Justin Timberlake has told his pin-up rivals Brad Pitt and George Clooney he intends on keeping hold of his sexiest man in the world title for "as long as I can".

The pop star was recently named King of Sex by Rolling Stone magazine and Timberlake told Barbara Walters in a new TV interview he's intent on defending his title.

"I'll hold onto that title for as long as I can," he said. "Brad, George, you guys may be on the most beautiful whatever but uh... eat your heart out boys!"