Jolie tops powerful celebrities list

Angelina Jolie has been named the most powerful celebrity in the world, dethroning Oprah Winfrey in the process.

The annual Forbes Celebrity 100 Power List sees a strong showing from women, with Madonna and Beyonce Knowles ensuring that the fairer sex takes up four of the top five places.

In a mixed year for Britons, Coldplay led the UK charge coming in at number 15 thanks to the success of their 'Viva la Vida' album. There was, however, no room for chef Gordon Ramsay and Harry Potter writer JK Rowling, both of whom dropped off the list.

The Forbes celebrity power index is determined by annual earnings and media visibility.

Winfrey was named top earner, taking home $275m. But she was beaten to the top by Jolie who despite earning less than a 10th of Winfrey’s wage was named most powerful celebrity due to her near omnipresence in the pages of tabloids and celebrity magazine.

Golfer Tiger Woods came in at fifth on the annual index – the only man represented in the top five.

Commenting on the list, Lacey Rose, senior reporter at Forbes, said: “It really was the year of the woman. What we see at the top of the list is tabloid-targeted people who command a big attraction through their artistic work and at the news stands.”

JK Rowling dropped off the list despite being the highest earner on last year’s list. The lack of a Harry Potter book over the period led to a lower profile for the writer.

And despite picking up an Oscar, there was also no room for Kate Winslet.

Actor Hugh Laurie, the star of the US medical drama 'House', debuted at 94.

Meanwhile the continued success of 'Pop Idol', 'X Factor' and 'Britain’s Got Talent', ensured that Simon Cowell took 25th place, with his earnings for the year estimated at $75m.

Elsewhere, the list included its first sitting head of state.

President Barack Obama, on the back of an historic election win and continued sales of his two books, entered the index at 49.