Single dad, Michael Jackson has come top of a survey about celebrity dads conducted by global online dating service, Match.com.

The survey polled 500 singles to find the least admired celebrity father, an overwhelming 64 percent voted for the pop star. Steve Bing, US businessman and father to Liz Hurley's son, Damian came second with 17 percent, while England footballer Dwight Yorke, the father of model Jordan's baby, came in at third place with nine percent.

Three quarters of single parents who voted for Jackson have children under five themselves. Steve Bing was particularly unpopular among British women, with more than one fifth of those responding, choosing him after he abandoned Liz Hurley, leaving her to bring up their baby alone.

Unsurprisingly, England football captain David Beckham took the title of most admired father, with just over one third of the votes. He was closely followed by "Saint" Sir Bob Geldof , himself a single parent, with 25 percent. Becks and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver were more popular choices among the women who voted in the survey, while Tony Blair and Prince Charles generated more respect from the male voters. Oasis star Liam Gallagher, a father of three, only managed to scrape one percent of the vote in the most admired dad category.

65 percent of all people responding to the survey agreed patience was the most important quality a father could have followed by being a good listener. Generosity was deemed unimportant with just three percent of the votes.