The Mission: Impossible star, who stands at 5 foot 7 inches (1.73 metres), has wooed taller women including Nicole Kidman and current partner Katie Holmes, with his Oscar-winning ex-wife famously stating the best thing about divorcing the star was being able to wear high-heeled shoes again.

But despite his diminutive stature, Cruise is still towering over the competition, sitting atop a poll to find the most fanciable short man, according to market research company www.OnePoll.com.

He beat out competition from British TV presenter Richard Hammond, who is in second place, followed by 5 foot 4 inches (1.6 metres) musician Jamie Cullum - who married super-tall model Sophie Dahl at the weekend (09Jan10).

Newly single racing car driver Lewis Hamilton, 5 foot 8 inches (1.8 metres) and Take That star Mark Owen, 5 foot 6 inches (1.7 metres) round out the top five.

Other small stars to make the grade include Scottish actor James McAvoy, Stereophonics rocker Kelly Jones, and The Full Monty star Robert Carlyle.