Cheryl named world’s sexiest woman

CHERYL Cole topped another beauty poll yesterday when she was named FHM’s World’s Sexiest Woman 2009.

The Girls Aloud and X Factor star, who said recently she hates looking thin and gets nicknamed “flatty batty”, knocked last year’s winner, American actress/model Megan Fox, down to second place.

Last year, American pop star Britney Spears languished at number 31, but following an online campaign by fans, she claimed fourth place.

After wowing the US, British actress Anna Friel secured a place at number nine and Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto is a new entry at number 10.

Women with brains as well as looks stormed into the top 100. Newsreader and TV presenter Fiona Bruce and Countdown’s Rachel Riley both made debuts, at numbers 98 and 95 respectively.

Now in its 15th year, nearly 10 million votes were cast by FHM readers worldwide this year.

FHM’s 100 Sexiest supplement is be published in its June edition.