They may be stereotyped as being dour, but Mick McCarthy was anything but yesterday as he topped a national newspaper poll to find the greatest living Yorkshireman.

The Ipswich Town boss led the way ahead of such names as Monty Python legend Michael Palin, cricketer Geoffrey Boycott and Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart.

At 7pm McCarthy had polled 2,570 votes, more than 45% of the total 5,675 votes. “Sir” Geoffrey Boycott was way behind in second, with 1,115 votes.

The poll was conducted after Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement that The Leader of the House of Commons, William Hague, should win the title.

However, McCarthy was nominated, not for his notable success as a player and manager, but for his reputation for one-liners and blunt after-match retorts.

The Barnsley-born 55-year-old, who started his footballing career with his home-town club, cut a slightly bemused figure when the subject arose at the press conference previewing Ipswich’s game at Nottingham Forest, tomorrow.

When told he was topping the poll, McCarthy joked, “Too right ‘an all.

“A friend of mine messaged me yesterday telling me she had just voted for me, which is very kind, but I’m up against a bit of stiff opposition. We’ll see, but if I win it, I tell you what, it (the award) will be on my desk or hanging off my door.

“I was only told about it yesterday, and I am not following it. I do wonder if it is a slight mickey take, but the award could be for the ‘Biggest Plonker’ and at least I am not up there for that one. Some people might not see being voted as the greatest living Yorkshireman as a compliment, but I’ll take it if I win it.”

Also nominated by the Daily Telegraph in its poll are Mr Hague, artist David Hockney and writer Alan Bennett. Notable absentees include chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson, actor Brian Blessed, cricket umpire Dickie Bird, politician David Blunkett and TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson.