The survey, conducted by onepoll.com, revealed Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise as the world’s sexiest diminutive male celebrity. The Mission Impossible star, who stands at 5 feet 7 inches tall, claimed top spot ahead of a plethora of pint-sized British stars. Cruise’s height, or lack of it, was memorably highlighted by his ex-wife Nicole Kidman who, following their 2001 split, quipped “now I can wear high heels again”.

Cruise’s triumph re-affirms his appeal amongst movie fans despite the recent ups and downs in his career. In June, the German government recently banned him from shooting a movie in the country owing to his close ties with Scientology and the fact that the dignity of Blenderblock memorial site in Berlin would be tarnished. After three months of wrangling, the ban was recently lifted after officials relented. Despite this, Cruise has maintained his position as one of Hotlist’s most searched for stars thanks in part to regular appearances with wife Katie Holmes at the side of David and Victoria Beckham.

Sexy shortlist – best of the rest

Although American star Cruise topped the onepoll chart, the remainder of the Top 10 was chock-full of British stars. Following Tom into second place was Top Gear TV star Richard Hammond whose 5 feet 7 inch frame often leaves him in the shadows of fellow presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May. Rounding off the top 3 was pop star Mark Owen whose high placing stemmed from Take That’s enormously successful comeback.

The top sports star in the Top 10 was Formula 1 prodigy Lewis Hamilton who placed fourth. Close behind was jazz muso Jamie Cullum who, at 5 feet 4 inches, is regularly dwarfed by his supermodel partner Sophie Dahl. The remaining Top 10 places went to England striker Michael Owen (6th), Atonement star James McAvoy (7th), Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones (8th), TV presenter Declan Donnelly (9th) and top movie star Robert Carlyle (10th).