Idris Elba Named People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” For 2018; Announcement Made During “Fallon”

The announcement came during Monday’s “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Idris Elba on a 2017 episode of Fallon | Andrew Lipovsky/NBC

In addition to an appearance by Dr. Evil, a performance by Carly Rae Jepsen and interviews with Sam Heughan and Rachel Maddow, Monday’s “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” featured a big pop culture announcement.

Jimmy Fallon revealed People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for 2018.

The honoree is immensely popular actor Idris Elba. Elba, 46, succeeds previous winner Blake Shelton.

Along with briefly (and graciously) discussing the honor, Elba offered a “smolder” and “shy smile” for “The Tonight Show” viewers.

In conjunction with the “Fallon” announcement, PEOPLE posted a web version of its cover story on this year’s Sexiest Man Alive.

Brian Cantor

Brian Cantor is the editor-in-chief for Headline Planet. He has been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and sporting spaces since 2002. Brian's reporting has been cited by major websites like BuzzFeed, Billboard, the New Yorker and The Fader -- and shared by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. Contact Brian at brian.cantor[at]headlineplanet.com.