Hugh Jackman - Sexiest Man Alive Sick of Gay Slur

20 November 2008

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Aussie movie hunk Hugh Jackman has been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.

After agonising over a list of eligible, high profile film stars, musicians and athletes, editors at the magazine named the 40-year-old its number one of 2008.

Jackman succeeds last year's (07) top man Matt Damon, and George Clooney who took the title the year before (06).

My wife (Deborra-Lee Furness) said, 'I could have told them that two years ago,' Then she said, 'Obviously Brad Pitt wasn't available this year.'

In a special edition of the weekly magazine, there were honourable mentions for handsome contenders Daniel Craig, Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, Seal, Robert Downey Jr., Will Smith, Christian Bale and David Beckham.

Potential future title holders Kevin Jonas, Bow Wow and Jessie McCarthy were also mentioned among People's Men of the Year.

Meanwhile, Jackman has responded modestly to news of his sexy status: "My wife (Deborra-Lee Furness) said, 'I could have told them that two years ago,' Then she said, 'Obviously Brad Pitt wasn't available this year.'" Meanwhile the Australian movie star Hugh Jackman is infuriated and exhausted with the gay rumours that have plagued him throughout his career.

Speculation about the 40-year-old's sexuality reached a peak when he starred as gay entertainer Peter Allen in a Broadway production of The Boy from Oz - when his actress wife Deborra-Lee Furness took on the role of rumour-crusher.

Jackman says, "Debs saw the show about 50 times. She said the most infuriating times would be in the bathroom because all she'd hear is, 'Is he or isn't he gay?.. I don't know, he's married... Oh, who cares, I'm sure he's gay.' And she used to call out from the stall, 'He's not gay. I'm telling you he's not.' And there would be silence until someone said, 'I think that's his wife.'" Jackman, who married Furness in 1996, has just been named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.