‘Why are England so bad at football?’, ‘Is the X-Factor fixed?’ and ‘What is the Government going to cut next?’ were the most commonly asked questions of 2010, it was revealed.
Statistics from internet search engine Ask Jeeves reveal that users were obsessed with England’s dismal showing at the South African World Cup this summer.
Other popular questions were ‘Is the X-Factor fixed?’ following viewers complaints that some contestants were being favoured over others.
The highly-topical ‘What is the Government going to cut next?’ and a question on everyone’s lips, ‘Who is Justin Bieber?’, also made the top five.
Ask Jeeves receives a staggering 360,000 direct questions and an average 1.8million queries – such as basic name searches – every day.
Spokeswoman Nadia Kelly said: ”Obviously with the volume of enquiries we receive on a daily basis it would be impossible to talk about all of them, so we have chosen to pick out some of the more prominent and frequent questions posed by Brits.
”And many of those questions focus on popular culture, celebrities and things which affect life on a daily basis.
”As one of the biggest football supporting nations, it is only natural Brits would focus their attentions on the success of the World Cup, as well as the behaviour of England’s players over the past year.
”For one reason or another, the footballers have provided us with plenty to talk about with their antics both on the pitch, and off it.
”Is the X Factor fixed?’ is another question which was asked by thousands of Brits this year.”
Furious X-Factor viewers complained to Ofcom and via social networking sites after Gamu Nhengu was voted out despite a stunning performance of Pixie Lott’s ‘Cry Me Out’.
Since the new government came into power the search engine has been inundated with people asking ‘What is the Government going to cut next?’, ‘Did I vote for the right party?’ and ‘Will I still get child benefit?’
‘Who is Justin Bieber?’ also featured as one of the most asked questions this year, as the world tries to find out more about the Canadian teen pop star.
The talented 16-year-old had a worldwide top 10 hit with his single ‘Baby’ after becoming an overnight sensation on You Tube.
‘Do all footballers cheat?’ also appeared with Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, John Terry and Peter Crouch all falling victim to kiss and tell-style tales this year.
Unsurprising then that thousands of people have typed in ‘Why didn’t Coleen leave Wayne?’ over the past two months.
Another question posed to the site by gadget lovers and techies nationwide, was ‘Should I buy an iPad?’
The multi-functional portable tablet sold more than two million in the first two months of being on sale.
Television programmes such as Glee, Big Brother and EastEnders have all had Brits talking this year with questions such as ‘What is Glee?’, ‘Will Big Brother ever come back?’ and ‘Who killed Archie Mitchell?’ all featured regularly since January.
Nadia Kelly added: ”We’re probably all sick of hearing about the X-Factor and the whole ‘is it or isn’t it fixed’ debate.
”But it continues to be something people are fixated on, and probably will be until the series ends at Christmas.
”As well as television shows, unusual news stories also appear to be something people pick up on and enquire about on our website.
”The survival of the Chilean miners, the ash cloud, and the woman who put the cat in the bin all had people concerned for weeks on end.”
Some of the other more obscure searches posted on the site include ‘Where can I buy a micro pig?’ and ‘Where can I buy a vuvuzela?’
FASTEST RISING SEARCHES OF 2010 AS SELECTED BY ASK JEEVES
1. Why are England so bad at football?
2. Is the X-Factor fixed?
3. What is the Government going to cut next?
4. Who is Justin Bieber?
5. Did I vote for the right party?
6. Do all footballers cheat?
7. Should I buy an iPad?
8. What is Glee?
9. Why didn’t Coleen leave Wayne?
10. Will Big Brother ever come back?
11. Why didn’t Cheryl put Gamu through?
12. Where can I buy a micro pig?
13. Will I still get child benefit?
14. How are the Chilean miners surviving?
15. Where is the ash cloud?
16. Why did that woman put the cat in the bin?
17. When will the recession end?
18. Who killed Archie Mitchell?
19. Where can I buy a vuvuzela?
20. Where is Raoul Moat?
