It's out. Every year People magazine names the celebrity fella its staffers consider to be the Sexiest Man Alive, and this year the honour went to a Sydney-dwelling father of two whose name always sounds to me like he has a Huge Ackman. Whatever an Ackman could possibly be. Use your imagination.

Sexy, of course, is always subjective. One woman's David Beckham is another's David Hasselhoff. Different strokes for different folks and all that.

So Hugh Jackman, star of the upcoming Baz Luhrmann epic Australia, six foot two, buff, with two kids and a wife of 12 years, was crowned the world's foxiest fella.

Self-deprecating and gracious with his fans, Jackman is a true gentleman. No complaining about paparazzi. Renowned for being talented and hard working. But is he really the sexiest man in Tinseltown?

"A romantic in a hard body," the mag calls him, and of course, that doesn't sound too shabby.

"What was your wife's response?" the mag asked him in this week's interview after claiming the title.

God bless her, she said, "I could've told them that years ago!" Jackman replied. "And then she (Jackman's wife Deborra-Lee Furness) said, "Obviously, Brad wasn't available this year."

And that is certainly what more Hollywood hotshots need - a down to earth woman to keep their heads from getting way too big.

Apparently Jackman's main competition came from 007 himself, Mr Daniel Craig. I've always thought he was fit. And I'm amongst good company, since the 40-year-old has had flings with both Kate Moss and Sienna Miller over the years.

Now happily involved with producer Satsuki Mitchell, whom he's said to adore, Craig was catapulted to superstardom when he took on the role of James Bond in Casino Royale. Audiences were captivated by his piercing blue eyes as much as they were by his buff bod in a tiny pair of swimming trunks.

God, this is getting to sound like a Mills and Boon novel.

There's an air of the bad boy about Craig, although there's nothing to indicate that's true in real life. He's apparently very personable, and loves to work. He's extremely private, almost to the point of shyness. He loves a drink, and he's good looking without coming across as vain. I can't see him being the type of bloke to own more hair product that you, can you?

I don't need someone to be pinching my straightening irons and trying on my under-eye concealer.

Javier Bardem, who won an Oscar this year for his role in No Country For Old Men should have been a strong contender for the title. Apart from the way he looked in No Country For Old Men, of course. That bowl cut would give a girl nightmares!

Actually, I can't decide between him and Daniel Craig. Swoon! If only that was a choice that I had to make. No offence, husband.

If you fancy yourself a little slice of Spain, I recommend you go and see the new Woody Allen flick Vicky Cristina Barcelona which comes out in New Zealand in late December. Scha-wing! That Penelope Cruz is one lucky senorita.

Forget the little tween stars. There's a man! An hombre, even.

The choices have got to be timely, which I completely understand. They couldn't go round suggesting Burt Reynolds or Tom Selleck, much as they still probably tingle a few ladies' loins.

Hot TV shows (like Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick or Mad Men'sJon Hamm) or a role in one of the year's much-hyped blockbusters (Twilight's Robert Pattinson) don't hurt either.

As an example see one of this year's sporting picks, Michael Phelps. He looked the same last year, but obviously eight gold medals adds more than a few ticks to his column. And that body is something else. Those meaner than I would say pity about the face, but I don't think he's too shabby.

Last year's winner was Matt Damon, who's grown on me over time as he hit his thirties and as the Bourne trilogy of movies progressed. Not Ben Affleck so much, though. I'm not into the chinny thing. Over the years they've gone for the cheesy beefcake (Matthew McConaughey), one half of a hot couple of the moment (Affleck, 2003) and the debonair singleton (George Clooney, tied with Brad Pitt as the only blokes to win it twice). Hell, even Tom Cruise had his time in the sun - but it was 18 years ago.

Johnny Depp's also a past winner, although if I had my way he would win it every year. Is Hugh Jackman hotter than Johnny? The answer is unequivocally ‘no.'

Sometimes the choice that was right for the time doesn't progress so well as the years go by. Jude Law won the title in 2004, and to look back at pictures of him from four years ago only emphasizes how balding, greasy and bloated looking he's become today. And to think I used to fancy him! Blegh.

I'm too old for Ed Westwick, and he's not my type. Zac Efron looks like a child with too much foundation on, but I can see that the pair of them would have their fans.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Zac from the classic teen show Saved By The Bell, for those of you who remember), belongs back in the early 90s. I see Josh Jackson, I see Pacey from Dawson's Creek. Not hot.

David Beckham I get. He's hot, but not my type. David Beckham on a list of hotties is like having ‘American Pie' on the playlist for your boozy house party. You have to have it there, but it's not necessarily your favourite. And some people will always like it a lot more than others. Plus, the minute he opened his mouth I would be outta there. Mickey Mouse meets Essex is so not hot.

I don't mind a bit of Sean Penn. Liam Neeson. Adrien Brody. Michael Madsen. And a bit of Colin Farrell.

Who would've got your vote for Sexiest Man Alive? And was Hugh Jackman a worthy winner? Let me know below.