Social & Personal publisher PJ Gibbons announced TV presenter Dermot O’Leary as the number 1 in the magazine’s Top 100 Sexy Men recently. The list was formally announced at a buzzing Champagne Jacquart reception in Eddie Irvine’s Cocoon bar recently.
O’Leary, who is 34, is the current host of TV’s Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack and ITV’s The X Factor. He has made it clear on numerous occasions in the past that he does not regard himself as British, but as Irish. On claiming the coveted Number 1 spot on the annual poll, which appears in the February issue of Social & Personal, O’Leary admitted to being “overjoyed” by the announcement: “It’s a very nice title, I’m “wowed” by this,” he said.
Restructured this year to include the names of non-citizens who are second or third generation Irish, the list features the names of numerous international hunks, such as Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, actor Aidan Quinn and supermodel Christy Turlington’s husband Ed Burns.
The usual suspects like Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Colin Farrell and Pierce Brosnan appear once again this year. From the business world, Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary makes his first appearance at Number 20, while billionaire businessman Dermot Desmond follows on at Number 21. Just one politician made it onto this year’s list – and it’s not Bertie! Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin TD, takes the honour of being the Sexiest Irish Politician at Number 95.
Among those enjoying the party were Virginia Macari and her new beau, who flew in from Marbella where they now reside. Anna Lavery of Paramount, who is preparing for a very busy year of top classes movie releases, Carol Hayes, Astrid Brennan, Luca Hickey, Joanne Byrne, Mark Underwood and Haley Rock.
The Top Ten Sexiest Men of 2008:
Dermot O’Leary (TV presenter)
Andrew Trimble (Rugby player)
Colin Farrell (Actor)
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Actor)
Patrick Dempsey (American actor)
Calum Best (Playboy)
Aidan Quinn (American actor)
Sean Óg O hAilpín (Hurling player)
Kian Egan (Westlife singer)
Kevin Doyle (Footballer)
