Harry Potter actress flies from Hogwarts to top of eligibles list

Published on Sunday 18 November 2007 00:52

A MAGICAL year for actress Katie Leung has been capped by being voted the "hottest" Scotswoman in the country.

The 20-year-old Harry Potter film star, who plays the boy wizard's girlfriend Cho Chang, has topped the list of Scotland's most eligible women just three weeks after being named the nation's most stylish female.

Leung, from Motherwell, has risen to global fame after beating off 4,000 other hopefuls for the plum role. She says she likes "creatives who think outside the box - not pretty boys who spend too long getting ready".

Second on the Scotland on Sunday Eligibles List - compiled by a panel of experts - is Sarah Playfair, the 22-year-old from North Berwick who has taken motor racing by storm. Third is Nicola Benedetti, the 20-year-old violinist from West Kilbride, who has spent the year consolidating her success as one of Britain's most talented classical musicians.

The biggest surprise in the male list is the inclusion of John "Smeato" Smeaton, the baggage handler who heroically tackled one of the Glasgow Airport terrorists earlier this year, at number three.

According to the judges, Smeato, 31, who still lives at home with his parents, can only be beaten as a prize catch by Dr Who star David Tennant and tennis player Jamie Murray.

As the panel tells aspiring partners: "You'll feel as safe as houses in his company and you'll never have to lug a suitcase anywhere ever again."

Tennant, 36, occupies the number one slot despite labelling himself "the least sexy man on the planet". Jamie Murray is in second place after winning the mixed doubles at Wimbledon and putting brother Andy in the shade.

The judges included Annette Lamb, marketing manager at Harvey Nichols, and Mary McGowne, founder of the Scottish Style Awards.