Twenty five year-old Capetonian Lyndall Jarvis walked away with top honours this year as the FHM Sexiest Woman in the World, after more than a million record-breaking votes were received.

First introduced to FHM readers in the FHM Calendar 2008 as the May beauty, her fierce blue eyes and full lips made her an instant hit with FHM readers across the country.

Another appearance in FHM followed in November 2008 with the annual FHM Lingerie supplement, after which Jarvis secured her first FHM cover in April 2009 — one of the best-selling issues of the year.

Sexy and vivacious

The sexy and vivacious Jarvis even has a video-game character modelled on her as one of the central bosses in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Actress Megan Fox clinched the international title for the second year running.

Jarvis says that she received a message to call FHM Editor Hagen Engler, who shared the news that she was about to be crowned as the FHM Sexiest Woman in the World after more than a million votes were received.

"I was ecstatic and it was the first call of the morning. What a way to start your day! It's such a great feeling and something I didn't expect at all. I did a little happy dance in my living room."

Describing the accomplishment as something that means a great deal to her, Jarvis says that "it's an awesome feeling knowing that people actually voted for me. I believe it's going to open many doors for me, so let's just wait and see."

'She's a showgirl'

Engler says that he can see exactly why FHM readers find her so sexy. "She's a showgirl, a party girl who is not only gorgeous to look at, but also exciting and vivacious to be around. She's unpretentious, has a special aura about her and knows how to turn on her sex-appeal when it counts.

"To see her work in front of the camera is awesome, and it's the killer shoots she did for FHM that no doubt won our readers over. In fact, I'm looking forward to Lyndall's forthcoming FHM cover shoot for the August issue rather more than I should!"

Jarvis won the lucrative title this year by a narrow victory. "There were five girls battling it out for supremacy at the top of the FHM 100 Sexiest poll. We are delighted however that Lyndall is our worthy winner," Engler says.

Jarvis admits that she may be a bit biased when referring to Lee-Ann Liebenberg and Tracey McGregor as her favourite winners of the title in previous years, due to the fact that they are close friends of hers.

Describing herself as "thoughtful, fun-loving, honest, friendly and someone who would do anything for the people I care about", the natural beauty says that highlights of her career thus far included appearing in the annual FHM Calendar in Madagascar, and other modelling opportunities in Bali and the Canary Islands.

She loves to travel so all foreign trips are highlights for her. Commenting that one of her greatest talents is to use her BlackBerry 24 hours straight, she adds: "I'm only joking. I am however very persuasive if that counts?"

Born and raised in Cape Town, Jarvis lived in Los Angeles for two and a half years, but promises that she is now back for good. Future plans include buying her own house next year and to start studying again. When not working, she spends time in the gym, running errands or her latest obsession — cooking.

FHM's Engler says his advice for Jarvis would be to translate this opportunity into a lucrative modelling career, or use the publicity to launch a career in another field like acting or TV presenting, if she chooses to do so. "She's already conquered the worlds of fashion and computer gaming, so there's nothing she can't do now..."

Sad news for FHM readers who have fallen in love with Jarvis, is that she is very much involved.

"I'm a very lucky girl! I have a wonderful boyfriend who treats me like a princess. We've been together for a year and we recently moved in together. He's a typical South African who loves the outdoors and sport, especially rugby. In fact the only thing we disagree about is that he supports the Sharks and I support the Stormers — no comment on the Super 14!"

In conclusion, Jarvis says that she would like to thank everyone who voted for her. "You guys are awesome. Thank you, thank you, thank you..."

The July issue of FHM, with the special FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World supplement, is on sale now. For more information, visit www.fhm.co.za.