Britney named world's sexiest woman
Pop diva Britney Spears was voted the world’s sexiest woman today.
The annual poll for British lads' magazine FHM saw the Born To Make You Happy singer knock last year’s winner, actress Halle Berry, off the top of the list.
Former S Club singer Rachel Stevens is Britain’s sexiest woman, finishing at number two overall.
John Leslie’s former girlfriend Abi Titmuss came a lowly 95th on the FHM 100 Sexiest Woman poll.
US singer Beyoncé Knowles is the world’s third sexiest woman, followed by Starsky and Hutch actress Carmen Electra, singer Holly Valance, Bond star Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez at number seven.
Glamour model Jordan – last year’s number 25 – has moved up the list to number eight.
Britney, 22, has had a rollercoaster few months. She sparked controversy by kissing queen of pop Madonna at the MTV Awards last August and in January she wed childhood friend Jason Alexander in Las Vegas. The marriage was annulled 55 hours later.
This year’s highest new entry is EastEnders actress Michelle Ryan, who plays the soap’s Zoe Slater, at number 22.
FHM’s editor David Davies said: “It’s great to see Britney Spears at the top of the list. She’s had an exciting if controversial 12 months but throughout everything she has always remained sexy.
“The key to winning this competition is sex appeal and as our readers have overwhelmingly demonstrated, Britney’s got it.
“Her antics with Madonna in her video for Me Against the Music helped her secure the top slot.”
FHM 100 Sexiest Women 2004: (2003 position in brackets)
1 Britney Spears (3)
2 Rachel Stevens (4)
3 Beyonce Knowles (15)
4 Carmen Electra (5)
5 Holly Valance (2)
6 Halle Berry (1)
7 Jennifer Lopez (6)
8 Jordan (25)
9 Angelina Jolie (32)
10 Elisha Cuthbert (14)
