More than half of British men admit to being superstitious

According to a new report one in 10 men have a lucky pair of pants or other item of clothing.

The study showed that of the 2,000 men questioned, a fifth of them will rely on lucky charms when watching a big football tournamnent, rather than counting on strokes of genius on the pitch.

With over half (60%) of them admitting to being superstitious, the research reveals a nation who turn to lucky charms in times of need. The top items include: a penny, a family heirloom, a lucky pair of pants or clothing, a cuddly toy, a four leaf clover and a horse shoe.

Other strange customs aimed at summoning up the luck gods are throwing salt over the left shoulder and always putting the same foot in a pair of socks each time.

The nation’s top 10 lucky charms include finding a penny, an heirloom, cuddly toy, four leaf clover, horse shoe, rabbit foot, dream catcher and wishbone.

Good luck omens are said to be seeing two magpies or a black cat, itchy or tingly hands, seeing a rainbow, getting hit by bird droppings, a red sky at night, when a ladybird lands on you and an itchy ear.

Other slightly more obscure rituals that the nation admitted to performing include, applying a luxury face mask to help the sale of a property, changing shoes before sitting exams, cutting toe nails, sniffing scented pens and running a 10K every day - for 14 days straight!

Jenni Bamford from Menswear retailer Jacamo, who sponsored the report, said: “Our study reveals we’re a nation of superstitious people.”

Famous sportsmen renowned for particularly superstitious behaviour before games included double Olympic Champion, Mo Farah, who revealed he shaves his head before each of his races.