The competition
Matt was up against a host of other Hollywood hotties, including David Beckham, Jake Gyllenhaal, Matthew McConaughey, Justin Timberlake, Will Smith and his Ocean's Thirteen co-stars Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

And Grey's Anatomy's Dr McDreamy, Patrick Dempsey, who was pipped to the sexy post, admitted that he wasn't surprised about coming in second, saying, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."

The campaign
Matt's ‘campaign' for the title began six years ago in 2001, when both George Clooney and Brad Pitt "shamelessly" started campaigning on his behalf.

"When we were lobbying for him in previous years, I don't think he was ready for it," revealed George. "It takes some maturity. Now I think he can handle the pressure."

"The very first time I noticed [his sexiness] was when he was in a green Speedo in The Talented Mr Ripley," added George. "I remember thinking to myself, ‘Not since Halle Berry coming out of the water in the Bond film has there been such sexiness.'" But even George admits Matt needed some fine-tuning - "Brad and I worked with him a lot on his walk and his posture."