Proving once again that a sex tape doesn't have to be the nail in the career coffin, Tulisa has come out on top on this year's FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World poll.

The former N-Dubz star beat two-time winner Cheryl Cole into second place and stole the crown from last year's winner, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Commenting on her win, Tulisa said: “Thank you so much for voting for me. It’s a true honour and definitely a lovely confidence boost. I’m proud of me and I am who I am. I know that I’m marmite and I wouldn’t wanna be anything less or anything more, I’m just myself.

"The FHM shoot is without a doubt the sexiest thing I’ve ever done. I believe in embracing being sexy but I’m not one to agree with stripping off for the cameras, I like to be more subtle than that as these shots show. This is an award that will stay on the mantelpiece probably for the rest of my life.”

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Tulisa’s victory makes it the fourth victory in a row for Brit girls. Cheryl Cole made history in 2010 by becoming the first British woman to win the prestigious accolade for two consecutive years, before model and Transformers star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley took last year’s title.

The only other Brits to win title during the poll’s 18-year history are Keira Knightley in 2006 and Kelly Brook in 2005.

Cheryl Cole is back in the top 10 dropping out of last year to fellow pop princess Katy Perry down into sixth.

Rihanna has retained her position at number three for a consecutive year while British model Rosie Jones is a re-entry into fourth place after failing to rank last year.

Loading Slideshow

• Cheryl Cole (Getty)

• Rihanna (Getty)

• Rosie Jones (REX Features)

• Georgia Salpa (Getty)

• Katy Perry (Getty)

• Megan Fox (Getty)

• Keeley Hazell (Getty)

• Mila Kunis (PA)

• Emily Atack (PA)

• Pippa Middleton (PA)

• Pixie Lott (Getty)

• Daisy Lowe (Getty)

• Mollie King (Getty)

• Millie Mackintosh (PA)

• Jessie J (PA)

• Zooey Deschanel (Getty)

• Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Getty)

• Frankie Sandford (PA)

• Kelly Brook (PA)

Also making the Top 10 are Hollywood sex symbol and 2008 champion Megan Fox, glamour model Keeley Hazell, Friends With Benefits actress Mila Kunis and The Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack.

Pippa Middleton is the highest ranking royal at number 1 but despite creeping up seven places since 2011, her sister, Kate Middleton aka The Duchess of Cambridge could only manage 32nd place.

Joe Barnes, Editor of FHM, said: “Iit’s fantastic to see such a strong British showing, with three quarters of the top 20 coming from the UK and Ireland. Big congratulations go out to Tulisa, who’s had a sensational year, and I’m sure will only go on to bigger and better things over the next 12 months.”

Top 20 FHM Sexiest Women in the World 2011

1. Tulisa Contostavlos (RE-ENTRY; 15 in 2010)
2. Cheryl Cole (12)
3. Rihanna (3)
4. Rosie Jones (re-entry; 77 in 2010)
5. Georgia Salpa HIGHEST NEW ENTRY
6. Katy Perry (2)
7. Megan Fox (4)
8. Keeley Hazell (RE-ENTRY; 2nd in 2006, 2007 and 5th in 2009, 2010)
9. Mila Kunis (16)
10. Emily Atack (18)
11. Pippa Middleton NEW ENTRY
12. Pixie Lott (31)
13. Daisy Lowe (29)
14. Mollie King NEW ENTRY
15. Millie Mackintosh NEW ENTRY
16. Jessie J (55)
17. Zooey Deschanel NEW ENTRY
18. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (1)
19. Frankie Sandford (22)
20. Kelly Brook (8)

FHM's 100 Sexiest supplement, featuring the hottest women in the world, comes free with the June edition of FHM magazine, on sale now

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