The perfect woman does not exist, a study of men has controversially revealed. In fact, none of the 2000 men studied described their partner as flawless.

Whilst modern day men may be quick to talk about their “ideal woman”, it may not be what they want in reality. The research found that men actually rated their partner at just 67 percent, with common shortfalls including a bad temper, a dislike for sport and an obsession with cleanliness.

Other grumbles which stopped men from seeing their partner as perfect were a tendency to make a big deal of things, poor driving skills and the classic evening distraction- an insistence on watching soaps.

The research, conducted by haircare and grooming expert Remington in the UK, found eight in 10 men are convinced the perfect woman does not exist.

However, the idea of “perfection” isn’t what men are searching for – just a fifth say they’d want their partner to be 100 percent perfect while half feel their current partner is “the one” for them.

“We are surprised that more men are unable to describe their partner as perfect, but it could be that they’re just more realistic in what they want,” Vicky Williams, Remington Marketing Director, said.

“It’s good to see that the images of perfect models and celebrities that flood our media aren’t creating unrealistic expectations in people’s relationships.”

“Of course men may well be vocal in their appreciation of an Angelina Jolie or a Cheryl Cole in the pub with their mates but it shows that they know that these cannot be classed as real women.”

Taking too long to get ready was a big feature on the list of imperfections, “always having to have the last word” was a big critique and some men even said that their partner needed to shave their armpits more.

Six in 10 men feel their partner deliberately tries to change them, with dress sense and diet the areas she’s most keen on fixing.

A surprising one in four men feel their partner tries to influence who they keep as friends and choose to socialise with.

However, more than a third thought that, when their partner does try to change things, it’s usually for the best overall.

If men were to change their partner, the first thing they would do is try to make them be more relaxed, while more optimistically, getting them to enjoy sport and be more adventurous also featured in the list of what men would change.

One in four cheeky chaps even think their partner has let themselves go a bit since they first met.

Additionally, just four in 10 men were confidently able to say that they fully understand their partner; in fact, a puzzled seven in 10 said their partner often throws them with mood swings that they didn’t see coming.

But while perfection may not be real, men do appreciate their other halves. A quarter admit that they are “punching above their weight” in relationship terms, and 45 percent would readily admit their partner is the more attractive person.

The research follows a study in December of last year in which 2000 women studied rated their partners at 69 percent perfect.

“In any relationship it’s not about striving to be perfect, but getting that balance between staying true to who you are and going the extra length to please a partner,” Williams said. 

“While working on your appearance is something both genders appreciate in a partner, the biggest imperfections cited by both sexes are just little things that can easily be changed.

“The average woman may not be able to compete with the image of a Miranda Kerr but there are still a number of small changes they can do to make a big difference.

“Of course, there’ll always be disputes over what to watch on TV, driving styles and housework, but that shouldn’t determine whether people are right for one another.”

When it comes to relationships things really do get better with age. Under-25s rated their partner’s most harshly in terms of perfections while the over-55s scored their partners the most favourably.

Those under 25 were also twice as likely as the older generations to believe in the concept of a completely perfect woman.