Oprah Winfrey has replaced Tom Cruise as the �world�s most powerful celebrity� according to Forbes magazines.

The publication�s influential �Celebrity 100 Power List� put the TV host at the top of showbiz tree based on her earnings and �buzz�, after a number three placing last year.

Editor Lea Goldman commented, "She is pretty much a top five perennial, just based on her earnings alone she usually ranks up there."

Tom Cruise�s slide was reflected with a number eight positioning, whilst golf star Tiger Woods was a perhaps surprising number two.

Madonna was number three, the Rolling Stones number four whilst Brad Pitt managed to beat his partner Angelina Jolie by nine rungs by taking a massive leap from 20th to number five.