Fathers tend to express their love by paying for meals, carrying out DIY tasks, and using the thumbs-up emoji, according to a survey of 2,000 adults. The poll revealed that nearly half (49%) believe their dad would describe himself as 'not good at emotional stuff'.

Instead, lending tools, assisting with house moves, and checking car tyres and oil are other ways fathers show their love. A third described their father's texting style as 'brief', while 9% found them filled with emojis. Some of the most common phrases people hear from their dad included 'You'll be alright', 'Need anything?' and 'Keep going'.

A spokesperson from Funky Pigeon, which has created a quiz where you can test your fluency in 'Dad Speak', said: "Sometimes it can be hard to show real emotion.

"For many of us, our dads grew up in a world where expressing emotion wasn't always encouraged - where a pat on the back might've stood in for 'I love you', and a raised eyebrow counted as a heartfelt pep talk.

"Times are changing, and while some dads still find it hard to open up, we're seeing more and more moments where that emotional armour slips - a quiet tear at a wedding, a thumbs-up that means the world.

"These gestures might be subtle, but they speak volumes."

The survey also found that 35% don't think their dad is good at dealing with emotions – with 14% claiming they have never hugged their dad.

Nearly a fifth of people have also never expressed their love to their fathers. Similarly, 19% have never exchanged texts with them.

Almost three in 10 people have never heard their dads say "I love you", with men being less likely to hear it than women. The same percentage would find it emotional if their dads suddenly said they were proud of them.

Over half of those polled think their dads are not physically affectionate, but it seems the feeling can be mutual. A quarter of people never ask their dads about their feelings, while 49% rarely or never have in-depth conversations with them.

A spokesperson from Funky Pigeon commented: "We often joke about the 'dad grunt' - that universal sound that somehow covers everything from 'I'm proud of you' to 'don't forget your coat'.

"But behind the jokes is a real truth: dads feel just as much as anyone else, even if they don't always have the words to say it.

"There's something incredibly moving about seeing a dad trying to express what's in his heart, especially if it doesn't come naturally.

"Whether it's awkward hugs, long silences, or carefully chosen words, those small moments of effort are often the most meaningful of all."