According to FHM, "winning the coveted Sexiest Woman in the World crown is yet another reason for Cheryl to celebrate. Since separating from her footballer husband Ashley in February she’s scored a new legion of male fans, racked up a number one single and album and is hotly tipped to be a judge on the US version of the X Factor.
Cheryl’s victory marks the first time a British star has won the prestigious accolade for two consecutive years. The only other Brits to take the title during the poll’s 16 year history are Keira Knightley (2006) and Kelly Brook (2005).
FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2010 sees a bumper year for home-grown talent, with four other Brits storming into the top ten. Saturdays favourite Frankie Sandford climbed 13 places from last year taking her up to fourth. She failed to challenge Cheryl to the crown but beat off competition from model Keeley Hazell who took fifth place for a second year.
Following a massive surge in the final stages of voting Kelly Brook shot up from 48th to reach seventh place. Abbey Clancy’s fans did her proud; the model has entered the top ten for the first time up a further two places from last year at number ten.
Twilight actress Kristen Stewart makes her debut at number six (the only new entry to grace the top ten) with her fellow cast member Ashley Greene in at number 20. Stunning Victoria’s Secret underwear models Marisa Miller and Adriana Lima took third and eighth places respectively.
She may have been thrust into the limelight for all the wrong reasons but Tiger Woods’ betrayed wife Elin Nordgeren has undoubtedly won the public’s support. The former model entered this year’s list for the first time at number 65 while her husband’s alleged mistresses all failed to make an impression.
Jenson Button took poll position in the battle of the babes. The F1 champion’s model girlfriend Jessica Michibata made a new entry at 69 while his McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton’s beau Nicole Scherzinger slipped thirteen places to 73.
While Frankie Sandford remains officially the hottest member of The Saturdays two of her fellow bandmates made their debuts as new entries. Irish beauty Una Healey ranked at a very respectable 19th with Rochelle Wiseman just edging in at 98. Neither Mollie King or Vanessa White featured in the top 100.
Sarah Harding is the second highest ranking Girls Aloud member again this year and her stint as a sexy St Trinian’s schoolgirl helped her jump over 50 places to 35. Nadine Coyle (59), dropped two places, while bandmates Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh were overlooked for a second year running.
It was another strong year for actresses with Jessica Alba (9) maintaining her top ten position for a second year. Eva Mendes (11) and Hayden Panettiere (12) both fared well and Bond Girl Gemma Arterton gained ten places on her 2009 position to reach 22. A new entry for Avatar star Zoe Saldana sees her at 24 and Harry Potter actress Emma Watson made it in to the top 50 for a second year running jumping 18 places to 29. Yummy mummy Angelina Jolie dropped 56 places to 70 but still managed to beat off competition from love rival Jennifer Aniston who limped in at number 81.
Coronation Street trounced Hollyoaks and Emmerdale in the battle of the soap babes with Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) making her first entry in the top 100 at number 30. She beat off competition from Jennifer Metcalfe (40), fellow cast member Helen Flanagan (86) and Emmerdale actress Alice Coulthard (90).
The music industry saw new entries from N-Dubz singer and FHM cover star Tulisa Contostavlos, Lady Gaga, Gabriella Cilmi, X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and Pixie Lott.
Other newcomers include Gary Lineker’s new wife Danielle Bux, and Agent Provocateur model Rosie Huntington-Whitely. We also saw re-entries from newly-engaged Charlotte Church and Sienna Miller who both featured in the 2008 list but failed to register enough votes to rank last year.
Notable exclusions from the top 100 include Kate Moss and troubled actress Mischa Barton as well as lad’s mag favourite Gemma Atkinson and TV presenter Alexa Chung. Despite pulling off a monumental comeback last year to secure fourth place Britney Spears continued her fall from favour, the 2004 champ ranked at 44th this year.
Each 100 Sexiest poll throws up some unusual suggestions and this year was no exception. National treasure Delia Smith got a nod, as did drag queen Jodie Harsh, former Pop Idol Michelle McManus and even our very own monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Now in its 16th year, FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll is the original and biggest search for the sexiest women in the world. This year over one million votes were cast by FHM readers worldwide.
Colin Kennedy, Editor-in-chief of FHM commented: “That other election might be a close-run thing but this equally important poll was so one-sided this year that some bookies have already paid out on Cheryl Cole. After hogging the headlines and dominating TV screens for 12 solid months the nation’s sweetheart romped home for a second successive year, leaving all challengers in her curvaceous wake.”
He added: “With very strong showings for Frankie Sandford and hot newcomers like Twilight star Kristen Stewart, perhaps Cheryl should start looking over that perfectly sculpted shoulder. Or at least, showing a bit more leg.”
FHM's 100 Sexiest supplement, featuring the hottest women in the world, comes free with the June edition of FHM, on sale now.
To see the more of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World visit www.fhm.com/100sexiest"
