The year is a mere fortnight old and already it has its defining male sex symbol. He's being swooned over online and excitedly discussed around water coolers. Who is this hunky successor to the likes of razor-cheekboned Benedict Cumberbatch, brooding Ryan Gosling and scythe-wielding Aidan Turner?It's, well, a 55-year-old lawyer who's nothing special in the looks department. Form an orderly queue, ladies.Dean Strang is the attorney for Steven Avery, a Wisconsin convict who was wrongfully imprisoned for 18 years, only to be released and charged with murder two years later.Their addictively compelling story is currently the subject of Netflix true crime series Making a Murderer - the talked-about TV hit du jour.As the saga's emotional and moral centre, Strang has become the surprising target of fluttering eyelashes on both sides of the Atlantic.A short, nerdy, unassuming Midwest lawyer who wears wire-framed specs, high-street suits, button-down shirts and Argyle socks, he couldn't be more nondescript if he tried.He resembles Stephen Colbert's square big brother, or a younger Theo Dragon's Den Paphitis. Yet somehow Strang has emerged as an unlikely heart-throb. His army of acolytes style themselves as "Strangers" and use the Twitter hashtag #strangcrush.Hollywood actresses Kristen Bell, Emma Roberts and Uzo Aduba are among thousands who have taken to social media to declare their love.There's even a Tumblr blog entitled StrangCore, dedicated to his "normcore" style - cable-knit jumpers, leisure polos and dad jeans - accessorised with a Dell laptop and Thermos of coffee.I am a 45-year-old father who wears glasses, knitwear and has what's politely referred to as "a dad bod". So naturally, I welcome this news with open arms. Youth and beauty get quite enough glory. It's about time we average Joes had some attention.So, why Strang? Well, in a grim tale of rape, murder, corruption and justice gone wrong, he's a beacon of hope. His compassion for his client and tireless commitment to clearing Avery's name are inspiring.He's intelligent, indefatigable and noble, with nice Playmobil hair and a kindly twinkle.But why now?Well, it's a cruel world out there and these are uncertain times. There's a lot to worry about. People want the reassurance of old-fashioned certainties. Men like Strang represent honesty, integrity, calmness and competence.He's the thoroughly decent sort whom you trust to fight the good fight, do the right thing and help those in need. What's more appealing than being capable, true and kind?The hoary cliché is that "women love a bastard", but beyond their impressionable teens and carefree 20s, the appeal of man-children and bad boys tends to pall. Young men are more interested in selfies, casual sex and sit-ups than trifling matters like love and loyalty.By contrast, Strang is a proper grown-up. A real man. He's in a position of responsibility but wears it lightly, with the quiet confidence that comes from a career's worth of experience.He's strong, sincere and stoic. He can probably change a plug or a nappy as well as he pursues justice. He's got character - the kind you can't learn from a self-help book or buy online.Who are the British Dean Strangs? The UK's worldly wise, weirdly attractive men of a certain age? I give you astronaut Tim Peake, physicist Brian Cox and panel-game fixture David Mitchell.In the wake of last year's "Milifandom" phenomenon, even Labour's Hillary Benn has his admirers.On TV, Martin Freeman's Dr Watson is fast becoming a bigger lust object than Cumberbatch's Sherlock, while Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, Michael Palin and Mark Rylance cause an involuntary ripple among many female viewers whenever they step on-screen.Yes, he might be oft-overlooked but the middle-aged man is having a moment. As the winningly modest Strang chuckled in a recent interview when asked about his sudden sex- symbol status: "My wife finds this very, very hard to believe. I mean very hard to believe."So does mine, Dean. But let's all of us enjoy it while it lasts. ©The Daily Telegraph..