Zeta Jones tops the advert earnings

Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones has been revealed as the celebrity who earns most from an advertising deal, thanks to a reported €16.2m payment to promote telecoms giant T-Mobile.

The glamorous star was the only Brit on the top 10 compiled by US industry magazine Adweek, easily beating fellow Hollywood beauties Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman.

They each pocketed €9.7m to endorse St John and Chanel No 5 respectively.

Zeta Jones’ campaign for T-Mobile was only used in America.

Adweek said her two-year contract signed in 2002 to appear in TV and print advertising was still considered one of the most lucrative endorsement deals ever made.

It was renewed last year, the magazine said.

Brad Pitt was the only man to make the list, taking eighth place for his €3.2m deal to promote Heineken beer.

In fourth place was actress Jessica Simpson, who netted €6.1m to advertise Guthy-Renker.

Next came Gwyneth Paltrow and Charlize Theron, who each made a reported €4.9m for deals with Estee Lauder and Dior.

Julia Roberts was said to have earned €4m from Gianfranco Ferre, and Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz €3.2m each from L’Oreal.