The Thor star has topped a poll conducted by Total Film magazine to find the most desirable screen hunks in the world, beating Twilight star Robert Pattinson into second place.

Other actors to make the top 10 included Ryan Gosling in third place, Benedict Cumberbatch in fourth, sixth placed Tom Hardy and Robert Downey Jr. in ninth place.

Hiddleston, 31, is surprised to beat so many famous handsome faces to the title, but is very flattered by the honour.

He told the publication: "Thank you, ladies. You are women of impeccable taste and style. My god, you know how to make a man feel good!"

Total Film polled more than 25 000 readers to find their Sexiest Actor and Sexiest Actress.

Other entries in the women’s top 10 included second placed Scarlett Johansson, Twilight Saga actress Kristen Stewart, who came third, fifth placed Mila Kunis - who has won numerous sexiest polls - and Zooey Deschanel in eighth.

Total Film magazine's 50 Sexiest Stars in Movies Right Now, actor top 10 and actress top 10:

Sexiest Actor:
1. Tom Hiddleston
2. Robert Pattinson
3. Ryan Gosling
4. Benedict Cumberbatch
5. Richard Armitage
6. Tom Hardy
7. Alan Rickman
8. Michael Fassbender
9. Robert Downey Jr.
10. Chris Hemsworth

Sexiest Actress:
1. Jennifer Lawrence
2. Scarlett Johansson
3. Kristen Stewart
4. Emma Stone
5. Mila Kunis
6. Emma Watson
7. Anne Hathaway
8. Zooey Deschanel
9. Natalie Portman
10. Charlize Theron