FHM's 100 Sexiest Women (UK)

FHM's 100 Sexiest Women was an annual listing compiled by the monthly British men's lifestyle magazine FHM, based on which women they believe to be the "sexiest". As of 2017, each year's list is first announced through a section on FHM's official website, FHM.com. The first listing was published in 1995 and was voted for by a panel of 250 judges. The inaugural winner was German supermodel Claudia Schiffer. From 1996 to 2015, the poll was instead voted for by the general public with, at its height, several million votes being cast each year. Subsequent winners have included the British singer Cheryl, the American actress Halle Berry, and Jennifer Lopez.[nb 1] At 36 years old, Berry is the oldest woman ever to top the listing, while Lopez is the first to top the list more than once. By the time FHM ceased publication of its print edition in January 2016, the 100 Sexiest Women list had been compiled 21 times.[2] The most recent holder of the Sexiest Woman title is the Israeli Actress Gal Gadot in 2017.

Logo for FHM. The capitals letters F, H and M are spelled out close together in a large red font with a black shadow.
Upper body colour photograph of Gal Gadot in 2016.
As of 2017, the Israeli actress Gal Gadot is the most recent winner of FHM's 100 Sexiest Women.

Alongside the 100 Sexiest Women list, FHM has also twice published a "Most Eligible Bachelorettes" list, in 2006 and 2007, to celebrate qualities such as "talent, star quality and cash".[3] These lists were topped by the American actress Mischa Barton and the American socialite Kimberly Stewart, respectively. To commemorate the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the 100 Sexiest Women list, two one-off charts were compiled in April 2004 and May 2014, to recognise the sexiest women up to those points. The winner of the 2004 list was English singer Louise Redknapp, who had placed on every 100 Sexiest list since 1996, while the 2014 chart topper was singer Rachel Stevens, who had peaked at number two in 2001, 2002 and 2004.

History

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The first 100 Sexiest Women list was published in 1995, and was compiled exclusively by a panel of 250 judges. German supermodel Claudia Schiffer topped the inaugural chart.[4] The following year's poll was the first to be opened up to the general public. A total of 10,000 votes were cast, with American actress Gillian Anderson being announced as the winner in September. A spokesman for FHM described her as the "thinking man's crumpet" and a "surprise winner". Anderson had posed half-naked on the front cover of the magazine earlier that year.[5]

 
The 1999 "100 Sexiest Women" poll was launched by projecting a 60 ft (18 m) naked image of Gail Porter onto the Palace of Westminster.[6]

Over subsequent years, the list's popularity continued to grow. The 1998 poll was voted on by half a million readers, with its companion issue being sold sealed inside a plastic cover.[7] Martin Daubney, a former features editor of FHM, noted that it added a "sense of mystique and occasion" to the issue, which went on to sell 936,000 copies.[8] The issue's cover girl was British TV presenter Cat Deeley, who had placed at number seven; the 100 Sexiest winner was Playboy model Jenny McCarthy.[9] The following year, FHM publicists promoted the poll by projecting a 60 ft naked image of British TV presenter Gail Porter onto the front of the Palace of Westminster.[6] A FHM spokesman remarked: "We want to up the voting frenzy for the poll ... It is a cheeky way of increasing interest."[6] Porter was placed at number eight in the chart that year, while American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar was number one.[10]

The first person to top the 100 Sexiest Women list more than once was American singer Jennifer Lopez, who placed at number one in both 2000 and 2001.[nb 1] Speaking about being named the sexiest woman in the world for a second year running, Lopez said that she was "overwhelmed" and added: "Any woman who says they don't like being called sexy, they're lying."[11] By 2002, the list was attracting over five million votes – that year, Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova was number one.[12] A further five million votes were cast the following year, when American actress Halle Berry was named as the world's sexiest. At 36 years old, Berry was the oldest woman to top the list.[13] She responded: "Wow, that's a pretty heady title. I'm not so sure I live up to it, but thank you anyway."[14] The first British woman to top the listing was the model Kelly Brook, who was named the world's sexiest in 2005, the most successful poll to that point.[15] As of 2017, Brook has been featured in the top ten of FHM's 100 Sexiest Women ten times, which is more than any other entrant.[16]

The 2011 list was noted for being the first to include a transgender woman. The androgynous model Andrej Pejić was voted at number 98 on the poll.[17][18] FHM caused controversy when the entry's accompanying blurb warned its readers to "pass the sick bucket" and described Pejic as a "thing". Following a backlash, FHM removed the text from their website, spoke directly with Pejić and issued a public apology, saying that the online entry "wasn't subbed prior to going live".[17] The final 100 Sexiest Women poll to be voted for by the public was published in 2015, before FHM went out of print in January the following year.[19] The list included its oldest entrant ever, 80-year-old food writer Mary Berry, who was placed at number 74,[20] while the sexiest woman that year was British actress Michelle Keegan.[21] Speaking in November 2015 as FHM suspended its print publication, a spokesman reflected that the poll was what the magazine was best known for, and that it had "helped propel the careers of many well-known actresses, musicians and models".[22][23] Subsequent 100 Sexiest Women lists have been compiled by FHM's writers themselves, and have been published on FHM.com. As of December 2017, the most recent winner is Gal Gadot.[24]

100 Sexiest Women winners

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100 Sexiest Women
Year Winner Top ten Ref.
1995  
Claudia Schiffer
[4]
1996  
Gillian Anderson
[5]
1997  
Teri Hatcher
[5]
1998  
Jenny McCarthy
[9]
1999  
Sarah Michelle Gellar
[10]
2000  
Jennifer Lopez
[10]
2001  
Jennifer Lopez
[25]
2002  
Anna Kournikova
[12]
2003  
Halle Berry
[14]
2004  
Britney Spears
[26]
2005  
Kelly Brook
[16]
2006  
Keira Knightley
[27]
2007  
Jessica Alba
[28]
2008  
Megan Fox
[29]
2009  
Cheryl Cole
[30]
2010  
Cheryl Cole
[31]
2011  
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
[18]
2012  
Tulisa
[32]
2013  
Mila Kunis
[33]
2014  
Jennifer Lawrence
[34]
2015  
Michelle Keegan
[21]
2016  
Margot Robbie
[35]
2017  
Gal Gadot
[24]

Most Eligible Bachelorettes

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Alongside the 100 Sexiest Women list, FHM also twice published a "Most Eligible Bachelorettes" list, which compiled women based on their "eligibility" and was voted for by the magazine's readership.[36] Unlike the 100 Sexiest Women list, this list also considered qualities such as "talent, star quality and cash" as well as sex appeal in its compilation.[3] Similar lists published by the US version of FHM had been topped by women such as model Lauren Bush and socialite Paris Hilton.[3]

The 2006 list was voted for by more than 3,000 FHM readers, and was published in March of that year. It was topped by American actress Mischa Barton.[36] Speaking about the result, FHM editor Ross Brown remarked: "Our most eligible list consists of much more than just sex appeal and our readers recognise a good catch when they see one."[37] The following year, the Most Eligible Bachelorettes list was topped by American socialite Kimberly Stewart.[38] The list received over 10,000 votes from FHM's readership, and was featured in the April 2007 issue of the magazine. An FHM spokesperson stated: "Kimberly Stewart has all the attributes you want in a woman. She's rich, gorgeous, likes to party and she's the daughter of a legend."[39]

Most Eligible Bachelorettes
Year Winner Top ten Ref.
2006  
Mischa Barton
[36]
2007 Kimberly Stewart [39]

Anniversary lists

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On two occasions, FHM has produced special lists to mark anniversaries of the 100 Sexiest Women chart. To commemorate the tenth edition of the poll in May 2004, FHM published a list ranking the 50 sexiest women of the previous ten years. The list was topped by the English singer Louise Redknapp, who had placed on every 100 Sexiest list since 1996.[40] Ten years later, in May 2014, FHM published a list of the "Sexiest Women of All Time", compiled using a new analysis based on the previous 20 years' worth of polls. The winner was the English singer Rachel Stevens.[41] Stevens had been featured on 11 lists at that point, but had never been placed first on any of the annual lists, instead peaking at number two in 2001, 2002 and 2004.[41] On learning the result, she remarked: "To win this award feels absolutely amazing. ... It's brilliant."[40]

Sexiest Women of the Decade
Year Winner Top ten Ref.
2004  
Louise Redknapp
[40]
Sexiest Women of All Time
Year Winner Top ten Ref.
2014  
Rachel Stevens
[42]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b As of 2017, the only people to top the list more than once are Jennifer Lopez and Cheryl.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Rachel Stevens Is Officially The Sexiest Woman Of All Time". FHM.com. 30 March 2016. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  2. ^ Daubney, Martin (18 November 2015). "FHM was a bible for normal men. It will be missed (even by those who campaigned for its death)". The Daily Telegraph. London. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  3. ^ a b c "Mischa most eligible". Metro. London. 23 February 2006. ISSN 1469-6215. OCLC 225917520. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  4. ^ a b Croce, Maria; Spavin, Vicky (27 October 2001). "From Mags to Riches". Daily Record. Glasgow: Trinity Mirror. ISSN 0956-8069. OCLC 500344244. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "The Top 100". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. 6 September 1996. OCLC 223228477. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "Porter lights up London". BBC News. London. 28 May 1999. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  7. ^ "Sexy? Only If You're a Lad with Sticky Fingers and a Dirty Mind". Daily Record. Glasgow: Trinity Mirror. 29 May 1998. p. 18. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  8. ^ FHM: The Last of the Lads' Mags. 4 January 2016. ITV. ITV.
  9. ^ a b "Sexiest women in the world". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. 29 May 1998. OCLC 223228477. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  10. ^ a b c "FHM's top 100 women". BBC News. London. 28 May 1999. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  11. ^ Tooze, Steve (19 May 2001). "J-Lo's two sexy". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. OCLC 223228477. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Anna K named world's sexiest". The Age. Melbourne: Fairfax. 27 May 2002. ISSN 0312-6307. OCLC 224060909. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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  14. ^ a b "Beauty has a new Hallemark". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle upon Tyne: Trinity Mirror. 23 May 2003. Archived from the original on 30 November 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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  18. ^ a b "Top 100 des plus belles femmes du monde" [Top 100 most beautiful women in the world]. Jet-Set (in French). 27 October 2011. Archived from the original on 28 October 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  19. ^ Wells, Jonathan (7 January 2016). "Holly Willoughby revealed as cover star of last ever FHM". The Daily Telegraph. London. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 8 January 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  20. ^ Selby, Jenn (28 April 2015). "Mary Berry beats Jennifer Lopez in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World list". The Independent. London: Independent Print. ISSN 0951-9467. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Three Caribbean beauties make FHM 100 Sexiest Women 2015". London: Caribbean360. Archived from the original on 6 May 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  22. ^ "An Announcement Regarding FHM and Zoo Magazines". Hamburg: Bauer Media. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  23. ^ Sims, Alexandra (17 November 2015). "FHM and Zoo magazines suspend publication". The Independent. London: Independent Print. ISSN 0951-9467. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  24. ^ a b "The 100 Sexiest Women In The World, 2017". London: FHM.com. 30 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  25. ^ Tooze, Steve (18 May 2001). "HELLO, SEXY; Lopez is No 1 beauty". Daily Mirror. London: Reach plc. OCLC 223228477. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  26. ^ "Sexiest girl in the world". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. 25 March 2004. OCLC 223228477. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  27. ^ "FHM's 100 Sexiest Women in the World". London Evening Standard. 27 April 2006. ISSN 2041-4404. OCLC 875133129. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  28. ^ "Alba crowned 'world's sexiest woman'". London Evening Standard. 26 April 2007. ISSN 2041-4404. OCLC 875133129. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  29. ^ "Hot property: Kirstie Allsopp joins FHM 'Sexiest Women' list". London Evening Standard. London. 24 April 2008. ISSN 2041-4404. OCLC 875133129. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
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  31. ^ "Full list of FHM's top 100 world's sexiest women". Metro. London. 29 April 2010. ISSN 1469-6215. OCLC 225917520. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  32. ^ Fuller, Bonnie, ed. (2 May 2012). "Rihanna Tops FHM Magazine's 100 Sexiest Women List". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 20 January 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  33. ^ Papantoniou, Margarita (2 May 2013). "Salpa FHM's 10th Sexiest Woman". Greekreporter.com. Greek Reporter. Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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  35. ^ "The 100 Sexiest Women In The World, 2016". London: FHM.com. 29 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 January 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  36. ^ a b c West, Dave (23 February 2006). "Poll says Mischa is most eligible Brit". London: Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 28 January 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  37. ^ "Mischa is most eligible". London Evening Standard. 23 February 2006. ISSN 2041-4404. OCLC 875133129. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
  38. ^ Noah, Sherna (1 March 2007). "Kimberly Stewart is voted world's most eligible woman". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  39. ^ a b "Beatrice 'third most eligible woman'". Manchester Evening News. Trinity Mirror. 1 March 2007. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  40. ^ a b c "Sexy Louise Is Hottest Babe in a Decade". London: Sky News. 27 May 2004. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
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