The three most desirable jobs in Britain are author, librarian and academic

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Forget dreams of a glittering career in Premier League football or Hollywood. The three most desirable jobs in Britain are an author, a librarian and an academic, according to a new study that suggests the country is increasingly bookish in its career aspirations.

The “aura of prestige” connected with a career in writing or academia is preferable to jobs that brought promises of wealth and celebrity status, according to a Yougov survey with more than 14,000 respondents.

Men were far more likely to want to be train drivers, Formula 1 drivers and astronauts, while women were more likely to want to be interior designers, librarians and academics, the study found. More than 40 per cent of male respondents said they would like a career as an MP, compared to just 21 per cent of women.