Gerard Butler beats Susan Boyle to be crowned top Scot

HOLLYWOOD actor Gerard Butler has been named Scot of the Year after an internet vote, it was announced today.

Butler received 66 per cent of votes in the poll which started in December.

Singer Susan Boyle took second place with 26 per cent and poet Robert Burns came third with 5 per cent.

More than 2,000 people took part in the poll run by ScotsCare, a charity that provides financial assistance and employment and training opportunities to Scots living in London.

A spokeswoman for the charity said the owner of Harrods, Mohamed al-Fayed, who received 2 per cent of votes, was included in the list of names after reports he wanted to be leader of an independent Scotland.

ScotsCare chief executive Willie Docherty said: "Gerard has certainly proved a popular winner amongst the females in our office.

"We had a great list of contenders that would do any country proud."

He added: "Burns day is a very fitting time to celebrate the great people associated with Scotland."