No no, not the guy who plays him in the movie. We're talking about the original character from the book... our all-time favourite guy from English literature - the very proper and sophisticated Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy

If you haven't already read 'Pride And Prejudice', go out and grab a copy. Mr Darcy's 'gentlemanly conduct' will have you wishing for an era where men 'called on' women and addressed them as 'madam' and used phrases like 'I thought it would be improper to compromise your rest'. Don't take our word for it... go on, read it.

Vain? Yes. Obnoxious? Immensely. Rude? But of course. He seems unattainable, disinterested and haughty. That instantly qualifies him as a drool-worthy character. There's something appealing about men like that - moody, mysterious and suave, with pots of money!

Yessir! Pots of money, with a HUGE sprawling estate to match. He's the only son of very wealthy parents and the owner of Pemberley, a big-time estate in Austen's England. Now could we ever say 'No' to that?

He's incredibly sexy. He isn't interested in skirt chasing, even if some skirts (Caroline Bingley's in the novel) are more than willing to be chased by him. What interests him instead is Elizabeth Bennet, a woman with a brain. Now if only men in real life were like that too!

We also love the fact that he's honest. Of course, he tends to be a bit too harsh and judgmental. But we'll forgive that 'cause we know he's capable of turning a new leaf, won't we?

Which woman wouldn't love a man who is willing to change his views for her and stand by her even after she rejects his proposal! In the book, Darcy overcomes his pride and stays devoted to Elizabeth, rescues her sister Lydia from disgrace, and even goes against the wishes of his stupid aunt to marry her. If that isn't romance, what is!

He's the inspiration behind many movie hotties. Mr Darcy in Jane Austen's 'Pride And Prejudice' is the original model for every Mills & Boons hero, the aloof, super-rich lawyer Mark Darcy in 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and in Gurinder Chadha's 'Bride And Prejudice'. We're still hung-up on the original. They don't make 'em like that any more.