THERE was one glaringly obvious absence from yesterday's poll of the top 10 coolest people on TV: women.

Can it really be true that there are no women in the history of television cooler than Dylan from the Magic Roundabout?

The Radio Times poll, which surveyed the opinions of 4,000 people, seems to think so.

Voters found Dr Who (as played by David Tennant) to be the "most laid back and sexy star or character on TV", followed closely by thin-lipped Jack Bauer from 24 (Kiefer Sutherland) and amusingly, the distinctly uncool Fonz from Happy Days (Henry Winkler).

Big Brother presenter Dermot O'Leary, the only non-fictional star in the poll, was placed at number seven, while Dylan from the Magic Roundabout was the only animated character to appear in the charts, at nine.

Other notable entries include the suave Mr Darcy from the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth) at number four, the gruff DCI Gene Hunt in Life on Mars (Philip Glenister) at number six, and Sawyer from Lost (Josh Holloway) who was awarded the position of number 10.

To put right this glaring absence of the fairer sex, we have cast our minds back to the history of females in television and here's our alternative list of the coolest women on TV:

  • Betty Boop: With her squeaky little voice and raven black hair, Betty was full of cute, kitsch style. She definitely knew how to work a little red dress, making her one sassy cartoon lady.
  • Chardonnay from Footballers' Wives (Suzie Amy): Aside from the obvious credentials attached with sharing a name with a cheap French wine, with ridiculous storylines including inflammable, exploding silicon implants, Chardonnay couldn't fail to be cool.
  • Gabby from Desperate Housewives: (Eva Longoria): The gorgeous dresses, the shiny hair, the brazil-nut tan; Gabby simply oozes coolness. An ex-model, she turns down male attentions wherever she goes, recently spurning the advances of billionare Zach Young. Very cool.
  • Charlene Mitchell from Neighbours (Kylie Minogue): Frizzy-haired Kylie was the epitome of cool in her Day-glo sweatbands and leggings, as proved by her rise to Princess of Pop.
  • Susan Kennedy from Neighbours (Jackie Woodburne): To everyone's delight, Susan took back Karl after his foolish affair with Issy. Taking in many a waif and stray who find themselves washed up on Ramsay Street, Susan is a rock, which makes her cool.
  • Pat Evans from Eastenders (Pam St Clements): She's always lurking around, ready to lend an ear and brew a cuppa; Pat knows everyone's secrets and isn't afraid to defy fashion with her loud shirts and huge earrings. Individuality and her willingness to listen certainly make Pat one cool, foxy dame.
  • Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances (Patricia Routledge): The Lady of the House, Hyacinth could dress a wall well with bright, flowery walls and doilies aplenty, showing some seriously cool style.
  • Olive Oyl: Olive knew how to make Popeye sweat, being the cause of every scrap he would get into with the brutish Bluto, who was also vying for the fair lady's attentions. Sought after and having a fabulous name, Olive deserves to be called cool.
  • Samantha Jones in Sex and the City (Kim Cattrall): Sassy Samantha was the best thing about the American TV series, exuding a confidence that allowed her to carry off some otherwise hideous outfits. This and her gender-bending attitude, taking on the role of a dominant male, made her an impossibly cool character.
  • Sybil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers (Prunella Scales): Sybil would take up permanent residence by the telephone, twiddling the cord and emitting her long, droning laugh, driving husband Basil mad. Apparently oblivious to his tantrums and tirades, Sybil kept her cool in the most ridiculous of circum