Though primarily focused on earnings in the last 12 months, Forbes’ chart also takes into account web search popularity, TV ratings and appearances in the written press as it ranks the world’s 100 most powerful superstars.

Leading the British invasion of the Forbes Celebrity 100 were wrinkled rock-togenerians the Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Co banked $88 million in the last 12 months and ranked 4th overall thanks in the main to their A Bigger Bang stadium world tour. Joining them in the upper echelons of Forbes’ chart were Sir Elton John and pop kingmaker Simon Cowell.

With annual earnings of $33 million and an astronomical level of global fame, former England captain David Beckham was named the world’s 15th most powerful celebrity by Forbes. Goldenballs’ ranking was boosted by a combination of his multimillion dollar deal with Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy and the blanket coverage of his on-field redemption for both Real Madrid and England. Becks, watched by wife Victoria and celebrity friends Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, capped his comeback by helping Real Madrid to a deserved La Liga triumph and completed his 4-year Spanish sortie in fine style.

The global popularity of the Harry Potter books and movies has led to JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson all appearing in the Celebrity 100. Author Rowling banked $32 million and was ranked 48th overall. Radcliffe, with annual earnings of $15 million, confirmed his standing as the world’s richest teenager. His rank of 79th also makes him Forbes’ most powerful teenage star. His co-star Watson, famous for her Potter role of Hermione Granger, placed 97th overall with earnings of $4 million dollars over the last 12 months.