At last. We can all stop posing and reach for the slippers now the truth is out. Far from being dangerous sexual predators with a roving heart and a glint in the eye, most men believe in monogamy and prefer the family life to the high life.

Forget New Lads, attitude and the exploits of York's very own womanising hairdresser Lawton Henry. As the Gallagher brothers and David Beckham appear set to opt for a life of domestic bliss, a new survey has revealed that nearly four-fifths of British men actually believe in being faithful to their partner.

If Mick Jagger had really wanted to find satisfaction, the survey by Men's Health magazine to mark Men's Health Week this week reveals, he never needed to look any further than Bianca.

Married men say they are far more satisfied with life than those who are widowed, separated or divorced - and almost four fifths of men believe people who are in relationships are happier than those who aren't.

Relationships expert Dr Raj Persaud admits the findings go against the received view of commitment-shy blokes who like nothing more than playing the field.

"But it could be that men have themselves been duped by the male image promulgated by the lads mags and advertising. They might believe they will be more popular with their mates if they don't indicate their true preference for family life."

In a further blow to modern masculinity, the survey also reveals we're becoming a nation of male blubberers. More than half of men today say they're prepared to cry in public - and while dour Yorkshiremen are less likely to publicly burst into tears than men elsewhere in the country, there are still 49 per cent of Yorkshiremen who admit they could do so.

There is, thankfully, one hint that men's interest in marriage might not be entirely down to the fact we're suddenly all passionately devoted to slippers, hot meals and looking after the children.

More than a third of men admit they feel under pressure to impress in the bedroom - but that drops to just 29 per cent among married men.

So that's all right then. It's really all just ego and good old-fashioned male laziness and selfishness after all.