To celebrate Get It On! NZ Bear Week we asked who the sexiest bear in the world is and your answers rumbled in! From sportsmen to movie men to local men, the scope of the nominations pretty much sums up the bear community in all its furry variety. Sporting bears: Gareth Thoman, Ben Cohen and Mr Kennedy Gareth Thomas Out Welsh rugby-turned-league player Gareth Thomas is the "sexiest bear in the world ever", says one GayNZ.com reader. "Apart from obvious reasons masculine sex appeal) he is the best Welsh Rugby player ever! Choosing to come out while in the midst of his career proves has got balls where it counts. Hard out." Ben Cohen Jay reckons English rugby player Ben Cohen is the sexiest bear in the world, as he is a straight man who embraces the gay community: "another reason rugger Ben Cohen remains one of the most popular sports icons among gay men: He is openly supporting Sports Day hosted by Gay Men Fight AIDS, a London-based gay men's health charity." Ken Kennedy Wrestler and actor "Mr Kennedy" has the "sexiest body" reader Steven has ever laid eyes on. The former Army man and security guard won the WWE United States Championship in 2006 and is now back wrestling on the TNA circuit, where he has once held the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Bears on screen: Gerard Butler, George Clooney and Francois Sagat Gerard Butler Scottish actor Gerard Butler gets New Zealand bears sweaty for being "A man a bear and comfortable in his own skin," as Richard puts it. Or as Jasper says "it would have to be Gerard Butler.... such a classic muscle bear... he would make a GREAT pillow, haha." George Clooney One of the most powerful men in Hollywood is "sophisticated, relaxed, intelligent, impossibly handsome and, I bet, a tiger in bed", says Chargn. He isn't Clooney's only gay fan – the actor had a man strip down to his tie and underwear and ask Clooney to kiss him at a Venice press conference. Francois Sagat Sean fancies gay porn star Francois Sagat, a Frenchman who he says "is all muscle and bear and likes to top and bottom in his movies. He has the most amazing physique, complemented by gorgeously fine body hair...not to mention having his head tattooed." Sagat is also lauded as a safe sex champion, having taken part in a French campaign showing a simple way of using condoms and gel in 2009. Those three aren't all. Michael says "while not an obvious bear, the hairy chest and face sported by actor Jake Gyllenhaal do it for him, along with his choice of film roles and support for the glbt community. Hayden says the man who played Tony Soprano, James Gandolfini,would be the ultimate bear: "Solid build, hairy, beautiful eyes and a stunning smile - the perfect bear." Michael has a thing for actor Javier Bardem "because of the deep voice, sexy accent and hairy chest ;)" Local bears: The Urge boys While sportsmen and movie stars were popular nominations, a fair few local men are regarded as the sexiest bears in the world! "I reckon most of the bartenders at Urge are pretty damn sexy," says Jasper. The bar's co-owners Paul Heard and Alan Granville were both nominated, along with bartender turned flight attendant Heath Jones who is said to be "HOTTTTTT and BIGGGGG and HAIRYYYYY ... he also has a beautiful smile and is a very nice guy," says the Heath fan. Auckland real estate agent Yuri received a sexy bear nod as he "has it all", and ooh lala Spencer the French chef at Kamo also made our local bears list for being one of the friendliest and cuddliest guys on K' Rd! It wasn't only Aucklanders, New Zealand AIDs Foundation's Christchurch-based Community Engagement Co-ordinator Hamish Milne is the hairy southern apple of someone's eye! A couple of romantics (awww) nominated their husbands. Our favourite was Morris who says: "My Husbear, I was drawn to him online, hot, tattooed and kinky, the day we met there were sparks and things have only gotten hotter since then. He has endured a two year long distance relationship, then as a commitment to our relationship left his friends and family in the states to move to NZ to be with me. Hell what could be sexier than that? Now I get to enjoy him every day I open my eyes and see him laying next to me." And the list goes on! Teddy Mark, Matt Effect and Yogi Don says Bear Magazine's Teddy Mark is the sexiest bear in the world: "He's the quintessential bear who has all the qualities of a compelling personality, the hirsuteness, the physique and that gorgeous beard!", while Al has nominated Sydney's Matt Effect who he says is the "sexiest DJ downunder". Kenneth believes Bear Grylls because is the best because "he is the ultimate survivor battling the wild. That's hot!" Yogi Bear was also a popular choice! "He is big, furry loves picnics and loves to do it outside, perfect for summer. He has a really cute cub, BooBoo," says Peter, while Lee agrees saying Yogi is "big and cuddly". Jacqui Stanford - 17th February 2011