier this week when his 'Fool's Gold' co-star Kate Hudson claimed he will make "an incredible dad".

She said: "Matthew happens to be one of the most loving and loyal people I know and his family is important to him. He's great with kids and I think he'll be a very responsible and absolute blast of a dad."

Brad Pitt - who like Clooney has twice been voted People's Sexiest Man Alive - took fourth spot in the poll.

The top five is then surprisingly rounded off by politician John Edwards, who recently announced he was withdrawing from the race to become the Democrats' presidential candidate.

The poll was conducted by robbieadrian.com, a maker of toddler and infant blankets.

People magazine's top five Most Cuddly Celebrities:

1. Matthew McConaughey

2. George Clooney

3. Tom Brady

4. Brad Pitt

5. John Edwards

(C) BANG Media International